Ep 1. Nightmare in a Box

Kings of Pain season 1 episode 1 "Nightmare in a Box" follows two fearless hosts, Adam Thorn and Rob "Caveman" Alleva, as they take on the ultimate challenge in their dangerous careers. Their goal is to determine just how much pain different venomous and dangerous creatures can inflict on humans, by subjecting themselves to their bites and stings.

In this debut episode, Thorn and Alleva are in search of the most painful insect sting in the world. They begin their search in Central America, where they meet their guide and mentor, Dr. Mario Lazo, an expert in venomous creatures. Dr. Lazo takes the two seasoned hosts to a remote area in the jungle, where they come across an unidentified species of ant. They quickly realize that this ant is not to be underestimated after seeing its powerful mandibles.

Thorn and Alleva capture the ants and bring them back to the lab where Dr. Lazo has carefully prepared a "nightmare in a box" - a glass enclosure filled with dozens of the venomous ants. As their first challenge, the hosts must each insert their hand into the box and keep it there for 30 seconds, enduring the excruciating pain caused by the ants' venomous bites.

The experiment starts, and it's clear from the hosts' faces that the pain is almost unbearable. Their hands quickly turn red and begin to swell as the venom spreads throughout their bodies. Just as they think they can't take the pain anymore, their time is up, and they remove their hands from the box.

The hosts are eager to know the results of their first challenge, and Dr. Lazo provides them with the SHU rating system, which measures the pain intensity of ant venom. The ant's venom they just experienced had an SHU rating of 3,000 - four times as painful as a bee sting. However, they are not satisfied, as they are determined to find a species that is even more painful.

Their next stop is Japan, where they are in search of a beastly creature known as the Japanese Giant Hornet. These hornets are known for their deadly attacks on humans, and the hosts are eager to put their limits to the test. They travel to a remote island, where their expert guide, Kazuya Saito, has set up a trap to catch the hornets.

The hosts witness the hornets' deadly venom firsthand as they see the devastating impact it has on a helpless bee. They know that risking a sting from this hornet is not an easy feat and prepare for the worst. With specialized protective gear, the hosts set up their camera equipment to capture the moment of truth.

As they wait for the hornets to enter the trap, they discuss the severity of possible sting. Just one sting could cause paralysis or even death. Finally, the hornets enter the trap, and the hosts are ready to take on the challenge.

After their experience with the "nightmare in a box," they think they can handle anything, but they are soon proved wrong. The sting from the Japanese Giant Hornet is unlike anything they've ever felt. The pain is immediate and excruciating, causing the hosts to writhe in agony.

As they tally up the results, they conclude that the Japanese Giant Hornet's venom is 6 on the SHU scale, the highest rating yet uncovered by humans. Despite the pain they endured, the hosts are eager to continue their search for the most painful sting, knowing the risks but determined to push the limits of their endurance.

Kings of Pain season 1 episode 1 "Nightmare in a Box" is a thrilling and intense look into the world of venomous creatures and their impact on humans. The dynamic hosts, with their daring and fearless attitude, provide a unique perspective on this dangerous and underexplored world. Their search for the most painful sting in the world is just beginning, and viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they watch the hosts endure the unimaginable pain.