TKO (1989)

This was a pilot where three contestants were asked questions and were given initial letters to the answers à la Blockbusters.

The First Two Rounds
The contestants faced a game board with three categories consisting of four or five questions each. Each question in each category was worth more money than the previous question.

The player in control picked a category and all three were shown three sets of initials, one of them being correct. Then Peter read a toss-up question to which the first player to buzz in was allowed to choose the initials he/she thought were correct, followed by (if possible) what those initials stood for. A correct set of initials and answer earned money and control of the board. But an incorrect set of initials or answer gave the opposing players a chance to answer; if a wrong set of initials was chosen, Peter gave the correct set.

Round one questions were worth $100-$500 and round two questions were worth $200-$1,000.

Now in each round, two of the questions on the board would not be worth a specific dollar amount. Those questions are "Knockout" questions. Whenever a "Knockout" question was played and a player answered correctly, that player would select an opponent to lose money.

Final Knockout Round
In the Final Knockout Round there were no categories, just general knowledge questions worth $500 and $1,000. Plus correct answers to every question made then "Knockout" questions. The last player to finish with any money in his/her bank won the game plus a $5,000 bonus.

Supposedly, the three contestants stayed on the show for an entire week.

Music
Edd Kalehoff for Score Productions - The theme was later used on another failed Mark Goodson pilot Body Talk and still later on two lottery game shows, Illinois Instant Riches & Bonus Bonanza.

Links
The Game Show Pilot Light: TKO

YouTube Video
Clip of the Pilot with Fixed Audio