I should talk about the course first like with the other cities, but we have to talk about Isaac. My dad and I talk about what might really be happening behind the scenes because, as much as I love and adore this show, nothing is without fault and nothing is without the possibility of being rigged. The way I see it, there are three possibilities regarding Isaac's fall: setup, sabotage, or screwup.
First, setup. It is possible that Isaac and the producers of ANW were in on his early fall. Isaac may have accepted some amount of money (less than the winnings he would receive) and sacrificed his pride and the competition for the sure-fire cash. However, this doesn't seem that likely. I would probably believe that he would take the money in some kind of sketchy deal, but what would be the point? I suppose I understand if they don't want him to win again, but what would the point of bringing him back at all? If it was for hype and drama, why wouldn't they have him advance to Vegas? Was it just to have a big twist? It was only the Indy Finals, so even if they wanted a surprise twist, it would still seem better in Vegas. I think if some kind of deal was hashed out previously, that could make sense. Personally, I just don't really see the reason, though. I could see him taking the money, but why so short lived of a comeback?
Second, sabotage. I think it's possible Isaac was not in on anything and the producers didn't want him to advance. Again, it doesn't make a ton of sense, but still enough to be within the realm of possibility. The way I see it, they didn't want him to win again. However, if they didn't want a winner at all, they would not have needed to eliminate him early or sabotage his run specifically at all. Joe or Drew are just as likely to win it all this year, plus the course has been amped up in Vegas, so it is likely Isaac would have fallen at some point on his own. Besides, just because he won it all before does not mean he has any special advantage; it's a completely different course now. Maybe they didn't want him, specifically, to win, though. They didn't have any problem with him returning, and maybe that's because it wouldn't be fair to not allow him to compete again, yet there are probably ways and excuses for both ends in order for him to end his ANW career. So, they were probably happy for the excitement he created from his return, maybe they even asked/begged him. The same logic applies here, too, as above. If is was for drama, why take him out so early? A lot of people wanted to see him in Vegas again, myself included. He was the first official champion and prize winner, so it seems kind of like a dud to send him home early. Would it be too difficult to take him out in Vegas? In Indy, the obstacle he dropped on, Block Run, seemed the easiest to tamper with. They talked about how balance may be his weakest area, and the blocks are probably easy to set up for someone to slip. The angle it started out on may have been different from what it should have been, is what I think. So, it would have been a reasonable and easy obstacle for him to fall on. Maybe he pissed someone off, too. With the idea of sabotage, I think the only real reason is that they were afraid of him winning again. However, what would be so wrong with that? The same man winning again, I could understand it looking bad, but having another winner in general could also be seen as negative if the number of names finishing are adding up. Yet, maybe they want a winner. As my dad suggested, the popularity and attention received from having another winner would help the shows viewers and ratings, so every few years they may want a winner. Although, they did allow 7 seasons to go by without one and to shell out 1 million (or 500,000 which is what Isaac really took home) may not be worth it. There are still some really impressive people, and it is still exciting and fun to watch. Again, if they didn't want a winner at all, there is probably no reason to purposely sabotage anyone because the courses in Vegas are probably enough to eliminate everyone, anyway. The only reason for sabotage would be aimed for Isaac in particular. If the same man won again, it would make him look fantastic, but it would make the other competitors look worse. Maybe they were trying to be safe rather than sorry, and with sabotage, they wouldn't have to give him anything.
Ultimately, I do think a setup or sabotage are possible; however, my real, personal opinion is just screw up. They played the side by side of his Qualifying run and Finals run, and it looked obvious that it was all a slip-up. His foot was a few inches further down the fourth block, and he wasn't on top of it as much as last time which is all probably enough to send that block spinning as much as it did. Also, looking back at the side-by-side slow motion, it looks like all the blocks in the Finals were on the same angle and positioning as in Qualifying. He was very calm in the after interview, and I don't know if it's because he really was ok, if he was trying to save face, or he knew he was getting something regardless (sketchy deal). Still, I think he made the error and it cost him. It is extremely shocking and disappointing that he will not be returning to Vegas. I was definitely looking forward to seeing how he could handle the new Mt. Midoriyama. Like they said, as a pro rock climber, he probably doesn't spend as much time on balance. He made it through the night before, but the balance obstacles are getting really tricky and needy. It is highly unfortunate, though, that his season is over. I'm sure some people are secretly happy though. A big competitor for winning is out. multiple people can technically win, like Geoff, but only one gets the money and trophy and, let's face it, the glory. So, I'm sure there are people who are relieved that the competition shrunk a little. This may be the biggest shock of the whole season. The only things which could top this are Joe's possible early exit in Minneapolis or a new champion in Vegas. We will have to see.
Okay, now let's do the course real quick. I think it's weird that they replaced the Cannonball Drop with the Fly Wheels. They had the Fly Wheels in Miami which they replaced with Cannonball Drop. I still don't understand the changes in Finals except for reasonings that they want more finishers, which they are kind of getting. The Fly Wheels worked better in Indy than the Cannonball Drop in Miami, but still, the changes seem almost like cheating? Especially because the obstacle is not the same in every city. In L.A. they switched the "wear out" obstacle. A.k.a. the one that comes before the 5th obstacle which is meant to sap strength in order to make the 5th obstacle harder. However, in Dallas, they switched the balance obstacle. A lot of people slipped up on that, and so they probably changed it so that those same people could advance, people like Barclay, but all the same upper body obstacles remained. In L.A. they had the Sky Hooks changed to something less taxing. As we move through the cities, I'm thinking L.A. was the easiest so far. They switched up the front half to save the most energy than in other cities, and the Giant Cubes, as finger strength intensive as they were, did allow for feet and lower body use. In comparison to the other cities, Indy did seem very rough. First, I think the Spin Hopper is difficult because it was so technical and awkward. The way they have to jump up to the next pill thing while simultaneously being soft looked challenging. Also, The Clacker seemed like a good "wear out" obstacle and Cane Lane looked real rough. I don't know if I would put it any higher than Miami, though. Miami's Stair Hopper was really hard, but Indy's Clacker may have been harder than the Crazy Clocks. I would put the Spin Hopper a notch above Slippery Summit, and the Wheel Flip in Indy slightly above the Ring Turn, I think. The Ring Turn was more awkward for people to attempt, but they could utilize their whole body to save some energy. However, they both used the same hand motions, so I'm not sure about those two. Looking at the number of finishers, 3 completed just like last week, but there was a rookie in the mix for Indy. Overall, I don't think Indy got easier, but I don't necessarily think it was significantly harder, either. It pretty on par with Miami, and a little harder than Dallas. Of course, I still don't like the obstacle substitution changes; I don't think it helps in any way for evening out the cities. I think Cane Lane competes the closest with The Stair Hopper. I couldn't even tell what was happening whenever someone was on Cane Lane. I think the Cane shape in particular made it challenging. It looked like people just dropped for no reason, like it was really difficult to place it right. Plus, the grip hold looked uncomfortable and taxing. So, I think the hardest course so far would be between Miami and Indy, possibly leaning more toward Indy.
Alright, now let's talk finishers. First, all three were City Finals Finisher rookies. All of them hit their first Finals buzzer, and that's kind of cool. Hitting a buzzer now is more impressive and exciting because the courses are harder than they were 3, 4, and 5 years ago. These courses are little more tame than the last couple years, but we're still only getting a handful of finishers. Ethan Swanson walking away with the fastest time was interesting. I don't know if he is very fast. He's not known for speed like Drew, but I think he knows how to set a good, consistent pace. They skipped him in Qualifying and last year he had an early exit, so it's good to see him at the top. I noticed a lot of people who were skipped in Qualifying were shown and those skipped in Finals were shown in Qualifying. I usually don't expect it because I remember the people shown and then I recognize them when they say "while you were away," so it's kind of an "oh..." moment. I think it's good, spread the love throughout consistently, especially if those people don't do as well in the Finals. An example of all this was Kyle Stradtman, the dog walker. He finished the Qualifiers and was shown with a bio, but put on commercial break this week. He fell early, unfortunately, but he is a prime example of having his good run shown and seeing the camera, but also allowing time for others, to put it nicely. He didn't do as well, anyway, so it's good that they try to skip those who don't go as far (sorry if that sounds kind of mean, but it's the only way I can put it).
I also want to give a quick shoutout to Dan Polizzi. He may not have been able to climb the Spider Trap, but he was 1 of only 4 to pass Cane Lane which is still worth mentioning and praising.
So, now I have to go on my routine bio rant. There was one I liked and one I didn't. First, 20 year old rookie and finisher Trevor West. I think his bio was a great one specifically for ANW. ANW comes first in the lineup and is the literal reason behind his strength. Because of ANW, he started to work out and gain confidence. This is the kind of bio which I think is like a "poster bio" for the show. It shows the significance of ANW and its impact. However, on the other side is Madelynn McNeal. Her story about her depression and then new found joy was fine, but also a very personal thing which ANW didn't have much to do with in terms of her healing. Plus, she said her reason for running was to prove to herself that she could overcome things. That isn't even as inspiring to others as some stories are. I think it's great her life turned around, and being on the show means a lot to her, but it's all a personal story. Why do we at home need to know her specific reason for running the course? She was running for herself, which is fine, she's not the only one. I just didn't feel it added anything to her run. I don't understand what she went through or is still going through. I don't want to diss or her or gloss over her struggles, it just didn't seem like there should have been a whole bio. I know I sound really horrible, but I always do when I talk about bios. I did like Trevor West's, but I could still do without bios altogether.
Speaking of Trevor West, I think it is so great to see the youngest people genuinely advance to Vegas. Matthew Day, Mathis Owhadi, and now Trevor West prove that they really have what it takes. At such a young age they are able to do what so many others couldn't. They weren't just good enough, they were great. There time in Vegas is completely legitimate, and they should be extremely proud. It's truly incredible what they can do. Special props to Trevor West though, because I think they said he doesn't train in a ninja gym like Day or "the Kid'. Maybe I'm wrong, but if it's true, I think that is extra crazy. The Kid trains with one of the all time best, Daniel Gil, but going in blind like West really proves how serious this guy is. With people like these three, they're only going to get better over the next 5-10 years, and I'm hoping they are the next Joe Moravsky. Trevor West was also within 5 seconds of the fastest time which is a prize in itself.
Lastly, Rigel Henry. I never would have guessed he would finish. He's not my favorite, but he really showed he was worthy of the buzzer. First, he was the first to conquer the Cane Lane, and he pushed through the Spider Trap despite the lack of traction with his shoes. He proved he had immense upper body and grip strength but also lower body and core strength during the Spider Trap. He also showcased great determination; I kept thinking he was going to drop, and he never did. He's still not my favorite, and with this run it'll be interesting to see how far he can push through in Vegas. He wasn't perfect here, and in Vegas you need to be even more perfect than in the city courses. I think he reached Stage 2 last year, so maybe he is a hidden gem and one of the best. As far as Team Hair, he definitely does not have as nice of hair as Daniel Gil, but if he likes it, who am I to judge?
While we are on Team Hair, for just a moment, I wanted to mention Jonas Duncan, the youngest member. I don't really think his fall was because of a "rookie mistake." Yes, he missed the grab which caused him to fall on the Wheel Flip, but I think it could happen to a vet, too. It was his mistake, I'm not trying to excuse him, but I think a pro vet can fall in the same way, too. it doesn't really have to do with anything, just an observation.
Real quick, two of my favorites: Tyler Yamauchi and Travis Rosen. Both victims of the Cane Lane. I Really like Tyler, I think he's getting more attention lately, and it's well deserved. He did great last year, and was the closest to being Kansas City's only finisher. He really does seem to have tremendous power, and I am waiting for it to be fully realized. I really thought he would be the first finisher of the night. It was crazy to see him on The Clacker. Being shorter obviously didn't affect him, but made it much more impressive that he was able dominate it so easily. Similarly, Travis Rosen is one of my favorites. He's an OG ninja in my book. I just saw a rerun of 2016 in Atlanta where he ran the city finals. The Clacker was in that course, too, and he made easy work of that, so I knew he would be fine. Again, I would have guessed he could pass Cane Lane, but I suppose it isn't the biggest shock he fell. I'm glad he and Tyler are returning to Vegas; I always enjoy watching them.
Also, Brian Arnold joins Nick Hanson, Thomas Stillings, and Casey Suchocki in the corner group. I don't know if this is a diss or a "take what you can get" kind of deal. I appreciate getting to see their whole run, I suppose, but it's not the focus and we don't hear the commentary, so is it really all that great? Because the Eskimo Ninja was the first to be cornered, I call it getting Nick Hanson'd. I don't know how they feel about it or how others feel. I really don't know if I like it or not. Clearly, it does bother me when certain people get skipped, but not when everyone gets skipped, so there is definitely some favoritism there. Brian Arnold is not one of my all time favorites, but he is very loyal and one of the OGs of ANW. He was skipped in Qualifiers, so I thought they would give him something. I guess they did, but is it really that great?
Also, looking at the list, only one person fell on the Clacker? The 15 slot went to Phillip Hucke on the Salmon Ladder and everyone before the 14th place Alex Carson was Cane Lane or finisher (or Spider Trap, sorry Dan). I know Cane Lane was the killer of the night, but the Clacker didn't throw people off? I guess a good chunk still couldn't pass the Spin Hopper, but only one on the 8th obstacle is really weird. There were also a lot of saves on the Clacker, so maybe that was it.
Finally, last but not least, Jesse Labreck. I would also like to point out that her and her boyfriend, Chris DiGangi, fell at the same place yet again. Anyway, there's not actually that much to say about her. She kind of speaks for herself. I think her and Jessie Graff were the best shot at a woman finishing a Finals course. I think Allyssa Beird is great, but I don't really see her finishing. Jessie Graff is still the closest one from last year. Labreck is definitely one of the best women. I would place her second only to Graff. I don't want to doubt Beird, but Jessie, Jesse, and Barclay are out, so I feel like we probably won't see a female finals finisher. I won't completely count out Beird or Martin, but I'm not feeling too great.
Overall, a shocking night. I am bummed to see Isaac go home. I really wanted to see him tackle the new Mt. Midoriyama, but there is always next year. I hope he keeps competing. Comment what you think about the courses, the women, and if anyone knows where Lorin Ball is. He wasn't here, and I don't remember seeing him anywhere else. Is he not competing? Also, let me know what you think about the whole Isaac situation. I think it was a mistake, but do you think there was something going on behind the scenes? I'd love to know your opinions, and I'll talk to you next week in Philadelphia.
First, setup. It is possible that Isaac and the producers of ANW were in on his early fall. Isaac may have accepted some amount of money (less than the winnings he would receive) and sacrificed his pride and the competition for the sure-fire cash. However, this doesn't seem that likely. I would probably believe that he would take the money in some kind of sketchy deal, but what would be the point? I suppose I understand if they don't want him to win again, but what would the point of bringing him back at all? If it was for hype and drama, why wouldn't they have him advance to Vegas? Was it just to have a big twist? It was only the Indy Finals, so even if they wanted a surprise twist, it would still seem better in Vegas. I think if some kind of deal was hashed out previously, that could make sense. Personally, I just don't really see the reason, though. I could see him taking the money, but why so short lived of a comeback?
Second, sabotage. I think it's possible Isaac was not in on anything and the producers didn't want him to advance. Again, it doesn't make a ton of sense, but still enough to be within the realm of possibility. The way I see it, they didn't want him to win again. However, if they didn't want a winner at all, they would not have needed to eliminate him early or sabotage his run specifically at all. Joe or Drew are just as likely to win it all this year, plus the course has been amped up in Vegas, so it is likely Isaac would have fallen at some point on his own. Besides, just because he won it all before does not mean he has any special advantage; it's a completely different course now. Maybe they didn't want him, specifically, to win, though. They didn't have any problem with him returning, and maybe that's because it wouldn't be fair to not allow him to compete again, yet there are probably ways and excuses for both ends in order for him to end his ANW career. So, they were probably happy for the excitement he created from his return, maybe they even asked/begged him. The same logic applies here, too, as above. If is was for drama, why take him out so early? A lot of people wanted to see him in Vegas again, myself included. He was the first official champion and prize winner, so it seems kind of like a dud to send him home early. Would it be too difficult to take him out in Vegas? In Indy, the obstacle he dropped on, Block Run, seemed the easiest to tamper with. They talked about how balance may be his weakest area, and the blocks are probably easy to set up for someone to slip. The angle it started out on may have been different from what it should have been, is what I think. So, it would have been a reasonable and easy obstacle for him to fall on. Maybe he pissed someone off, too. With the idea of sabotage, I think the only real reason is that they were afraid of him winning again. However, what would be so wrong with that? The same man winning again, I could understand it looking bad, but having another winner in general could also be seen as negative if the number of names finishing are adding up. Yet, maybe they want a winner. As my dad suggested, the popularity and attention received from having another winner would help the shows viewers and ratings, so every few years they may want a winner. Although, they did allow 7 seasons to go by without one and to shell out 1 million (or 500,000 which is what Isaac really took home) may not be worth it. There are still some really impressive people, and it is still exciting and fun to watch. Again, if they didn't want a winner at all, there is probably no reason to purposely sabotage anyone because the courses in Vegas are probably enough to eliminate everyone, anyway. The only reason for sabotage would be aimed for Isaac in particular. If the same man won again, it would make him look fantastic, but it would make the other competitors look worse. Maybe they were trying to be safe rather than sorry, and with sabotage, they wouldn't have to give him anything.
Ultimately, I do think a setup or sabotage are possible; however, my real, personal opinion is just screw up. They played the side by side of his Qualifying run and Finals run, and it looked obvious that it was all a slip-up. His foot was a few inches further down the fourth block, and he wasn't on top of it as much as last time which is all probably enough to send that block spinning as much as it did. Also, looking back at the side-by-side slow motion, it looks like all the blocks in the Finals were on the same angle and positioning as in Qualifying. He was very calm in the after interview, and I don't know if it's because he really was ok, if he was trying to save face, or he knew he was getting something regardless (sketchy deal). Still, I think he made the error and it cost him. It is extremely shocking and disappointing that he will not be returning to Vegas. I was definitely looking forward to seeing how he could handle the new Mt. Midoriyama. Like they said, as a pro rock climber, he probably doesn't spend as much time on balance. He made it through the night before, but the balance obstacles are getting really tricky and needy. It is highly unfortunate, though, that his season is over. I'm sure some people are secretly happy though. A big competitor for winning is out. multiple people can technically win, like Geoff, but only one gets the money and trophy and, let's face it, the glory. So, I'm sure there are people who are relieved that the competition shrunk a little. This may be the biggest shock of the whole season. The only things which could top this are Joe's possible early exit in Minneapolis or a new champion in Vegas. We will have to see.
Okay, now let's do the course real quick. I think it's weird that they replaced the Cannonball Drop with the Fly Wheels. They had the Fly Wheels in Miami which they replaced with Cannonball Drop. I still don't understand the changes in Finals except for reasonings that they want more finishers, which they are kind of getting. The Fly Wheels worked better in Indy than the Cannonball Drop in Miami, but still, the changes seem almost like cheating? Especially because the obstacle is not the same in every city. In L.A. they switched the "wear out" obstacle. A.k.a. the one that comes before the 5th obstacle which is meant to sap strength in order to make the 5th obstacle harder. However, in Dallas, they switched the balance obstacle. A lot of people slipped up on that, and so they probably changed it so that those same people could advance, people like Barclay, but all the same upper body obstacles remained. In L.A. they had the Sky Hooks changed to something less taxing. As we move through the cities, I'm thinking L.A. was the easiest so far. They switched up the front half to save the most energy than in other cities, and the Giant Cubes, as finger strength intensive as they were, did allow for feet and lower body use. In comparison to the other cities, Indy did seem very rough. First, I think the Spin Hopper is difficult because it was so technical and awkward. The way they have to jump up to the next pill thing while simultaneously being soft looked challenging. Also, The Clacker seemed like a good "wear out" obstacle and Cane Lane looked real rough. I don't know if I would put it any higher than Miami, though. Miami's Stair Hopper was really hard, but Indy's Clacker may have been harder than the Crazy Clocks. I would put the Spin Hopper a notch above Slippery Summit, and the Wheel Flip in Indy slightly above the Ring Turn, I think. The Ring Turn was more awkward for people to attempt, but they could utilize their whole body to save some energy. However, they both used the same hand motions, so I'm not sure about those two. Looking at the number of finishers, 3 completed just like last week, but there was a rookie in the mix for Indy. Overall, I don't think Indy got easier, but I don't necessarily think it was significantly harder, either. It pretty on par with Miami, and a little harder than Dallas. Of course, I still don't like the obstacle substitution changes; I don't think it helps in any way for evening out the cities. I think Cane Lane competes the closest with The Stair Hopper. I couldn't even tell what was happening whenever someone was on Cane Lane. I think the Cane shape in particular made it challenging. It looked like people just dropped for no reason, like it was really difficult to place it right. Plus, the grip hold looked uncomfortable and taxing. So, I think the hardest course so far would be between Miami and Indy, possibly leaning more toward Indy.
Alright, now let's talk finishers. First, all three were City Finals Finisher rookies. All of them hit their first Finals buzzer, and that's kind of cool. Hitting a buzzer now is more impressive and exciting because the courses are harder than they were 3, 4, and 5 years ago. These courses are little more tame than the last couple years, but we're still only getting a handful of finishers. Ethan Swanson walking away with the fastest time was interesting. I don't know if he is very fast. He's not known for speed like Drew, but I think he knows how to set a good, consistent pace. They skipped him in Qualifying and last year he had an early exit, so it's good to see him at the top. I noticed a lot of people who were skipped in Qualifying were shown and those skipped in Finals were shown in Qualifying. I usually don't expect it because I remember the people shown and then I recognize them when they say "while you were away," so it's kind of an "oh..." moment. I think it's good, spread the love throughout consistently, especially if those people don't do as well in the Finals. An example of all this was Kyle Stradtman, the dog walker. He finished the Qualifiers and was shown with a bio, but put on commercial break this week. He fell early, unfortunately, but he is a prime example of having his good run shown and seeing the camera, but also allowing time for others, to put it nicely. He didn't do as well, anyway, so it's good that they try to skip those who don't go as far (sorry if that sounds kind of mean, but it's the only way I can put it).
I also want to give a quick shoutout to Dan Polizzi. He may not have been able to climb the Spider Trap, but he was 1 of only 4 to pass Cane Lane which is still worth mentioning and praising.
So, now I have to go on my routine bio rant. There was one I liked and one I didn't. First, 20 year old rookie and finisher Trevor West. I think his bio was a great one specifically for ANW. ANW comes first in the lineup and is the literal reason behind his strength. Because of ANW, he started to work out and gain confidence. This is the kind of bio which I think is like a "poster bio" for the show. It shows the significance of ANW and its impact. However, on the other side is Madelynn McNeal. Her story about her depression and then new found joy was fine, but also a very personal thing which ANW didn't have much to do with in terms of her healing. Plus, she said her reason for running was to prove to herself that she could overcome things. That isn't even as inspiring to others as some stories are. I think it's great her life turned around, and being on the show means a lot to her, but it's all a personal story. Why do we at home need to know her specific reason for running the course? She was running for herself, which is fine, she's not the only one. I just didn't feel it added anything to her run. I don't understand what she went through or is still going through. I don't want to diss or her or gloss over her struggles, it just didn't seem like there should have been a whole bio. I know I sound really horrible, but I always do when I talk about bios. I did like Trevor West's, but I could still do without bios altogether.
Speaking of Trevor West, I think it is so great to see the youngest people genuinely advance to Vegas. Matthew Day, Mathis Owhadi, and now Trevor West prove that they really have what it takes. At such a young age they are able to do what so many others couldn't. They weren't just good enough, they were great. There time in Vegas is completely legitimate, and they should be extremely proud. It's truly incredible what they can do. Special props to Trevor West though, because I think they said he doesn't train in a ninja gym like Day or "the Kid'. Maybe I'm wrong, but if it's true, I think that is extra crazy. The Kid trains with one of the all time best, Daniel Gil, but going in blind like West really proves how serious this guy is. With people like these three, they're only going to get better over the next 5-10 years, and I'm hoping they are the next Joe Moravsky. Trevor West was also within 5 seconds of the fastest time which is a prize in itself.
Lastly, Rigel Henry. I never would have guessed he would finish. He's not my favorite, but he really showed he was worthy of the buzzer. First, he was the first to conquer the Cane Lane, and he pushed through the Spider Trap despite the lack of traction with his shoes. He proved he had immense upper body and grip strength but also lower body and core strength during the Spider Trap. He also showcased great determination; I kept thinking he was going to drop, and he never did. He's still not my favorite, and with this run it'll be interesting to see how far he can push through in Vegas. He wasn't perfect here, and in Vegas you need to be even more perfect than in the city courses. I think he reached Stage 2 last year, so maybe he is a hidden gem and one of the best. As far as Team Hair, he definitely does not have as nice of hair as Daniel Gil, but if he likes it, who am I to judge?
While we are on Team Hair, for just a moment, I wanted to mention Jonas Duncan, the youngest member. I don't really think his fall was because of a "rookie mistake." Yes, he missed the grab which caused him to fall on the Wheel Flip, but I think it could happen to a vet, too. It was his mistake, I'm not trying to excuse him, but I think a pro vet can fall in the same way, too. it doesn't really have to do with anything, just an observation.
Real quick, two of my favorites: Tyler Yamauchi and Travis Rosen. Both victims of the Cane Lane. I Really like Tyler, I think he's getting more attention lately, and it's well deserved. He did great last year, and was the closest to being Kansas City's only finisher. He really does seem to have tremendous power, and I am waiting for it to be fully realized. I really thought he would be the first finisher of the night. It was crazy to see him on The Clacker. Being shorter obviously didn't affect him, but made it much more impressive that he was able dominate it so easily. Similarly, Travis Rosen is one of my favorites. He's an OG ninja in my book. I just saw a rerun of 2016 in Atlanta where he ran the city finals. The Clacker was in that course, too, and he made easy work of that, so I knew he would be fine. Again, I would have guessed he could pass Cane Lane, but I suppose it isn't the biggest shock he fell. I'm glad he and Tyler are returning to Vegas; I always enjoy watching them.
Also, Brian Arnold joins Nick Hanson, Thomas Stillings, and Casey Suchocki in the corner group. I don't know if this is a diss or a "take what you can get" kind of deal. I appreciate getting to see their whole run, I suppose, but it's not the focus and we don't hear the commentary, so is it really all that great? Because the Eskimo Ninja was the first to be cornered, I call it getting Nick Hanson'd. I don't know how they feel about it or how others feel. I really don't know if I like it or not. Clearly, it does bother me when certain people get skipped, but not when everyone gets skipped, so there is definitely some favoritism there. Brian Arnold is not one of my all time favorites, but he is very loyal and one of the OGs of ANW. He was skipped in Qualifiers, so I thought they would give him something. I guess they did, but is it really that great?
Also, looking at the list, only one person fell on the Clacker? The 15 slot went to Phillip Hucke on the Salmon Ladder and everyone before the 14th place Alex Carson was Cane Lane or finisher (or Spider Trap, sorry Dan). I know Cane Lane was the killer of the night, but the Clacker didn't throw people off? I guess a good chunk still couldn't pass the Spin Hopper, but only one on the 8th obstacle is really weird. There were also a lot of saves on the Clacker, so maybe that was it.
Finally, last but not least, Jesse Labreck. I would also like to point out that her and her boyfriend, Chris DiGangi, fell at the same place yet again. Anyway, there's not actually that much to say about her. She kind of speaks for herself. I think her and Jessie Graff were the best shot at a woman finishing a Finals course. I think Allyssa Beird is great, but I don't really see her finishing. Jessie Graff is still the closest one from last year. Labreck is definitely one of the best women. I would place her second only to Graff. I don't want to doubt Beird, but Jessie, Jesse, and Barclay are out, so I feel like we probably won't see a female finals finisher. I won't completely count out Beird or Martin, but I'm not feeling too great.
Overall, a shocking night. I am bummed to see Isaac go home. I really wanted to see him tackle the new Mt. Midoriyama, but there is always next year. I hope he keeps competing. Comment what you think about the courses, the women, and if anyone knows where Lorin Ball is. He wasn't here, and I don't remember seeing him anywhere else. Is he not competing? Also, let me know what you think about the whole Isaac situation. I think it was a mistake, but do you think there was something going on behind the scenes? I'd love to know your opinions, and I'll talk to you next week in Philadelphia.
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