Even more Downtown Showdown photos from MRZ are up on Vans Flickr. Epic action shotzzzz.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your two time top am winner Nick Merlino. Following, please find some epic photos by Ray Zimmerman and some not so epic photos and babbling by George Crosland

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Where else can you see the top board companies in skateboarding bring their top pros and ams to rip custom-built obstacles created just for one night of skate, food and drinks? The 6th Vans Downtown Showdown presented by Rockstar Energy Drink took place again this year at the Paramount Studios back lot on Saturday night with top street skaters attacking four features submitted by the Girl, Black Label, Zero and Foundation teams. The Pretzel Grip crew combining Girl and Anti-Hero riders claimed team honors and $30,000, while Nick Merlino won $8,500 as top am and Vincent Alvarez was named top pro pocketing $7,500. Full results after the jump. ...

I got it: Johnny, Cody & The Amazing Ladies. That's the band name. The hard part is over now. Thank me later. Photos after the jump. ...

Jeanette came all crazy with this necklace. Gangsta, Gangsta. Photos after the jump. ...

It's easy to miss the east coast and get sucked into movie magic while hanging out on this huge set all day. Seeing dozens of people hanging out on the stoops makes you feel like you're really in a neighborhood. Photos after the jump. ...

You guys probably don't know this, but Ray Barbee is the nicest dude in town. It doesn't even matter what town he's in. (Hyphy Cody is good, too.) There is so much rad vibe in this photo you can live off this for 3-4 months & someone will smash your car & you'll be all, "Nah, totally mellow." Photos after the jump. ...

I told these guys I was stealing their souls. Insert diabolical laugh here. Photos after the jump. ...

Always good to see Curren Caples. He dropped into the office to say hi while I was tearing my hair out about the internetsss. (Sorry, dude.) Photos after the jump....

There were about 50 kids standing outside the Paramount Gates this afternoon. All of them are friends from North Hollywood. Photos after the jump. ...

Everything has got fresh paint and ready to roll. Photos after the jump.

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The official word from Paramount Studios this morning is that everything is a go 100%. Don't believe me? Official text from Empress of Events, Kristy Van Doren, says so. Certifiable evidence after the jump.
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What else happened during practice? Photos & video after the jump. ...

Donny Barley with a speedy ollie north on the Girl obstacle

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Practice started an hour ago, but the production crew is still building. It's kinda crazy. It'll get done. Photos after the jump. ...

The Girl Obstacle in progress as the Vans Downtown Showdown gets ready for action at the Paramount Studios in Hollywood, CA, USA...

Here's a bird's eye shot of the New York City Street set where we'll be building the features. Paramount is way bigger than this, though...
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It's that time of year again, kids. I'm stoked. No BS...


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Get ready to see skateboarding’s top pros and ams vie for their piece of $85,000 as the 6th Annual Downtown Showdown presented by Rockstar Energy Drink invades Paramount Studios’ Back Lot this Saturday, October 2. The top teams in skateboarding including Girl, Zero, Toy Machine, Foundation, Black Label, Blind, Element and Powell Peralta submitted plans for obstacles and Vans has picked the best of the lot.

Black Label, Girl, Zero and Foundation’s designs have been chosen and custom built as part of this year’s Showdown course. Each team will session the four unique obstacles in a round-robin format with awards going out for top team, best pro, top am and best performance by obstacle.

Expected riders include: Brian Anderson, Tony Trujillo, Frank Gerwer, Rick Howard, Vincent Alvarez, Chris Pfanner, Chris Cole, Garrett Hill, Tommy Sandoval, Jamie Tancowny, Ben Hatchell, Leo Romero, Billy Marks, Johnny Layton, Matt Bennett, Daniel Lutheran, Collin Provost, Nick Merlino, Elijah Berle, Marquis Preston, Taylor Smith, Abdias Rivera, Adam Alfaro, Chris Troy, Omar Hassan, Peter Raffin, Tyler Mumma, Ronnie Creager, Jake Duncombe, Kevin Romar, Sean Sheffey, Chad Tim Tim, Levi Brown, Nick Garcia, Boo Johnson, Jordan Hoffart, Chad Bartie, Josh Hawkins and more.

Those that can’t make it to this year’s Showdown can catch a live webcast of the entire event at www.vans.com/showdown, Saturday, October 2 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Viewers will also have a chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes from Vans...

Join Vans on Saturday, October 2 to see skateboarding’s top pros and ams shred for their chance at $85,000, as the 5th Annual Downtown Showdown Presented by Rockstar Energy Drink invades Paramount Studios’ Back Lot. We’ve invited top skateboard companies and their riders to submit designs for one of four custom obstacles that will be chosen and built as part of the Showdown course. ...