Night 2 did not disappoint. I knew Drew would be last, and I am so relieved he hit the buzzer. Stage 1 for guys like Drew are more of a nuisance than a challenge. They really want to take on Stage 2 and 3-- 1 is kind of trivial. Yet, I still get really nervous because anyone can screw up and end their season, even the best like Drew, and as we saw, Jessie. Anyway, I really would have loved to see Jessie and Jesse on Stage 2, but other than that, pretty much all my favorites hit the buzzer: Joe, Drew, Daniel, Josh, Travis, Kevin, Jamie, Nicholas, Lance, Najee, Tyler, Adam, Brian, Sean, Ian, Drew Knapp, and Tyler Gillet. They had an all new record for Stage 1 finishers, so a lot of the greats made it (those who made it to Vegas that is). I really don't want the season to end, but I am really psyched for the Stage 2 and 3. I really want so many of them to do well, everyone actually. If I really had to pick, I would say Drew (obviously), Joe, Daniel, Nicholas, Josh, and Ian. I also would like to see Adam Rayl, Tyler Gillet, Najee Richardson, and Tyler Yamauchi on Stage 3.
Let's talk about Drew for a second. First of all, I was really surprised it took Daniel Gil to surpass Lance Pekus' time. Like I said before, Lance never strikes me as the speedy type. However, he did better than even Joe. Lance ended with the 4th overall fastest time. Gil always puts up a fast time, but Salinas, a rookie, really surprised me. It kind of sucks they didn't show him, though. Drew, though. He even got hung up on the Propeller Bar and still finished with over 1 minute to spare and 5 seconds faster than Salinas. I've also said before that speed scares me because you can easily mess up if you don't breathe or take a pause to think. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to really apply to Drew. I really want to see him on Stage 3, but Stage 2 isn't something they can take for granted. Even though they can easily mess up on Stage 1, some people are allowed to take it for granted. In theory, Stage 4 is the ultimate Stage because it's the last, but Stage 3 is the real beast. Stage 2 is the awkward middle ground where even for the greats you don't necessarily know who can make it. Usually, Stage 3 doesn't have a lot of competitors because Stage 2 can be a real killer. There are 41 people, though, and a lot of talent. I'd like to think a lot of people could make it to Stage 3, and there is a really good chance we'll have another million dollar winner. Honestly, I think I want Drew or Joe to win it the most. I love the others like Gil, Levin, Richardson, and Dory, but Drew and Joe have worked the longest, I feel like, and they are so strong. They are my top two favorites, easily. I don't really want anyone to fail, but I can definitely see some of these Stage 1 finishers dropping in Stage 2. I'm still betting on a lot, though. I bet on the big names/fan favorites, but these people are the best in the sport because they are literally the best in the sport. No doubt there are people that get over shadowed because you still need "the right" personality, so some like Ian Dory are amazing athletes, but don't get nearly as much attention. People like Grant and Jake Murray definitely have the personality because they are super fun and outgoing and crazy, but they can still deliver a great performance. Some people don't get the attention they deserve, but for the most part, the truly great ones do get recognition. Joe and Drew and Daniel and Josh and Najee get screen time and and are advertised because they can go far. I still think if they didn't show bios or at least cut down on them they could fit in a lot more people. Last week, 5 great veterans finished and were all blown off. Stillings, Dory, Steffensen, Bull, and Rodriguez, as well as this week Stratis and Rahn were skipped. It really bothers me they didn't show all the City finishers. They showed most of them, though. I think Rahn and Dory were the only ones they skipped. They only had 9 (then 8 because of Charlie), but they still can't bother to show them. It's annoying. With 41 moving onto Stage 2, I'm sure a lot will still be skipped, but I'm hoping they give a little love to those they skipped in Stage 1, like Stillings, Dory, Coolrdige, and Rahn. But, as usual, it's not about the screen time, what matters most is that they're moving on. If they pass Stage 2, they pretty much have to be shown. I know they do Stage 2-4 in one night, but it's an extra hour and Stage 3 people deserve to be shown. It's hard to wait for a week to find out what happens. I realize a lot of favored veterans will fall at Stage 2, but I'm being optimistic and I think a lot can make it.
I'll talk about Kacy for a minute, too. I think it's really shocking she's going to be a wrestler, but whatever she thinks is best, I guess. They made such a huge deal about her. I totally agree with the fact that she paved the way for women. What she did 3 years ago was incredible and history making. She did inspire a lot of people and she helped put ANW on the map. Because of her viral video and recognition, she helped a lot of people find ANW and is probably responsible for bringing in a lot of new fans. Unfortunately, since then, she hasn't had any luck. They really amped up the course, and I believe she would not be able to finish a city final again. The last couple seasons have shown that. It was disappointing because they spent so much time on her and her legacy, but her run ended so quickly. I thought she actually was going to do better by the way they were talking about her. This being her last run ever is a big deal, and like I said, she did do a lot for the show, now we have a lot of stronger women. I would say Mighty Kacy is a fitting nickname, but I would also say Jessie Graff, and Jesse LaBreck, and Meagan Martin, and Allyssa Beird, and Barclay Stockett, all have a better shot than Kacy does/ever had. It was a really big deal, her leaving and all, but they just spent so much time on her, and she only made it to the Double Dipper. These are the kinds of things that get in the way of letting us see good runs. So often, they do these whole long bios on people, and they fall 3 or 4 obstacles into the course, but we don't get to see the finishers. I think those who can actually finish a course are, obviously, stronger and, therefore, we should get to see more into those people's lives. They're always talking about how "I'm going to hit that buzzer" or "I'm going to be the next American Ninja Warrior" but they fall! It's the most annoying thing about the show. I absolutely love ANW, but nothing is without fault, and, for me, this is a huge annoyance. Some of the bios I like, but they're overdone, and given to the wrong people, and that is what bothers me. Anyway, I was really hoping Kacy would go a little farther as a better sendoff, but at least she got past the Propeller Bar.
Jessie Graff was also really upsetting. She was so close to finishing again, and she could, and everyone thought she was a given. It was kind of devastating to see her fall. Jesse, too, was the same way. Everyone thought both of them would make it, and they are both strong enough. She'll probably be back next year, but I was so looking forward to seeing her fun Stage 2 again. It must be difficult for her on Social Media because she still has to act like "what will happen" even though she knows she fell too early. She had plenty of time, and like she said, if she had taken another swing she might have made it, but maybe she was just more tired than she thought. People in their post run interviews don't always say they fell because they were too tired. Sometimes they say they're grip gave out or they just didn't have enough, but I have seen people that looked like they didn't have anything left, but they still say it was something else. Honestly, I don't know what happened with Jessie. Maybe if she had taken the extra swing she would have hit the buzzer, and maybe she still would have fallen. I thought she looked a little tired, but the reason why doesn't change the fact that her season is over.
Meagan also had some issues with time. Jessie and Jesse are different cases for women, but usually, even if a woman is physically capable of passing all the obstacles, the time limit becomes a real issue. At least, that is what I have often seen in the past. Obstacles aren't necessarily harder for her to complete, but maybe the proportions? She spends more time on them or she spends more time in between to catch her breath or something. Women have always shown to be a little slower, even the best, which I don't really know the exact science behind it. As far as women, it was actually more disappointing. It's fantastic that Beird made it, but everyone thought more would be joining her.
I also want to mention both Tylers. First: Gillet. I think Gillet is the epitome of "The New Generation." He just turned 21, the cut-off age, and he has been not only watching, but also training for ANW for 7 years! He's a super fan, and now he gets to live the dream. Not only did he make it on the show but he reached Stage 2! Some people are 3 or 4 year veterans who are just now hitting their first Vegas buzzer. So, I definitely think Gillet has some great natural talent. He has a really great body type for it, I think. He's not too short or tall, and he's not overly muscular or bulky. He has more of a "fit" look. A little like Joe, who does not look like ANW material in the slightest. I am really looking forward to him later, I think he might be my favorite rookie of the year.
I'm also interested in Adam Rayl now. I don't really remember him from last year, but he is a walk-on. Another one to add to the list of amazing walk-ons. They have a pretty decent track record. He has a lot of potential to do great, too. I think he is fairly fast, but he fell in the 22nd spot overall. To be honest, there are a lot of the 41 people who I would bet will fall on Stage 2, even some good people, but I don't think he will. I'm going to put a lot of faith in him.
I guess I don't have that much to say. When I'm watching the show, I always have a lot to say, but when it comes to trying to remember it and writing it down, I just blank and forget a lot of what I was thinking. Every now and then I'll remember some tidbit I wanted to write, but it'll be after I've published it, and then it feels like I shouldn't bother editing a post. I think, though, a lot of what was going through my head was Kacy and Jessie, all the people they skipped (which is always on my mind when I watch), and Drew. I am very relieved almost all of my favorites finished. I feel like there isn't really that much to say. There weren't any heart-pounding moments, and the most devastating moment was Jessie falling. I don't think anyone was really that surprised that Drew not only hit the buzzer, but also had the fastest time. I think the biggest shock was Lorin Ball. There were some rookies and lesser known veterans, but no men dropped who were a huge shock. There were a few guys who stood out in the city finals who, unfortunately, didn't do too well, Lucero and Vedepo were a couple. There are a lot of new additions for me of people whose name I will recognize, but probably not their face. Finishers, I remember. I try to make an effort to remember City Finals Finishers, or even if they made it really far in Vegas. Hopefully, I will recognize more people next year, so I am not just writing about people like Drew, who is arguably the best and biggest ninja right now. The only other thing I can really think of is Coolridge. For me and my family it is pretty much a running joke now that Coolridge will always be skipped. I was really happy and shocked about the amount of time he was given in San Antonio, but as I predicted, his Stage 1 run was not shown. I'm really hoping he passes Stage 2 just so he can receive a little more attention. He was on the All Star competition and tackled Stage 3's middle section really well. He did some of the hardest obstacles with ease, so I would love to see him on the whole thing.
Overall, like I said, there wasn't a whole lot running through my mind last night. Pretty much everyone I wanted and expected to make it did. Stage 2 will definitely be interesting. It looks like they changed it (again) and added Carbone's Wing Nut as a Wing Nut maze thing. Unless the Nuts are at odd angles and separated weirdly, I don't think it will cause too much trouble. I would be surprised if they got rid of the Wedge, because that was a huge killer, and they don't want a lot of people on Stage 3, I don't think. I wish they would keep Vegas the same. When Caldiero and Britten won, I understand why they did, but no body has since then, so why change it? Are they really afraid that Drew will win it this year? Stage 3 is already pretty crazy; how would they even make it harder this year? Although, I wouldn't be surprised because they know Drew can complete 2016's Stage 3 even though he didn't do it in the regular season. OK, to kind of contradict what I've said, I can understand why they would change the courses. It just kind of bothers me they do it every year. Stage 1, they have left alone for the most part, but Stage 2 and 3 have probably changed a lot over the years. I guess, props to the course designers/creators if they can actually make Stage 3 harder than it already is.
Well, the season is almost over. Next week is the season finale, and I'm super excited. I so want someone to win again. It makes me wonder if someone else won, would they come back? Caldiero obviously didn't, but Geoff did. Then again, he didn't win the million dollars. So, my question: if someone like Joe or Drew won the million, would they be back the next year?
P.S. Sorry if I have any typos in any of my posts. I don't really bother to go back and proof read even though I know I should. I'm just lazy.
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