Wheel of Fortune Fans Slam Contestant For Failing To Solve This ‘Easy’ $88,000 Puzzle
It was a challenging night on Wheel of Fortune this Tuesday, as one contestant came agonizingly close to a big win — only to see it slip away in the final moments.
Returning champion Raul Lopez entered the April 7 episode with a winning momentum after accumulating $18,109 the night before. The College Station, Texas native aimed to continue his winning streak, but he faced tough competition from Ben Johnson of Colorado Springs and Karen Stevenson of Joliet.
In the early stages, Johnson — a pastor who loves swing dancing with his wife — secured the first toss-up puzzle. Lopez quickly countered by solving the next one, keeping the game competitive. Stevenson then found her groove, correctly answering a puzzle in the “You Can’t Beat The Price!” category, earning $1,350 along with a valuable Wild Card.
However, fortune can change rapidly on the iconic spinning wheel. Stevenson’s Wild Card vanished when she landed on Bankrupt in the next round. Meanwhile, Johnson hit the Mystery wedge, which offered a potential $10,000 bonus, but he was unable to take advantage of it. Stevenson surged ahead again by solving a crossword-style puzzle under the category “American _,” winning a trip prize that significantly increased her total.
Lopez had an opportunity to regain control but faltered after repeating a letter, giving the turn back. Stevenson seized the moment, quickly solving “See You Later, Alligator” and adding a trip to Mexico to her growing winnings.
As the game continued, all three contestants contributed during the Triple Toss-Ups, each earning extra cash. But Stevenson clinched her victory by solving the final puzzle, “High School Gym Teacher,” bringing her total to $33,934 and securing her spot in the Bonus Round.
Johnson left with $3,000, while Lopez finished with $4,000 for the night, wrapping up his run with a commendable $22,109 over two episodes.
In the Bonus Round, Stevenson opted for the category “Person” and was accompanied by her sister, who assists in caring for their 109-year-old grandmother. After receiving the usual letters — R, S, T, L, N, and E — she chose M, P, D, and A to fill in the puzzle.
The board displayed a tough phrase: “A _ _MAN D NAM.”
As time was running out, Stevenson guessed “A Woman Dynamite,” but that was incorrect. The correct answer — “A Human Dynamo” — was revealed moments later, prompting an audible sigh from the contestant.
The loss stung even more when the envelope disclosed a potential $55,000 prize, which would have brought her total winnings to an impressive $88,934.
Viewers at home were vocal about their reactions. Many took to social media, stating that the puzzle appeared simple and expressing disbelief that it wasn’t solved in time. Some confessed they were yelling the correct answer at their screens as the countdown continued.
Despite this near miss, Stevenson is set to return for another chance, aiming to transform her heartbreak into a comeback in the next episode.
Sources: TV Insider