I thought the point of complex RPG style combat was to make things feel more realistic. If you don't care about winning and just want to look good, why not just flip a coin to decide who wins so that both parties involved can just focus on writing an entertaining fight?

 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You said in your example that you wanted to test at level 1 in arena style combat. My response would have been much different if you suggested level 5. Both characters have much more options, and gold could diversify those options even more. That troll ally the wizard summoned wouldn't fair very well against a paladin's burning mace. It could go either way for everyone.

But it sounds like what you really want to do is use dice to solve disputes. I don't think you're looking for a combat system, but a series of charts that can determine the probability of a character doing something. An example:

A young mage tries to push a Minotaur off a cliff. In order for this move to be successful, the mage has to be strong enough to push the Minotaur off balance.

Basic formula: Wizard's Strength MOD + D20 VS Minotaur's Strength MOD + Minotaur's stability (a utility stat)

For argument's sake, we'll just simplify it to 0 + D20 Vs 4 + 10 (14)

So the wizard has to roll over 14 in order to push the Minotaur.

BUT WAIT!

The wizard used his move action to charge this round! (+4)

The wizard has the grapple feat! (+2)

And his boots of swiftness give him extra speed! (+2)

AND he weighs over 200 LBS (+6)

So now he doesn't even have to roll! ( 4 + 2 + 2 + 6 = +14 bonus)


However...

He's scared of dark places, which saps his strength... (-2)

The ground is made of sand... (-4)

And he was hit with a water spell, making him slippery! (-2)

So the bonus is only +6. so they only have to roll over an 8!


But also...

The Minotaur has a stability feet... (-2)

He's taller than the mage... (-4)

And he weighs over 600 LBS! (-10)

It's going to take a critical success to roll over that 24. 


But the Minotaur has some things working against him!

He's in mid swing! (+4)

He's being distracted by flies! (+2)

... and he has his back turned! (+10)


The wizard only needs to roll over an 8 to push the Minotaur off the edge of the cliff... and into the soapy waters below! Hopefully he gets a bath from the wizard this time.



That was a very, very exaggerated version of it. But if you had some base stats and some charts that told you what to do in a particular situation, it might be fun for both parties involved to find all the modifiers that applied to the situation. Or it could seem like work. I dunno...