Wheel of Fortune Contestant Stuns Viewers by Solving Tough $65K Puzzle
A recent episode of Wheel of Fortune provided a conclusion that audiences are continuing to argue about, right after a player rejoiced over a huge victory—only to ignite an absolute social media uproar shortly afterward.
The fascinating irony? The fortunate contestant who happily danced away with a fresh, brand-new vehicle actually works as a driver’s education instructor.
Steve Knapp, hailing from Hampshire, Illinois, commanded the spotlight during the January 20 airing, competing against Sharisse Cohee of San Diego and Stacy Robinson from Columbus, Ohio. Knapp, an educator at Larkin High School, is recognized for his ambidexterity while driving—a highly appropriate fact for an evening that culminated with him securing a new set of car keys.
The match kicked off with Cohee establishing an early advantage. An avid fantasy sports fan, she took the lead after Robinson—a grandmother to six children—faltered on a toss-up puzzle. Cohee matched that with a subsequent accurate answer, rapidly amassing a $3,000 advantage.
Her winning streak persisted as she successfully guessed the phrase “Take It With a Grain of Salt,” escalating her bankroll beyond the $7,000 mark and applying heavy pressure on her rivals.
The situation devolved into chaos amidst the Mystery Round, where every single competitor unfortunately landed on the dreaded Bankrupt slice. With everyone’s earnings erased, Knapp ultimately broke the stalemate by figuring out a witty “Before & After” challenge—“Word of Wisdom Tooth”—and bagging $2,750.
The game’s momentum shifted once more during the Prize Puzzle. Cohee hopped onto the Express Train but sabotaged her own run by guessing a consonant that failed to appear on the board, resulting in an immediate Bankrupt penalty. Robinson quickly suffered the same fate. Knapp capitalized on the opportunity, solving “Luxurious Getaway” to secure a vacation to Punta Cana, propelling his total earnings past $15,000.
The Triple Toss-Ups introduced rapid-fire gameplay. Knapp just barely missed the initial puzzle with a wrong guess, giving Cohee the chance to snatch the money. Robinson then made a late comeback, figuring out the last two toss-ups to finally place herself on the board.
During the ultimate main-game puzzle, Knapp came through when the stakes were highest, accurately identifying “Make It To the Super Bowl.” This correct response awarded him $20,400 and locked in his position for the Bonus Round.
Cohee departed the game with $9,350, whereas Robinson concluded her run with $4,000.
For the concluding test, Knapp opted for the “What Are You Doing?” category, bringing his spouse and a childhood friend onto the stage to support him.
Upon being granted the customary letters—R, S, T, L, N, and E—he selected G, C, M, and A as his additions. The board subsequently populated to reveal: “G_ _ NG AN A_T_GRA _.”
With precious seconds remaining, Knapp assertively stated his guess: “Giving an autograph.”
Presenter Ryan Seacrest instantly validated the correct answer—and Knapp exploded into a celebratory, spontaneous dance routine.
“Was that your foxtrot?” Seacrest playfully inquired.
“Something like that,” Knapp chuckled in response.
Then the massive prize was unveiled: a brand-new Nissan was hiding inside the envelope, elevating his grand total to an impressive $65,800.
However, the festivities did not conclude there.
Promptly following the broadcast, viewers swarmed internet discussion boards, casting doubt on whether Knapp had genuinely uttered the right word. A multitude of fans adamantly claimed they heard him say “getting” rather than “giving,” sparking a passionate online controversy.
Other individuals scrutinized the footage frame by frame and determined that the adjudicators made the correct call—although a significant number confessed their initial reaction was pure astonishment.
So, what were his actual words?
The web remains completely split—and the Wheel of Fortune fanbase continues to debate it.