Arena (1989)

In the heart of a bustling starstation, a cosmic hub of interstellar cultures, lies the most exhilarating arena fighting tournament in the galaxy. A spectacle of brute force and cunning, where champions of various alien species compete in gritty one-on-one battles for the ultimate honor of galactic supremacy. Steve Armstrong, a human short-order cook with unassuming courage, finds himself thrust into this interstellar colosseum after a brawl at his fast-food job. Steve, an unlikely hero, is a kitchen virtuoso in a fast-food joint, where his only companion is Shorty, a scheming four-armed alien waiter. When Steve defends Shorty from a belligerent alien patron, their brawl triggers their ejection by the restaurant's automated A.I. Jobless and facing expulsion from the starstation, their fortunes change when Quinn, a tough-as-nails human fighting promoter in desperate need of fresh talent, witnesses Steve's impromptu fight and sees potential. In a galaxy where humans have been perennial underdogs, easily defeated by physically superior alien species, Steve enters the tournament as a beacon of hope. Guided by Shorty's persuasion, Steve embarks on a journey filled with trials and tribulations, raising the spirits of humanity spread across the stars. His unexpected success rattles Rogor, the corrupt organizer who holds the tournament in his iron grip. Intrigued by Steve's resilience, the ethereal Jade also begins to take notice. As Steve ascends the ranks, he grapples not only with formidable opponents but also his own insecurities and the weight of the hopes pinned on him. All the while, Rogor, aided by his sycophantic sidekick Weezil, plots to crush Steve's uprising, fearing the threat he poses to his crooked empire. Steve must navigate this treacherous path, battling both the corruption of the system and his own self-doubts. In this cosmic arena, he stands as humanity's last hope, a symbol of resilience against the towering might of alien behemoths. Will he rise to the challenge or crumble under the weight of expectation?

Arena is an action movie featuring Paul Satterfield.

Arena is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel and fuboTV.