Actually answering the question is problematic! Most of our extant literary sources focus on the moral/philosophical issues surrounding gladiatorial combat in general, rather than specifics of the arena. And even fewer go into the lives of the gladiators.

What I can tell you is that popular opinion of certain successful gladiators echoes the modern idea of a celebrity: people would cheer for their favourite and large amounts of money would be spent to get them into the area. Take, for example, the Emperor Tibierius who payed 1000 gold pieces to freed gladiators to return to the arena (Seut., Tib. 7).

That it took 1000 gold pieces to convince rudiarii to return is telling, both of the risk involved and the status held by gladiators. But it tells us nothing of how that respect translated to the world outside the arena.

This is a great bibliography which might furnish you with more information!