in the 2003 tmnt cartoon, he possesses a significant reputation as a ninja master; in a multi-part episode, he is revealed to be a champion of the battle nexus, a multi-dimension-spanning contest where the greatest combatants of various dimensions come together to fight each other for the title of battle nexus champion. when the turtles learn of the battle nexus, they participate as well, resulting in splinter forfeiting when called upon to fight michelangelo, as he wishes to allow his sons the opportunity to fight where he succeeded in the past.