Post by logicman27 on Mar 31, 2023 17:31:45 GMT -5
Recap courtesy of genius2751
Wheel of Fortune: Season 40 (2022-2023)
March 31, 2023
WWE Tournament (Day 5)
Joining us for our first Friday Finals since 1999 are Ben Clark & Big E, Grant Salzano & Natalya, and Ray Simon & Austin Theory.
$1,000 TOSS-UP
SONG LYRICS
Vanna had a little bit of trouble with the board.
_ T ' S T _ _ _ _ N _ L
C O _ _ T D _ W N
Like the band Europe, Ray knows "IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN."
Let's talk to our winning teams one last time…
Ray & Austin won $24,850 on Tuesday. Pat mentions their total during Ben's introduction.
Austin's wearing a WWE belt buckle that says "CHAMPION" and takes turns with Ray reciting their catchphrase: "We're here to talk trash… and make cash!" Big E's neck massage cracks Pat up, and after Natalya rubs Grant's neck, Pat tells Vanna, "You know the deal!"
Before we begin the next round, Pat shows his appreciation for the WWE superstars.
$2,000 TOSS-UP
PHRASE
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ding!
_ _ O C _ _ _ _ _ Y
_ _ A _ _ _ _ E
Yes, Grant, TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME.
The winner of this match, regardless of the Bonus Round's outcome, will receive this superprize: a VIP experience at WrestleMania 39 (including premium tickets, backstage passes, and exclusive merch) in Southern California this weekend worth $13,000.
ROUND 1
SAME LETTER
_ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
B U _ P S
B R U I S E S
B A C _ B R E A _ E R S
B R A I N B U S T E R S
PERFECT ROUND! Grant breezes through that puzzle without any BUMPS, BRUISES, BACKBREAKERS, BRAINBUSTERS for all that dough and a gift card! His and Natalya's subtotal equals their previous winnings.
MYSTERY ROUND
BEFORE & AFTER
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
While Austin spins, Pat admires his WWE crop top.
Enjoy this exchange among Ray, Austin, and Pat.
_ _ B E T T E R
_ A L _
N E L S _ N
While I work on MY BETTER HALF NELSON, Ben gets himself and Big E on the board. Pat claims their current winnings "should just about buy dinner."
Big E does his signature dance as we go to break.
EXPRESS ROUND
WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
Yes, you read that right. No chimes, no trip reminder… no PRIZE PUZZLE.
After a certai "Big E wants an E."
_ U _ U R I O U S
R H I N E S T O N E
R O _ E
The last vowel did it for Grant – he could wear a LUXURIOUS RHINESTONE ROBE if he goes to WrestleMania tomorrow.
TRIPLE TOSS-UP
THING
#1
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _
Ding!
_ _ _ _ S _ S _ _ B _ E
F O R _ E
Ben avoids this IRRESISTIBLE FORCE.
#2
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
Ding!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E
_ _ _ _ _ _
Ray stumbles on the second word, but he somehow aces this IMMOVABLE OBJECT.
#3
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ding!
M _ S _ _ V E
C _ L _ I _ I O N
Grant realizes we're not having a MASSIVE CELEBRATION yet. "Nope, that's not that."
M _ S _ _ V E
C _ L L I _ I O N
Ray might see a MASSIVE COLLISION in the wrestling ring.
ROUND 4
EVENT
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
DING DING! DING DING!
AUSTIN'S FINAL SPIN: $1,700
_ M _ R G _ N G
_ _ _ T _ R _ _ _ S
Ray's guess of EMERGING VICTORIES isn't quite right.
_ M _ R G _ N G
_ _ C T _ R _ _ _ S
While Big E isn't EMERGING VICTORIOUS, he and Ben depart with a nice amount. Pat aggressively breaks up their hug.
CUMULATIVE WINNINGS: $39,600
As Pat congratulates the teams, Austin pretends to cry, so he comforts him. Ray says their final score will buy Austin a full shirt, and Pat tells Austin to remove his cutoff so the producers can sell it on eBay. He almost does… but Ray stops him.
Judging by these grand totals (sans the superprize)…
*** Grant is going to WrestleMania! ***
BONUS ROUND CATEGORIES
Another category Grant likes (as with yesterday's Bonus Round puzzle).
$100,000 BONUS ROUND
After Grant reintroduces us to his wife and best friend, Alexandria, his strong spin lands him and Natalya on the W in WIN.
EVENTS
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
RSTLNE:
_ _ _ _ _ S
_ _ _ _ S _ _ N S
Grant's PHGA combo…
_ _ _ _ _ S
_ _ _ A S _ _ N S
…won't do much, and all Grant can come up with is FASHIONS and GREATEST SEASONS before blurting out "Hi, Mom!" before the buzzer. Not only have we been SKUNKED, but he's missed out on the JOYOUS OCCASIONS of winning the FORD twice. He still departs with an additional $21,450 and (counting WrestleMania) a grand total of $54,000.
CHAT: The hosts, Big E, Natalya, Austin, and Grant return to the stage. Pat thanks the WWE superstars for a great week, congratulates Vanna on her "victory" (while she dons Austin's belt buckle), and tells Grant to enjoy his three-day adventure at WrestleMania (which we'll see on Wheel's social media platforms).
Wheel of Fortune: Season 40 (2022-2023)
March 31, 2023
WWE Tournament (Day 5)
Joining us for our first Friday Finals since 1999 are Ben Clark & Big E, Grant Salzano & Natalya, and Ray Simon & Austin Theory.
$1,000 TOSS-UP
SONG LYRICS
Vanna had a little bit of trouble with the board.
_ T ' S T _ _ _ _ N _ L
C O _ _ T D _ W N
Like the band Europe, Ray knows "IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN."
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$0 | $0 | $1,000 |
Let's talk to our winning teams one last time…
Ray & Austin won $24,850 on Tuesday. Pat mentions their total during Ben's introduction.
- Ray, who's from Wyoming, MI, has enjoyed hanging out with Austin.
- Austin took a while to get his abs in shape and thinks he, "A-Town Down," will win the game with "Ray-Town Down."
- Ben, who's from Carmel, IN, was worried his partner would wear himself out before each round.
- Big E rubs Ben's neck to share the love between them.
- Grant, who's from Madison, CT, considers Natalya his new best friend and accepts her offer of a massage.
- Natalya considers Grant an inspiration.
Austin's wearing a WWE belt buckle that says "CHAMPION" and takes turns with Ray reciting their catchphrase: "We're here to talk trash… and make cash!" Big E's neck massage cracks Pat up, and after Natalya rubs Grant's neck, Pat tells Vanna, "You know the deal!"
Before we begin the next round, Pat shows his appreciation for the WWE superstars.
$2,000 TOSS-UP
PHRASE
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ding!
_ _ O C _ _ _ _ _ Y
_ _ A _ _ _ _ E
Yes, Grant, TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME.
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$0 | $2,000 | $1,000 |
The winner of this match, regardless of the Bonus Round's outcome, will receive this superprize: a VIP experience at WrestleMania 39 (including premium tickets, backstage passes, and exclusive merch) in Southern California this weekend worth $13,000.
ROUND 1
SAME LETTER
_ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
| GIFT: 1 N PRIZE: 5 R's -$250: 4 E's -$250: 3 A's -$250: 2 I's $500: 6 S's Same Letter bonus! -$250: 3 U's No more vowels! $500: 1 C $500: 1 P Solve attempt… | ||
$11,550+ |
B U _ P S
B R U I S E S
B A C _ B R E A _ E R S
B R A I N B U S T E R S
PERFECT ROUND! Grant breezes through that puzzle without any BUMPS, BRUISES, BACKBREAKERS, BRAINBUSTERS for all that dough and a gift card! His and Natalya's subtotal equals their previous winnings.
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$0 | $19,550 | $1,000 |
WWE MERCHANDISE |
MYSTERY ROUND
BEFORE & AFTER
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
While Austin spins, Pat admires his WWE crop top.
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
| $600: 2 T's $550: 2 N's -$250: 3 E's $500: 1 R BANKRUPT ($650/$600) (-$2,550) | ||
$600: 1 S -$250: 1 A $800: 2 L's Solve attempt… | ||
$2,650 |
Enjoy this exchange among Ray, Austin, and Pat.
Ray: "I think we'll do a T."
Austin: "Put that T up there!"
Pat: "You have two T's. You heard what that man said."
Austin (on his next spin): "Got excited for that T, all right? I was pumped."
Austin: "Put that T up there!"
Pat: "You have two T's. You heard what that man said."
Austin (on his next spin): "Got excited for that T, all right? I was pumped."
_ _ B E T T E R
_ A L _
N E L S _ N
While I work on MY BETTER HALF NELSON, Ben gets himself and Big E on the board. Pat claims their current winnings "should just about buy dinner."
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$2,650 | $19,550 | $1,000 |
WWE MERCHANDISE |
Big E does his signature dance as we go to break.
EXPRESS ROUND
WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
Yes, you read that right. No chimes, no trip reminder… no PRIZE PUZZLE.
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
| $500: 3 R's $900: 1 T -$250: 3 E's BANKRUPT ($900) (-$2,150) | $500: 2 N's $500: 2 S's -$250: 2 I's -$250: 3 O's $650: 1 H -$250: 3 U's No more vowels! Solve attempt… | |
$1,900 |
After a certai "Big E wants an E."
_ U _ U R I O U S
R H I N E S T O N E
R O _ E
The last vowel did it for Grant – he could wear a LUXURIOUS RHINESTONE ROBE if he goes to WrestleMania tomorrow.
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$2,650 | $21,450 | $1,000 |
WWE MERCHANDISE |
TRIPLE TOSS-UP
THING
#1
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _
Ding!
_ _ _ _ S _ S _ _ B _ E
F O R _ E
Ben avoids this IRRESISTIBLE FORCE.
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$2,000 | $0 | $0 |
#2
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
Ding!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E
_ _ _ _ _ _
Ray stumbles on the second word, but he somehow aces this IMMOVABLE OBJECT.
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$2,000 | $0 | $2,000 |
#3
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ding!
M _ S _ _ V E
C _ L _ I _ I O N
Grant realizes we're not having a MASSIVE CELEBRATION yet. "Nope, that's not that."
M _ S _ _ V E
C _ L L I _ I O N
Ray might see a MASSIVE COLLISION in the wrestling ring.
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$2,000 | $0 | $4,000 |
$4,650 | $21,450 | $5,000 |
WWE MERCHANDISE |
ROUND 4
EVENT
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
DING DING! DING DING!
AUSTIN'S FINAL SPIN: $1,700
| Ray & Austin | 1 T | $1,700 | Ray declines Austin's suggestion of a guess. |
| Ben & Big E | 2 R's | $3,400 | |
| Grant & Natalya | 1 N | $1,700 | Austin tries to call S before his and Ray's turn. |
| Ray & Austin | 1 S | $3,400 | Pat: "They're in a different time zone." |
| Ben & Big E | 2 G's | $6,800 | |
| Grant & Natalya | L | $1,700 | |
| Ray & Austin | 1 M | $5,100 |
_ M _ R G _ N G
_ _ _ T _ R _ _ _ S
Ray's guess of EMERGING VICTORIES isn't quite right.
| Ben & Big E | 1 C | $8,500 |
_ M _ R G _ N G
_ _ C T _ R _ _ _ S
While Big E isn't EMERGING VICTORIOUS, he and Ben depart with a nice amount. Pat aggressively breaks up their hug.
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$13,150 | $21,450 | $5,000 |
WWE MERCHANDISE |
CUMULATIVE WINNINGS: $39,600
| PENALTY BOX | DUDS | BANKRUPT | LOSE A TURN | REPEATS | MISSOLVES | OTHER |
| ROUND 1 | PERFECT ROUND | |||||
| ROUND 2 | Ray & Austin ($2,550) | |||||
| ROUND 3 | Ben & Big E ($2,150) | |||||
| ROUND 4 | L (Grant & Natalya) | Ray & Austin ($5,100) | ||||
| TOTAL | 1 | 2 (-$4,700) | 1 |
As Pat congratulates the teams, Austin pretends to cry, so he comforts him. Ray says their final score will buy Austin a full shirt, and Pat tells Austin to remove his cutoff so the producers can sell it on eBay. He almost does… but Ray stops him.
Judging by these grand totals (sans the superprize)…
Ben & Big E | Grant & Natalya | Ray & Austin |
$34,950 | $41,000 | $29,850 |
*** Grant is going to WrestleMania! ***
BONUS ROUND CATEGORIES
- PHRASE
- EVENTS
- THING
Another category Grant likes (as with yesterday's Bonus Round puzzle).
$100,000 BONUS ROUND
After Grant reintroduces us to his wife and best friend, Alexandria, his strong spin lands him and Natalya on the W in WIN.
EVENTS
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
RSTLNE:
_ _ _ _ _ S
_ _ _ _ S _ _ N S
Grant's PHGA combo…
_ _ _ _ _ S
_ _ _ A S _ _ N S
…won't do much, and all Grant can come up with is FASHIONS and GREATEST SEASONS before blurting out "Hi, Mom!" before the buzzer. Not only have we been SKUNKED, but he's missed out on the JOYOUS OCCASIONS of winning the FORD twice. He still departs with an additional $21,450 and (counting WrestleMania) a grand total of $54,000.
CHAT: The hosts, Big E, Natalya, Austin, and Grant return to the stage. Pat thanks the WWE superstars for a great week, congratulates Vanna on her "victory" (while she dons Austin's belt buckle), and tells Grant to enjoy his three-day adventure at WrestleMania (which we'll see on Wheel's social media platforms).
