the final two contestants face off in a two-part challenge. the first part is not an elimination challenge; it is designed to wear down the contestants. once the first part is completed, both contestants proceed immediately into the pit to determine a winner. the pit is always featured as the final individual challenge to determine the episode's overall winner, with no rest period except for the player who completed the previous challenge first. beginning in the second season, a rule was instituted that the second contestant must enter the pit within one minute of the first contestant or he/she is disqualified. the pit is a circular dirt ring resembling an amateur wrestling circle or a sumo wrestling ring, measuring 15 feet wide. once both players have entered the pit, a signal is given, and the two contestants wrestle each other. the first person able to force their opponent out of the ring is declared the winner. takedowns may occur but they do not apply toward the final outcome. the style of the pit is very similar to the conquer portion of the breakthrough & conquer event of "american gladiators".