Plot Synopsis

Each one-hour episode of KINGS OF PAIN follows wildlife biologist Adam Thorn and professional animal handler Rob 'Caveman' Alleva, as they track an animal in its natural habitat, safely trap it and then execute the bite or sting on each other, followed by their ranking of the pain results.

In 1983 entomologist Dr. Justin O. Schmidt began ranking stinging insects on a scale from 1-4, putting himself in harm's way for science while creating the Schmidt sting pain index and authoring the book "The Sting of The Wild." Now, Thorn and Alleva are taking Schmidt's pain index even further adding venomous bites and more deadly creatures and ranking them on a 30-point scale with new categories including intensity, duration and damage. Their goal is to create history's ultimate and fully comprehensive guide to measuring pain. In addition, they consult with Schmidt as they build this new pain index that is completely new to science to be used as an educational tool showcasing which creatures humans should avoid and what to do in the event they do get bitten or stung.

An onsite medic is present who monitors the health and well-being of both men and describes to viewers exactly what physical and physiological effects each bite and/or sting is creating within their bodies. Along their journey, viewers also learn about the history of each animal featured and its often-uncomfortable relationship with humans. Deadly wildlife featured over this eight-episode season include the Nile monitor lizard, executioner wasp, fire urchin, rove beetle, lionfish, scorpion fish, bullet ant, piranha, tarantula hawk, giant Asian centipede and the reticulated python -- to name a few. Audiences also get the chance to travel the world from the remote jungles of Bolivia, the Amazon and Indonesia to the beaches of Bali, South Africa, Mexico and Baja California.

In the series opener, "Nightmare in a Box," Adam and Caveman Rob pursue the fabled Executioner Wasp, Warrior Wasp, and Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula in a Bolivian jungle. One causes a medical emergency, and another delivers a nightmarish bite that leaves Adam's arm partially paralyzed.


The sophomore season of KINGS OF PAIN premiered on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 10:30pm ET/PT on History Channel. On a mission to test as many animals as possible and continue to build upon entomologist Dr. Justin O. Schmidt's 1983 sting pain index, Season 2 captures Thorn and Alleva testing both native and non-native species from all around the world from a centralized location in southern California to maximize their time. Following in the footsteps of season one, each one-hour episode chronicles both men as they safely extract the animals and execute the bite or sting on each other. They then rank their average pain results including intensity, duration and damage and provide personal footage of the shocking aftermath and side effects. Onsite medic and venom expert, Dr. Ben Abo returns to monitor their health and well-being over more than two dozen stings and bites and to describe to viewers exactly what physical and physiological reactions are occurring within their bodies. Along this journey, viewers also learn about the history of each animal and its often-uncomfortable relationship with humans. Deadly wildlife featured over this ten-episode season includes the orange baboon tarantula, black-throated monitor lizard, red imported fire ants, brown widow, giant desert centipede, horrid king assassin bug, double bar rabbitfish, electric eel, California horn shark and blue tang -- to name a few.
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On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 10:30pm ET/PT, History Channel premiered "Stinging Sharks," the Season 2 finale of KINGS OF PAIN. It's America vs. Australia in a battle royale of pain administered by sharks. But after getting stung by both, Adam and Rob realize that when their countries win, they lose.