Grubba: Difference between revisions

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(Rewrote the history and powers section. I feel this quote will keep from spoiling the events of the chapter to passing readers. Trivia has been integrated into the article.)
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|image=[[Image:Grubba.jpg|200px]]<br>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' artwork for '''Grubba'''
|image=[[Image:Grubba.jpg|200px]]<br>''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' artwork for '''Grubba'''
|full_name=Grubba
|full_name=Grubba
|first_appearance=''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' (2004)
|first_appearance=''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' ([[2004]])
|species=[[Clubba]]
|species=[[Clubba]]
|affiliation=[[Glitz Pit]]
|affiliation=[[Glitz Pit]]
}}
}}
{{quote|I gotta say... Ya'll a coupla slack-jawed idiots, sniffin' 'round my business...|Grubba|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door}}


'''Grubba''' is a pale blue [[Clubba]] from ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''. He plays the role of the manager of the [[Glitz Pit]] during Chapter 3. Grubba was once a champion of the Glitz Pit, but eventually became the manager of the wrestling business. Grubba speaks with a stereotypical southern accent, though it is unknown which region of the [[Mushroom World]] he originates from. Despite the fact that Grubba first appears as a friendly character, he has hidden a dark secret for a long time.
{{Quote|Bein' rich an' famous is diggety-dang DYNAMITE!|Grubba|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door}}


==History==
'''Grubba''' is a major fictional [[character]] in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' who, in his younger years, was a famous martial arts fighter.  Though initially impartial to fame and riches, after becoming rich and famous he fell in love with the good life.  After retiring as a fighter, he became the promoter of the [[Glitz Pit]] in [[Glitzville]].  When he introduced himself to [[Mario]], he claimed to be past his prime, unable to fight in the ring anymore.  During the events of the [[video game]], Grubba is over sixty years old according to [[Bandy Andy]].
===Background===
{{quote|Back in the day, I had so many rump-kickin' moves, they had to make some illegal!|Macho Grubba|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door}}


Long ago, Grubba entered the Glitz Pit as a minor leaguer, just as everyone else does. He was considered a mediocre wrestler for quite some time, when he suddenly starting learning more professional, stylish moves. The reason Grubba's skills increased so greatly so quickly was that he had collected an extremely powerful object &mdash; a [[Crystal Stars|Crystal Star]]. Grubba quickly climbed up the ranks, becoming the champion of the Glitz Pit before long. Grubba's secret to success was never revealed those around him, but he became such an aggressive fighter than the managerial staff of the Glitz Pit at that time had to make some of his moves illegal. The reason for his rapid success was a machine that Grubba had devised that resided beneath the ring of the Glitz Pit. This machine, powered by a Crystal Star, would drain the power from any being it was directed to. Grubba had used this machine to drain various wrestlers of their power in order to give him a boost in strength and endurance for his fights to come. Because of its effect, Grubba called the device the "power-sucking machine."
Initially presented as an uninvolved third party to Mario fight against the [[X-Nauts]] for the [[Crystal Stars]], when Mario discovered his unethical use of the [[Gold Star]], Grubba became an antagonist, wishing to keep his secrets safe. Behind his benevolent, boisterous façade he is dangerously self-centered, viewing situations in terms of benefits and dangers to himself and his lifestyle rather than the moral implications of his actions.


Grubba was clearly a long-running champion of the Glitz Pit, likely winning many tournaments during his reign, (as he had many trophies in his office after becoming manager of the Glitz Pit). However, his secret was eventually discovered by [[Prince Mush]], the original champion of the Glitz Pit. Before Prince Mush had a chance to spread the word, Grubba quickly silenced him; Grubba had brought forth his power-sucking machine and drained him of all his power. Prince Mush soon thereafter vanished without a trace.
==History==
===''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]===
====Early Life====
According to Grubba, in youth he was poor, but even so he did not care for "fancy, big-city ways."  His worldview changed when he became a martial arts fighter.  Though some of his [[Special Moves|moves]] were made illegal as he progressed, he became quite famous and earned enough money for the rest of his life.


As time went on, Grubba aged, becoming less athletic and requiring more power from wrestlers in order to survive the brutal sport of wrestling. How much additional time passed between Grubba's days as champion until he became manager of the Glitz Pit is unknown, though judging by the amount of trophies in his office, it may have been quite some time.
At some point in his life, Grubba attained the Gold Star, a Crystal Star with the ability to increase one's [[attack]] and [[defense]] power by enabling its possessor to use [[Power Lift]]. The details behind Gubba's ownership of the star are never explained, so whether the star was the secret to Grubba's rise to fame is debatable.


===''Paper Mario'' series===
====Glitz Pit====
====''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''====
Despite his fighting prowess, age eventually took a toll on Grubba and, unable to fight in the ring anymore, he was forced to retire from fighting.  However, Grubba opened his own fighting ring, the Glitz Pit, and became its promoter.  The [[Champ's Belt]], the reward for the champion of the Glitz Pit, featured an imitation of Grubba's Gold Star.  At some point following, desiring to regain his fit, youthful body, he developed or obtained blueprints for a [[power-draining machine]] that would use the Gold Star as a power source.  Utilizing the Gold Star, the machine could suck the power out of one people and bestow it onto another individual.  Through the use of the machine, Grubba could power himself up with much more dramatic results than those achievable through Power Lift alone.  He referred to himself as [[Macho Grubba]] when powered up.  Additionally, the machine made him appear younger even when not transformed.  The relation between these events and the [[Dubious Paper]], a research paper about the powers of the Crystal Stars hidden in the the minor-league Glitz Pit locker room at the time of Mario's adventure, are never made clear.
{{quote|GREAT-GALLOPIN' [[Gulpit|GULPITS]]!|Grubba|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door}}


As Grubba became middle-aged, he was granted managerial power over the Glitz Pit. He hired a young female [[Toad (species)|Toad]], known as [[Jolene]] to assist him in managing the Pit. As time went on, contestants would join the Glitz Pit, while others would leave. [[Rawk Hawk]] eventually became champion, and Grubba instantly spoiled him with all he could. Grubba decked out the Champ's Room with soft carpet, a fluffy bed, a sink, gifts, and even a picture of Rawk Hawk himself hanging above the bed. Grubba encouraged Rawk Hawk with every fight he endured. Rawk Hawk even started to fight dirty and bent the rules to the best of his capabilities in order for him to win matches. Though Grubba gave his major-leaguers clean locker rooms, he seemed to show no care for any of its competitors; his minor-leaguers received even less attention, as their locker rooms were worn down and filthy.
To support his poor family, [[Prince Mush]] entered the Glitz Pit as a fighter and became its first champion. Although he became a huge fan favorite, in the words of Grubba "Good fighters ain't nothin' to mess with."  When Mush discovered Grubba's secret, the promoter sucked the power out of him. Whether or not Mush was the first victim of the machine is unknown, but he is the earliest known victim. To the public, including Mush's family, Grubba gave no explanation of Mush's disappearance.  Afterward, Grubba hired a manager, [[Jolene]], who secretly took the job to discover what really happened to Prince Mush, her little brother. Despite Mush discovering his secret, Grubba continued to use the machine.  On one occasion, the snooping Jolene witnessed his transformation into Macho Grubba. Seeing what she was against, she lost nearly all hope that she would avenge her brother.


Eventually, the next champion of the Glitz Pit would arrive in Grubba's office dressed in a red shirt and blue overalls. [[Mario]] barged into Grubba's office during the events of ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'', prepared to sign up and fight. Grubba was quite adamant about getting Mario to sign up, talking about the many luxuries he would find in becoming the champion &mdash; fame and fortune were among that which he mentioned. After showing Mario the Champion's Room and the Major League Locker Room, Mario immediately signed up to fight. Grubba, excited over a potential champion, called in Jolene to take Mario to the Minor League Locker Room and give him a rundown of the Glitz Pit's rules. Though Grubba was excited over Mario's arrival, the plumber would soon get in the way of Grubba's secret.
With Prince Mush gone, his rival [[Rawk Hawk]] was free to step in as the next champion of the Glitz Pit. Although he proved less popular with fans, Grubba appreciated the fact that he did not pry into his business. However, a minor-league fighter, [[Bandy Andy]], had begun investigating the secrets of the Glitz Pit.


As Mario began to fight his way up the ranks in the minor league, Grubba treated him like any normal wrestler, giving him orders to follow while in a match. Mario was rising up the ranks quickly, trying to make it up to the title match so he could get the [[Champ's Belt]], which held the [[Gold Star]] sturdily in its center. During Mario's short time in the minor league, two of his fellow wrestlers went missing without a trace &mdash; [[King K]] and [[Bandy Andy]]. Where they went, Mario did not know; he was much to preoccupied with various e-mails he was receiving from an anonymous "X", as well as a threatening letter saying that Mario would be "D-E-A-D M-E-A-T" if he didn't stop snooping around the Glitz Pit.
====The Great Gonzales====
Mario and his partners, on a quest to save [[Princess Peach]] from the X-Nauts, were seeking out the Crystal Stars one by one. After obtaining two of them, the [[Magical Map]] next detected Grubba's Crystal Star and pointed them to Glitzville. Seeing the fake Gold Star on the Champ's Belt, Mario, with the intention of winning the star fairly, met with Grubba to become a Glitz Pit Fighter.  Grubba appeared excited about the prospect, and signed on Mario, giving him the ring name, "The Great Gonzales."


Before long, Mario was ranked eleventh in the Glitz Pit &mdash; he was ready to fight his way into the major league. Grubba showed excitement over Mario already being prepared for this match; he gave him orders as usual for the fight. Though Mario failed the fight against the [[Armored Harriers]] in his first bout with them, he easily beat them the second time around after gaining [[Yoshi (PM:TTYD)|a new partner]]. Grubba was enthusiastic over Mario's arrival to the major league. He invited Mario to his office for a little chat. After talking to Mario about his potential future, Grubba gave Mario a gift for making it into the major league &mdash; thirty [[coin]]s. Though Grubba was excited over Mario's success, he was beginning to become paranoid that his secret was being discovered by Mario.
[[KP Pete]], a minor-league fighter, planned to retire. Unfortunately for him, he discovered Grubba's secret, and the promoter quickly drained his power and hid the incapacitated fighter beneath a large [[block]].  


While in the Major League, Mario discovered that the Crystal Star found on the Champ's Belt was a fake; he had no idea where to go next, so he continued to fight his way up the ranks, all the while receiving various anonymous e-mails by "X". Grubba continued to give Mario wrestling orders and monitor his matches. He saw that Mario was indeed a fierce fighter, as he was even able to take on fights by the Armored Harriers and [[Bowser]], even immediately after fighting his assigned match in the Glitz Pit. Mario was climbing up the ranks fast; but the problem that worried Grubba is that Mario's persistent e-mails from "X" were getting him closer and closer to the secret Grubba was hiding. Grubba knew he had to act fast, but he didn't know what it was he should do.
Mario quickly advanced through the minor-league and into the major-league.  As he did so, Jolene began to regain hope, believing that he might be able to defeat Grubba.  Pleased with Mario's performance, Grubba invited him back into his office to give him a thirty [[coin]] bonus and welcome him to the major-league.  When Jolene, escorting Mario and his party, entered, Grubba was looking at something and quickly hid it in his drawer, berating Jolene for not knocking. Jolene then took Mario and his party to the major-league locker room, where they met Rawk Hawk and determined that the star on the Champ's Belt was a fake.  Allegedly hearing their discussion, Jolene, under the pseudonym "X," sent Mario an [[e-mail]] promising to lead him to the real Crystal Star.


Things were becoming stressful for Grubba as Mario made his way to the top. Two of the "missing" fighters &mdash; King K. and Bandy Andy &mdash; had been found by Mario. Jolene was constantly disappearing at random intervals, particularly around times when a mysterious event would take place, especially when Mario would discover yet another clue leading to Grubba's secret. One day, while Jolene was in Grubba's Office, he asked her if she knew anything about an object called a "Crystal Star". Though surprised at this accusation, Jolene responded negatively. Despite Jolene's statement, Grubba was still not at ease with his surroundings.
Jolene first sent Mario a [[Super Hammer]], then lead him to the Dubious Paper hidden in the minor-league locker room. Suspicious of Mario's intentions, Grubba sent him a threatening, anonymous e-mail. Disregarding Grubba's e-mail, Mario continued to pry and Grubba grew increasingly suspicious. Around this time, [[Bandy Andy]] went into the arena when no one seemed to be around and witnessed Grubba transform. Grubba also drained his energy and hid him alongside KP Pete.
[[Image:Grubba's Office.jpg|frame|Mario infiltrating Grubba's Office.]]
Mario had become the new champion of the Glitz Pit, knocking Rawk Hawk down into the major league. Mario was stationed in the Champ's Room that day, right next to Grubba's office. While he was in the Champ's Room, Mario could here a voice muttering something on the other end of the ventilator shaft. After receiving one last e-mail from "X", Mario was instructed to find the voice in the Champ's Room. He hammered down the entrance to the ventilation shaft and began to walk through it. As he neared the center of the shaft, he realized the voice he heard was Grubba's. Mario quickly hammered down Grubba's side of the ventilation shaft, only to find that he was no longer in his office. Mario began to snoop around Grubba's office, searching for some clue to the Crystal Star, when he found Grubba's secret. Inside Grubba's desk resided the blueprints to his power-sucking machine. The blueprints explained that the Crystal Star was powering the machine, and that Grubba was using it to restore his youth; it also explained that he needed the power of the Glitz Pit's wrestlers in order to fully activate the machine. Grubba marched in his office only to find that Mario had discovered his secret. Grubba quickly ran to the empty wrestling ring; Mario chased after him.


After Mario approached Grubba in the ring, Grubba slowly lowered into the center of the ring. After a short tremor, a massive glowing cage ejected from the depths of the Glitz Pit; inside the cage resided Grubba. It was at this moment that Mario realized this was Grubba's power-sucking machine, as it was powered by the Gold Star at the top. After going through a massive transformation, Grubba had turned into an enormous orange being that was prepared to battle Mario. Between the power of the Gold Star and the power of the wrestlers who had fell victim to Grubba, he was surging with an incredible amount of power. For the first time, Mario had seen what a Crystal Star was capable of doingWith the power of the Gold Star, Grubba assumed the form "[[Macho Grubba]]."
When [[Ms. Mowz]] broke into the storeroom where KP Pete and Bandy Andy were hidden, a security guard heard a noise which Ms. Mowz would later claim could not have been her.  Rather than investigate further into the noise, Jolene threatened to fire the guard should he speak of the intrusion again. She reported that to Grubba that the room was secure, but Grubba remained suspicious. He asked her where she went when she disappeared for long periods of time and whether or not she had ever heard of a Crystal Star, but she gave him satisfactory answers. However, Grubba quickly sent an e-mail to Mario warning him not to pry into matters concerning the Crystal Star lest he meet the same fate as the other missing fightersShortly after, Mario discovered KP Pete and Bandy Andy in the storeroom.


Macho Grubba and Mario engaged in an epic battle to the finish. As Mario would trounce Macho Grubba and smash him with his hammer, Grubba would quickly return an attack. Macho Grubba was able to use various types of power-ups to tip the scales of the battle to his side; he would attack Mario and his partner multiple times in one turn, and he would even use the illegal moves he had learned from his days as a wrestler. As time had passed, Macho Grubba began to become weak from battle; before long, Grubba had succumbed to Mario. Grubba immediately shrank in size, returning to his normal middle-aged form.
After becoming the champion, Mario gained access to the champion's room and used its location to spy on Grubba at Jolene's anonymous advice, who was at that moment talking to himself regarding his secret machine, the missing fighters, and whether or not he should make Mario "disappear."  Hiding the machine's blueprints in his desk, Grubba left his office for a minute and returned to find Mario and his partner inspecting the secret blueprints for the machine.


After defeat, Jolene entered the ring and thanked Mario for taking Grubba down. She had explained that she had come there to find her brother, Prince Mush. As she walked over to Grubba and began to question him about the whereabouts of Prince Mush, Grubba responded by saying "he ain't around these parts no more". Jolene felt a wave of sorrow, but she had expected that was the answer she would receive. At that moment, Prince Mush was tossed out of the power-sucking machine by the power of the Gold Star. He was in perfect health because the Gold Star had restored his power. Mario was given the Gold Star for his heroic actions.
====Defeat====
Hastily, Grubba fled to his machine in the arena, closely followed by Mario and his party. In response, Grubba quickly activated his machine and transformed into Macho Grubba, confident that he would be able to defeat his champion. The ex-martial artist gave his all to the fight, but ultimately he fell at the hands of Mario and transformed back into his normal form. Lying facedown on the floor, Grubba complimented Mario on the fight. Jolene rushed to the ring, thanking Mario for his efforts and explaining her actions and motivations to him.  Grubba's manager demanded that he tell her what happened to Prince Mush.  Defeated, Grubba admitted to his crime.


What happened to Grubba after his defeat is unknown. When he was last seen, he was still alive, as he was twitching very mildly. Grubba was never seen again after the end of Chapter 3. He lost his position as manager of the Glitz Pit, being succeeded by Jolene. None of the fighters ever mentioned the whereabouts of Grubba after Chapter 3, nor did any of Glitzville's residents. Even Jolene, who had been secretly undercover beyond Grubba's whereabouts for so long never spoke of Grubba again, other than simply saying that he was "out of the picture."
The Gold Star used its power to restore Jolene's brother before it was removed from the machine.  Grubba's machine deactivated and Jolene gave Mario the Gold Star so that nothing like what had transpired would ever happen again. Grubba's final fate is currently unknown; he was last seen lying on the Glitz Pit floor at Jolene, Mario, and Prince Mush's feet. Jolene took over Grubba's position as the promoter of the Glitz Pit. Both Bandy Andy and KP Pete recovered.  KP Pete would go on to claim that four fighters had disappeared before him that year alone. However, the total number of fighters drained by Grubba is unknown.


==Powers and Abilities==
==Powers and Abilities==
{{main|Macho Grubba}}
{{main|Macho Grubba}}


In his normal form, Grubba has no known powers. As such, he must use his power-sucking machine to transform in Macho Grubba in order to obtain powers. It is only in his Macho Grubba form that the player can battle him.
When he was younger, Grubba claims to have had many powerful moves, some of which were made illegal after he used them. However, by the time he encountered Mario, Grubba had lost his ability to fight without the aid of his machine.  To fight his enemies, Grubba was forced to use the machine to transform into Macho Grubba. In that form, he had many attacks.


==Physical Appearance==
==Physical Appearance==
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[[Image:Mario and Grubba.jpg|thumb|200px|Grubba, showing excitement upon meeting Mario.]]
[[Image:Mario and Grubba.jpg|thumb|200px|Grubba, showing excitement upon meeting Mario.]]
However, Grubba was also a very vain character. In his youth, Grubba was a famous wrestler, receiving a lot of attention. He had fame, fortune, and everything that went along with it. Though, as he aged, things came to an abrupt stop. Wrestling is a sport intended for youthful athletes, and as such, Grubba could no longer participate. He searched for a less stressful job, soon becoming the manager of the Glitz Pit. Even though he was able to control the Pit and tell its wrestlers how to fight, he hated the despised being of old age. He did anything he could to retrieve his youth, eventually relying on his secret power-sucking machine. Originally intended for power boosts in his wrestling days, Grubba's power-sucking machine also provided him with a youthful surge of energy each time he used it. He would become powerful, swift, and energetic once more after being charged up by the Gold Star's power and the wrestlers who fell victim to it. Even in his powered-up state, Grubba's old age eventually ate through the barriers of false youth. When battling Mario while all souped-up on energy, he eventually became extremely tired and weak. Even the power of the Gold Star couldn't take away Grubba's old age &mdash; it could only mask it.
However, Grubba was also a very vain character. In his youth, Grubba was a famous martial artist, receiving a lot of attention. He had fame, fortune, and everything that went along with it. Though, as he aged, things came to an abrupt stop. Grubba could no longer participate. He searched for a less stressful job, soon becoming the manager of the Glitz Pit. Even though he was able to control the Pit and tell its wrestlers how to fight, he hated the despised being of old age. He did anything he could to retrieve his youth, eventually relying on his secret power-sucking machine. Originally intended for power boosts in his wrestling days, Grubba's power-sucking machine also provided him with a youthful surge of energy each time he used it. He would become powerful, swift, and energetic once more after being charged up by the Gold Star's power and the wrestlers who fell victim to it. Even in his powered-up state, Grubba's old age eventually ate through the barriers of false youth. When battling Mario while all souped-up on energy, he eventually became extremely tired and weak. Even the power of the Gold Star couldn't take away Grubba's old age &mdash; it could only mask it.


Due to his secret that he had to keep undercover, Grubba was in a constant state of paranoia. He always had the feeling that those surrounding him were going to find out his secret, and that those whom he had shown even the slightest bit of affection towards already knew about his secret. After Mario had become champion, he had eavesdropped on Grubba at one point, hearing him say that he couldn't get rid of the feeling that Mario and Jolene already knew about his secret. He feared that he would have to make them disappear before long by luring them into his power-sucking machine. The effects of keeping this secret were not only taking a toll on him physically, but mentally as well. His paranoia would occasionally leak out in a threatening manner. Mario witnessed this first-hand with an e-mail he had received from Grubba, claiming that Mario would be "D-E-A-D M-E-A-T" if he were to continue his search for the Gold Star.
Due to his secret that he had to keep undercover, Grubba was in a constant state of paranoia. He always had the feeling that those surrounding him were going to find out his secret, and that those whom he had shown even the slightest bit of affection towards already knew about his secret. After Mario had become champion, he had eavesdropped on Grubba at one point, hearing him say that he couldn't get rid of the feeling that Mario and Jolene already knew about his secret. He feared that he would have to make them disappear before long by luring them into his power-sucking machine. The effects of keeping this secret were not only taking a toll on him physically, but mentally as well. His paranoia would occasionally leak out in a threatening manner. Mario witnessed this first-hand with an e-mail he had received from Grubba, claiming that Mario would be "D-E-A-D M-E-A-T" if he were to continue his search for the Gold Star.
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==Quotes==
==Quotes==
:''Please see [[List_of_Quotes_in_Paper_Mario:_The_Thousand-Year_Door#Grubba|here]] for a full list of quotes.''
:''Please see [[List_of_Quotes_in_Paper_Mario:_The_Thousand-Year_Door#Grubba|here]] for a full list of quotes.''
== Trivia ==
* Grubba's name is a combination of the words "Clubba" and "Grubber."
* Grubba's exact age is never revealed, but according to Bandy Andy, he is over sixty years old.
* According to himself, King K. was the fifth fighter to disappear from the Glitz Pit that year. It is unknown who the other fighters that disappeared earlier that year were, if Prince Mush was one of them, or if he had disappeared prior to that year. The only three fighters to return alive were the only three that were confirmed to have disappeared: King K., Prince Mush, and Bandy Andy.


== Foreign Names ==
== Foreign Names ==
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{{start box}}
{{start box}}
{{succession box |
  | title = Champion of the [[Glitz Pit]]
  | game = ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''
  | before = Unknown (eventually [[Prince Mush]])
  | after = Unknown (eventually [[Rawk Hawk]])
|}}
{{succession box |
{{succession box |
   | title = Manager of the [[Glitz Pit]]
   | title = Manager of the [[Glitz Pit]]
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   | after = [[Jolene]]
   | after = [[Jolene]]
|}}
|}}
{{end box}}
{{end box}}



Revision as of 17:59, January 20, 2009

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Template:Character-infobox

“Bein' rich an' famous is diggety-dang DYNAMITE!”
Grubba, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Grubba is a major fictional character in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door who, in his younger years, was a famous martial arts fighter. Though initially impartial to fame and riches, after becoming rich and famous he fell in love with the good life. After retiring as a fighter, he became the promoter of the Glitz Pit in Glitzville. When he introduced himself to Mario, he claimed to be past his prime, unable to fight in the ring anymore. During the events of the video game, Grubba is over sixty years old according to Bandy Andy.

Initially presented as an uninvolved third party to Mario fight against the X-Nauts for the Crystal Stars, when Mario discovered his unethical use of the Gold Star, Grubba became an antagonist, wishing to keep his secrets safe. Behind his benevolent, boisterous façade he is dangerously self-centered, viewing situations in terms of benefits and dangers to himself and his lifestyle rather than the moral implications of his actions.

History

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Early Life

According to Grubba, in youth he was poor, but even so he did not care for "fancy, big-city ways." His worldview changed when he became a martial arts fighter. Though some of his moves were made illegal as he progressed, he became quite famous and earned enough money for the rest of his life.

At some point in his life, Grubba attained the Gold Star, a Crystal Star with the ability to increase one's attack and defense power by enabling its possessor to use Power Lift. The details behind Gubba's ownership of the star are never explained, so whether the star was the secret to Grubba's rise to fame is debatable.

Glitz Pit

Despite his fighting prowess, age eventually took a toll on Grubba and, unable to fight in the ring anymore, he was forced to retire from fighting. However, Grubba opened his own fighting ring, the Glitz Pit, and became its promoter. The Champ's Belt, the reward for the champion of the Glitz Pit, featured an imitation of Grubba's Gold Star. At some point following, desiring to regain his fit, youthful body, he developed or obtained blueprints for a power-draining machine that would use the Gold Star as a power source. Utilizing the Gold Star, the machine could suck the power out of one people and bestow it onto another individual. Through the use of the machine, Grubba could power himself up with much more dramatic results than those achievable through Power Lift alone. He referred to himself as Macho Grubba when powered up. Additionally, the machine made him appear younger even when not transformed. The relation between these events and the Dubious Paper, a research paper about the powers of the Crystal Stars hidden in the the minor-league Glitz Pit locker room at the time of Mario's adventure, are never made clear.

To support his poor family, Prince Mush entered the Glitz Pit as a fighter and became its first champion. Although he became a huge fan favorite, in the words of Grubba "Good fighters ain't nothin' to mess with." When Mush discovered Grubba's secret, the promoter sucked the power out of him. Whether or not Mush was the first victim of the machine is unknown, but he is the earliest known victim. To the public, including Mush's family, Grubba gave no explanation of Mush's disappearance. Afterward, Grubba hired a manager, Jolene, who secretly took the job to discover what really happened to Prince Mush, her little brother. Despite Mush discovering his secret, Grubba continued to use the machine. On one occasion, the snooping Jolene witnessed his transformation into Macho Grubba. Seeing what she was against, she lost nearly all hope that she would avenge her brother.

With Prince Mush gone, his rival Rawk Hawk was free to step in as the next champion of the Glitz Pit. Although he proved less popular with fans, Grubba appreciated the fact that he did not pry into his business. However, a minor-league fighter, Bandy Andy, had begun investigating the secrets of the Glitz Pit.

The Great Gonzales

Mario and his partners, on a quest to save Princess Peach from the X-Nauts, were seeking out the Crystal Stars one by one. After obtaining two of them, the Magical Map next detected Grubba's Crystal Star and pointed them to Glitzville. Seeing the fake Gold Star on the Champ's Belt, Mario, with the intention of winning the star fairly, met with Grubba to become a Glitz Pit Fighter. Grubba appeared excited about the prospect, and signed on Mario, giving him the ring name, "The Great Gonzales."

KP Pete, a minor-league fighter, planned to retire. Unfortunately for him, he discovered Grubba's secret, and the promoter quickly drained his power and hid the incapacitated fighter beneath a large block.

Mario quickly advanced through the minor-league and into the major-league. As he did so, Jolene began to regain hope, believing that he might be able to defeat Grubba. Pleased with Mario's performance, Grubba invited him back into his office to give him a thirty coin bonus and welcome him to the major-league. When Jolene, escorting Mario and his party, entered, Grubba was looking at something and quickly hid it in his drawer, berating Jolene for not knocking. Jolene then took Mario and his party to the major-league locker room, where they met Rawk Hawk and determined that the star on the Champ's Belt was a fake. Allegedly hearing their discussion, Jolene, under the pseudonym "X," sent Mario an e-mail promising to lead him to the real Crystal Star.

Jolene first sent Mario a Super Hammer, then lead him to the Dubious Paper hidden in the minor-league locker room. Suspicious of Mario's intentions, Grubba sent him a threatening, anonymous e-mail. Disregarding Grubba's e-mail, Mario continued to pry and Grubba grew increasingly suspicious. Around this time, Bandy Andy went into the arena when no one seemed to be around and witnessed Grubba transform. Grubba also drained his energy and hid him alongside KP Pete.

When Ms. Mowz broke into the storeroom where KP Pete and Bandy Andy were hidden, a security guard heard a noise which Ms. Mowz would later claim could not have been her. Rather than investigate further into the noise, Jolene threatened to fire the guard should he speak of the intrusion again. She reported that to Grubba that the room was secure, but Grubba remained suspicious. He asked her where she went when she disappeared for long periods of time and whether or not she had ever heard of a Crystal Star, but she gave him satisfactory answers. However, Grubba quickly sent an e-mail to Mario warning him not to pry into matters concerning the Crystal Star lest he meet the same fate as the other missing fighters. Shortly after, Mario discovered KP Pete and Bandy Andy in the storeroom.

After becoming the champion, Mario gained access to the champion's room and used its location to spy on Grubba at Jolene's anonymous advice, who was at that moment talking to himself regarding his secret machine, the missing fighters, and whether or not he should make Mario "disappear." Hiding the machine's blueprints in his desk, Grubba left his office for a minute and returned to find Mario and his partner inspecting the secret blueprints for the machine.

Defeat

Hastily, Grubba fled to his machine in the arena, closely followed by Mario and his party. In response, Grubba quickly activated his machine and transformed into Macho Grubba, confident that he would be able to defeat his champion. The ex-martial artist gave his all to the fight, but ultimately he fell at the hands of Mario and transformed back into his normal form. Lying facedown on the floor, Grubba complimented Mario on the fight. Jolene rushed to the ring, thanking Mario for his efforts and explaining her actions and motivations to him. Grubba's manager demanded that he tell her what happened to Prince Mush. Defeated, Grubba admitted to his crime.

The Gold Star used its power to restore Jolene's brother before it was removed from the machine. Grubba's machine deactivated and Jolene gave Mario the Gold Star so that nothing like what had transpired would ever happen again. Grubba's final fate is currently unknown; he was last seen lying on the Glitz Pit floor at Jolene, Mario, and Prince Mush's feet. Jolene took over Grubba's position as the promoter of the Glitz Pit. Both Bandy Andy and KP Pete recovered. KP Pete would go on to claim that four fighters had disappeared before him that year alone. However, the total number of fighters drained by Grubba is unknown.

Powers and Abilities

Main article: Macho Grubba

When he was younger, Grubba claims to have had many powerful moves, some of which were made illegal after he used them. However, by the time he encountered Mario, Grubba had lost his ability to fight without the aid of his machine. To fight his enemies, Grubba was forced to use the machine to transform into Macho Grubba. In that form, he had many attacks.

Physical Appearance

Though he is a Clubba, Grubba does not have all of the normal physical features of one; rather, he bears a slight resemblance to Tubba Blubba from the original Paper Mario. Unlike most Clubbas, whose skin is green, Grubba has a pale blue shade of skin. His shell is orchid in color, with a yellow rim; this feature is also unlike a standard Clubba's. His hair is a fiery orange color; this too is unlike the normal Clubba, which bares whitish-colored hair. Grubba's lips are very large and orange in color. Perhaps most notable is the fact that Grubba does not carry a mace around with him.

He is also the only Clubba ever seen to wear clothes. He wears a tight, one-buttoned green shirt across his chest, above which is a small red bow tie. He also wears a black blazer that covers some of his arms and torso. He wears a large black hat atop his head, which bears a lone white stripe along the base of the rim. He also wears very tiny sunglasses that are only large enough to cover his eyes.

Personality

When Mario was first introduced to Grubba, he seemed to have quite a friendly personality. Grubba talked about his job and wrestling quite passionately and enthusiastically, indicating that he enjoyed the line of work he was in, even back during his days of wrestling. Even though his success in the wrestling field had been cheated, he showed high admiration for those who had come far, and extreme encouragement for those who were new. Mario got a first-hand experience with how Grubba could react to both a rising star, as well as someone who had reached the top of the ranks.

File:Mario and Grubba.jpg
Grubba, showing excitement upon meeting Mario.

However, Grubba was also a very vain character. In his youth, Grubba was a famous martial artist, receiving a lot of attention. He had fame, fortune, and everything that went along with it. Though, as he aged, things came to an abrupt stop. Grubba could no longer participate. He searched for a less stressful job, soon becoming the manager of the Glitz Pit. Even though he was able to control the Pit and tell its wrestlers how to fight, he hated the despised being of old age. He did anything he could to retrieve his youth, eventually relying on his secret power-sucking machine. Originally intended for power boosts in his wrestling days, Grubba's power-sucking machine also provided him with a youthful surge of energy each time he used it. He would become powerful, swift, and energetic once more after being charged up by the Gold Star's power and the wrestlers who fell victim to it. Even in his powered-up state, Grubba's old age eventually ate through the barriers of false youth. When battling Mario while all souped-up on energy, he eventually became extremely tired and weak. Even the power of the Gold Star couldn't take away Grubba's old age — it could only mask it.

Due to his secret that he had to keep undercover, Grubba was in a constant state of paranoia. He always had the feeling that those surrounding him were going to find out his secret, and that those whom he had shown even the slightest bit of affection towards already knew about his secret. After Mario had become champion, he had eavesdropped on Grubba at one point, hearing him say that he couldn't get rid of the feeling that Mario and Jolene already knew about his secret. He feared that he would have to make them disappear before long by luring them into his power-sucking machine. The effects of keeping this secret were not only taking a toll on him physically, but mentally as well. His paranoia would occasionally leak out in a threatening manner. Mario witnessed this first-hand with an e-mail he had received from Grubba, claiming that Mario would be "D-E-A-D M-E-A-T" if he were to continue his search for the Gold Star.

Even though the effects of vanity, paranoia, and greed had made Grubba villainous by nature, deep down he was a good sport. Though his minor-leaguers didn't have the greatest living quarters, he enthusiastically supported them in battle. He treated his major-leaguers just as enthusiastically, and even gave them cleaner living quarters for all their hard work. His feelings towards the champion were a little stronger; not only did he supply the champion with a luxurious room, he felt enthusiastic over each victory the champion made, and even at points idolized him. Grubba also showed how good his sportsmanship was in battle. While battling Mario, he would make comments such as "Keep it spicy." After his defeat, Grubba gave one last enthusiastic comment to Mario, saying "Great fight there, son."

Quotes

Please see here for a full list of quotes.

Foreign Names

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