Okay, so we're going to try something new. I'm kind of returning to my old roots, and I'm just going to write as I watch. It's going to be a little bit stream of consciousness, and I'm actually coming in a little late, but let's go.
I started writing on Alex Carson's snippet. Now I'm seeing David Wright, and man, it sucks that they skipped him. They advertised him, and yet... Plus he got to The Dungeon? I think he should have been shown. I still think he'll advance. David Wright is great for the next generation. At 22, we should be seeing him again, and I do believe he could be one of the greats. He's roommates and friends with Caleb Bergstrom, so the two of them training together could give us something pretty great.
So, Amir Malik. He's on my radar, for sure, and he's on my list for advancers. They're giving him a lot of time for his bio, and I actually thought they pretty much already went over this. I thought he had a bio about his heart in Qualifiers? This doesn't really seem necessary or even new? So, I'm a little confused. Honestly, if it's an inspiration thing...okay? But they already did it. Anyway, he made a great impression on my in Qualifiers. He really was fluid on Clockwork. I don't really think being light is a probably on momentum obstacles because women are lighter and they get some really great momentum. He's really showing natural talent, a certain normalcy on the course like he has been doing these kinds of things forever. Honestly, a lot of people are like this. People like Joe and Daniel are the best because they're do natural. The bigger guys, a few here and there, may be good, but aren't the best. And you can tell because there's a certain heaviness in their movements. Malik is looking really good. The way he is attacking The Dungeon right from the beginning is promising. It shows that he isn't tired. That's great because it seems like stamina and endurance is showing how important they are in ANW. If he finishes, at the 30 minute mark, might mean we'll have more finishers. There are some pretty big names. Malik, for a rookie, looks really good on Spider Trap. If he falls, I ain't even mad. He's doing great. Wow, he was so close. I may actually go back and see what might list was, but I do remember that David and Amir were on it. I definitely think both will advance.
Okay, quick while we're on commercial break. Meagan actually didn't surprise me. She may be a fan favorite, and she may have been one of the best in the past, but now there are some really strong women, and I just don't think she's been keeping up with them. My prediction was Graff and Howard, and now, I'm still sticking to that. I think Mady Howard is a great new addition for women, and I think she'll pass Meagan's spot. The fact that Meagan also ran so early makes things shaky. It's hard to gauge because sometimes someone will be show early and still move on. The only thing is, the later you're shown, the better (if you're actually shown, not put on commercial break). They always put people like Sean Bryan and Joe Moravsky and Daniel Gil last because they're some of the best runs. Jessie will be shown late, I guarantee that.
Verdale, who was shown first, is one of those guys--kind of like Jody Avila and Karsten Williams--where they can do great, no doubt, but they're not a given. They're not super easy on the course, so you never really know how far they'll go.
I'm a little bummed they skipped Thomas Stillings, but I guess they gave him his story in Qualifiers, and that's that. Malik got it twice, but he made it to Spider Trap, so I guess that is how it balances out.
Wait, wait, wait. SEAN BRAYN. Nooooooo! He was on my list to complete. He really was a contender to win it all! No! I'm so disappointed! I would have bet money that he would be in the finals! NO! I can't believe it. Ugh.
I'm a little surprised they didn't show more about Najee in Qualifiers. He was still shown in Qualifiers, but because of the Black Lives Matter movement, I thought they would focus more on him. Actually, I think they have shown more about the coronavirus fighters and the hospital workers than any of the Black Lives Matter supporters. It's also interesting that they show him mid-run. It's not bad, in fact, it actually works pretty well because we don't really need to see the first few obstacles. That's the way they should do it more often, especially if the bio is long. They should have cut with Amir the way they did here with Najee. Najee is running earlier than I would have expected, but as a gymnast, I am not surprised that he's doing well with Corkscrew. He's always had good experience with body control. Sometimes he lacks some grip strength, I think. It's never seemed like his asthma and endurance was the cause for his dropping in the past. I think it's been more his general strength. I don't know what it's like to have asthma, but until they mentioned it that one year (2 years ago, I guess) I never would have suspected. It was actually kind of random, the way they threw it in there. It felt like an excuse for his failure on Stage 2, but I don't know how asthma works on someone on a course like this, so I really shouldn't be judging and saying anything on the matter. The point is that Najee finished. I am surprised. Honestly. I know Najee is a great athlete. His gymnast background is extremely helpful, and he's really stepped up the past couple years. He deserves it. I don't really think that he'll be a contender for the $100k prize, though, especially if it's speed based. I'll get into next week, but I don't think I'm going to be too fond of the Finals this year. Najee was on my list, but I didn't think he'd finish. That said, what do I know? Sean Bryan is already out, so whatever.
Okay, commercial break. Let's hit back to the others. I was talking about Stillings. They might not be too interested in him, honestly. He didn't compete last year because he didn't get the call. I think he did this year because of his story with his wife. I think he was the leader of his team, so he was the one they specifically wanted. I like him. I remember when I first saw him, he had some kind of rivalry with Daniel Gil. I wonder if that is still in place. They don't really talk about them together, anymore. It also seemed like Stillings was a little wild and erratic, but he seems to have really calmed down. He lost the Genie pants and the longer hair, and it just seems like maybe he was maturing and doing other things, so maybe the producers and whoever weren't as into him. They really like people who have a lot of personality or who are really loud voices for the show, so it wouldn't be surprising if we don't see him too much in the future.
Taylor Johnson I don't have anything to say. I don't really remember her from the Qualifiers. Jessica Helmer? I also don't really remember her. Oh, RJ Roman saved her. Yeah, that's stupid. It doesn't surprise me at all that she fell pretty soon. Lewis? I couldn't catch his name to spell it correctly. He really didn't get any attention at all. Must not have a story, just a regular guy.
Will Schlageter. Definitely remember him. Again, this story was literally told already. Probably verbatim, right? We saw this clip, we heard Matt say that. So, why? We know. They didn't rehammer Thomas Stillings story about his wife? Obviously we know that Will gets another shot, and we know he wants a buzzer, and we know he's not going to waste his shot, and we know, we know, we know! That was a waste of a bio, and that is the kind of waste of time that really bothers me. It is completely unnecessary. Which poor runner will be shut out because they had to give time to retell as bio? They've done this before, too: show the little interview clips in the corner while they run the course. This would have been a good time to do that. Just interview clips that could easily be shown simultaneously. Ugh, it's annoying. Y'all know how I feel about their bios. Anyway, y'all also know how interested I am in the next generation. He could be a contender, but I don't think he's the next Joe. I think Amir or Tage (who should be running later) is closer to the next Joe. Will seems like a work in progress. The natural ease we just saw from Amir isn't quite there, in my opinion. It seems like Matt agrees a little because he keeps talking about how he's using his strength, and blah blah blah. I don't know what to guess right now. Okay, I'm actually not that surprised about his fall. I don't think it'll be enough to pass on though. Like last week, I think The Dungeon will be the cut-off. When you have this many great athletes, and only 12 moving on, I think the Corkscrew is pretty much the minimum test.
Another commercial break. I don't really remember who else ran before I started who I haven't mentioned. While we're on commercial break, I will say this. I love the City Finals and Stage 2 and 3 of Vegas (and the Semi-finals, now) because everyone you see is pretty much someone you know who is great. I guess this really applies to the later stages of Vegas, because they're really weeded out the losers by then. Sorry to use that word, I just don't know what else to use. You know what I mean, though, with losers. It's not so much weeding out as it is revealing who is actually the best and most deserving. Even now, though there are people I don't really recognize, you still get to see someone major like Najee less than half way through. That's kind of what I mean. You don't have to wait as long to see someone you recognize. Although, I do recognize a lot of people, but I can't know all of them. My memory is not great at all, so if I remember them, that does actually mean something. For me at least. If I recognize a name or face than I know they were special.
We're back. Who did they skip? Lorin Ball? Brian Kretsch (I hope I spelled that right because it moved too quickly)? David Campbell? Wow, I can't believe they skipped all of them! It is pretty cool that there are guys who have been on all 12 seasons. Campbell also hit the Mega Wall, so I guess I was expecting them to show him. At the same time, they did have a nice little connection for the commercial break. I'm guessing none of them are going to move on, so it's probably not too big of a deal. It's extra annoying when someone does well and moves on in the end, but they're skipped. Like Adam Rayl last week. They deserve that. I have no doubt someone will finish "over commercial" break. And if they didn't repeat Amir and Will's stories, then we'd probably have time to see all the finishers. Alas, who will be the poor slump who gets passed over?
Okay, Lance Pekus though. I actually remember Lance from when I first started watching the show. I remember him and Jessie Graff in a CA city course. I actually remember an obstacle, too. In a second. I can't believe that Lance fell! With the story and the timing, and the fact that he was shown, I really was expecting something more. That is a shock. Although, the balance obstacle doesn't really surprise me too much. Honestly, the balance obstacles are always nerve wracking because literally they are just like a shot in the dark. I guess technically that is the way any obstacle is, but the balance ones always get me on the edge of my seat. A balance obstacle is the one that I wouldn't be surprised regardless of who fell on it. If it was Daniel or even Joe, of course it would be crazy, but if they ever fell early or didn't advance somehow, it would for sure be because of a balance obstacle. Anyway, the obstacle was something like a bounce of a mini trampoline and then they had to grab a set of nunchucks. Then, I think they either swung to a cargo net or another set. So, that, assuming it is correct, is one of my earliest memories of ANW. Let's hope it's right because that would be pretty embarrassing, wouldn't it.
So, Lance is out. That's a bummer. I don't think he was on my list from last week, but that also could have been because I forgot about him/didn't realize he was running tonight. I'm not sure how he would have fared on the Corkscrew, though.
More people passed. Alex Nye? Don't remember him, oops. I do feel bad. I'd like to remember everyone, but I guess it's not too big of a deal when these people aren't moving on, anyway. But Tiana Webberely? Wow, I definitely thought she would have been shown. Mady and Jessie may have been my predictions, and they still are, but I thought Tiana would give Maddy a good run for her money. Guess not. I'm guessing Mady will be doing pretty well because she was shown. It also could be because she is a nurse fighting Covid. Now, again, we kind of have a repeat which is annoying as all get-out! Is it really necessary to show her hitting the buzzer? Honestly, it's not really that exciting. This is only her 2nd year, so it's not like it was a long goal like with Tiana. But whatever, they like wasting time. So, let's actually see her run. She is surprising. She doesn't look like one of the women who would be at the top. Jessie and Jesse and Barclay are muscular. You can tell they workout and are strong. It's not that Mady is out of shape. No way, but she doesn't look like she could run these courses. That makes her that much more impressive. No! I can't believe she went out! No way! Now was she faster than Meagan? Oh my gosh, I can't believe she's out. I had so much faith in her!
Tage Herrington was interesting last time we saw him. I think he's perfect for the next generation. I hope he doesn't move too fast or get too cocky, but he was really good on Ferris Wheel in Qualifiers. He definitely still looks 12 years old, but I'm excited for him. NO! Just like that he's out too! Oh, I agree with Akbar. He did seem a little overconfident. That is such a shame. I was really rooting for him. I'm actually disappointed that he won't be moving on. I didn't think he would have much of a shot for winning, but I wanted to see what he could do. Seeing rookies against all star veterans is fun because you get to see what these rookies are made of, and some might really surprise you, and at the same time you get to see why these all star veterans are truly "all stars." Sometimes, when you just see one person against the course, you forget how amazing this person is (until you see them on Stage 3 and they beast it compared to the others). The Power Tower starts to give that, but we still usually see the best.
Okay, so let's try sneaking in something about the course. Really, not a big fan of Slingshot. It is harder for a spectator to truly appreciate it, I think, because I can't really tell how technical and difficult it is. I know great people have fallen on it (Tage just now, and Jake fell on it last year, I think). But, I personally, don't understand the specifics of the physics of why it makes it so challenging. I also think there are better obstacles in general, because Slingshot is kind of just a ramped up version of a very normal obstacle. If the cradles were flat, then it's really just like any obstacle anyone would train on. But whatever, I'll get more into during another commercial break
Jeri (don't know how to spell her name off the top of my head) I didn't know was running tonight. That is really interesting because that means she beat out Meagan and Mady. We know that Jessie is going to hit the Corkscrew and now we know for sure that she is moving on. Man, I was really betting on Mady. I never would have guessed that Jeri took that 2nd spot. I do remember her one year she did really well, but man I think I would have preferred Mady. I know that kind of sucks, but I am allowed to like certain people more than others. I just thought Mady had it! She was so good last year and this year! Dang.
Michael is growing on me. He has a super adorable dog, I'm just going to throw that out there. Its name is Hershey, I think, and it's so cute. Wait! I saw Ethan Swanson on the screen. Ethan didn't run last week. Ethan isn't running in the semi-finals? What? He was on the Power Tower. He moved on? Are they not going to address that? I thought Ethan would be moving far this season. What? I'll probably not get an answer, but man. Lots of people already scratched off of my list. Torres, I'm hoping is not, though. He isn't doing it perfectly, but he didn't get twisted up, so he did something right. Right now, will he finish? Dunno. I would not bet on him either way because he could go both ways. I don't think he'll win it all, I'll say that. He is surprising, but we already saw that Joe beat him on the Power Tower. Okay, I will say that if he beat the second half of The Dungeon, I'll bet on him finishing. That's a tough move. Beating Najee's time isn't really anything. Najee has never been fast. Oh his dog is so cute! I just saw it. What does time get you right now? What does it matter if he gets the fastest time? All we want is for him to finish, which he just did! Wow, wow, wow. I should have had more faith in Torres. He's been doing really well since last year, I think. He's hitting his prime. And he ran in jeans. That's a real choice.
Back to the course. I actually don't have anything to say other than my comment on the Slingshot. I do appreciate that they kept the back half the same. I actually really appreciate that. The Corkscrew they just had to keep, but I thought that they'd switch up The Dungeon. I figured they do it for the sake of something new, but I like that everyone is getting tested on the same back half of the course. I think the 2nd obstacle and the 5th obstacle are the only ones they changed because last week had Burnt Rubber, too, right? You should know that I'm too lazy to look it up, even though it'd take, like, 1 minute. But, it's posing more of a challenge this time around. It was like that 2nd obstacle in the Qualifiers. It was between Night 2 and 3, I think, and it was that jumping one where all of a sudden the second week it was used, everyone was falling. David Campbell also fell to it, but he got crafty. The one Michelle fell on. It was their week that it was taking, like, everyone out but it didn't seem like a big deal the first time. Maybe not that many people have really fell, but maybe they have. Meagan, Mady, and Lance fell. Lorin Ball did, too. Did someone else? I really feel like it. Stillings? I was trying to look back and didn't see anything. It feels like Stillings is who I am thinking of.
But I have (I have) to comment on RJ Roman. They didn't show him?!? Wow. As a Power Tower winner, I would have thought for sure. Also, he finished? I KNEW someone would finish who they would skip. I KNEW IT. What did I tell you. They will skip at least 1 person who finishes. That is so stupid! I hate that. I'm not the biggest fan of RJ Roman, honestly, but the guy finished. He deserves to be shown. What he did is LITERALLY what this show is all about. We come to see people who hit buzzers. We want to see those people, not waste time with bios. If they finish, I don't feel too annoyed or some stories, eh, I'm all over the place. It's just so dang aggravating when someone finishes and we could definitely see their run in its entirety, but we don't get to see them. I don't care who they are, if they finish, let us see them! Man.
Okay this guy. I don't remember the spelling of his name. Dougie? Devin did Burnt Rubber really well! That was very smooth. A lot of people who have been passing it have been really chunky on it. He was probably the smoothest we've seen on that one. Hey, if he can advance, that's great for him, but he'll get crushed by the others if this is hit first time. Then again, the Finals this year are going to be weird, and if the Power Tower is involved, they're not going to be great. So really, it's anyone's game for Finals. At least right now when we don't know the specifics. Dang, now is not the time to be fancy. Yes, he made it, but you do not get fancy during the real thing. Someone has done that before, and it ruined them, plus it was super embarrassing. I don't really think he'll move on, but that's based on last week. This week, it definitely feels like more people are dropping early, so some people at the bottom of the list may have only reached the Corkscrew. He was moving quickly, so I guess it's very possible that's he's finally moving on.
Alright, so there was a slightly weird transition within that paragraph, but stream of consciousness, right? Not the worst thing. I am literally typing as I am watching. I am just typing what I am thinking. I'm a pretty fast typer, so it's working pretty well, I'd say. Now, I don't usually read over what I've written, even though I should. This could be so all over the place and crazy that no one can follow it, but this is what I am going with this week, otherwise I probably won't have time to write. I always have thoughts I want to share, so this is just something new. Maybe I'll do it for the Finals, maybe not.
Okay, so I also missed Ben Melick because I was fuming about RJ Roman. I just have to say that I totally called it. RJ Roman was on my list, but I don't think I put him as a finisher. I really should have, actually. If you had told me before I saw it, I'd believe you. Anyway, Ben Melick was saved, so I am not surprised that he fell early. I don't like the Power Tower's prize this year, and honestly, everyone who was saved has pretty much proven why it was a complete waste. I think Will from Joe's team has done the best on his second chance. Actually, I guess the other guy go tot the same place, so Joe's guys have done the best on their redemption run, but we'll have to wait to see if they actually did enough.
Austin Gray. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! SERIOUSLY, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?! He finished. Lucas Reale!!! ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME. ARE YOU FOR REAL KIDDING ME. THEY SKIPPED AUSTIN AND LUCAS AND THEY HIT THE BUZZER!!! NO, THAT IS NOT FAIR. THAT IS NOT COOL. I AM SO MAD THAT THEY SKIPPED THESE GUYS. I had Reale on my list because he did phenomenal last year. Austin Gray was a thought, but I wasn't sure. That's great, I think Austin has potential. I'm just so pissed that they skipped 3 finishers! That's so annoying!
Alright, let's just focus on Jessie. We know she makes it to Corkscrew, so I wasn't completely paying attention so that I could write about Reale and Gray. Even though I know she's find, the balance obstacle is still so tense. Meagan and Mady just fell. My heart just flutters a little whenever a big name reaches it. Jessie really is great. She rarely disappoints. I don't know what will happen. The preview looked like she was on the second Corkscrew, so I think she'll pass it. She may have not hit a Finals buzzer, but I still think she has done the best on an extended course. She made it to the 10th obstacle, and half way up it, when it was the Invisible Ladder. That was the hardest, most brutal 10th obstacle they've ever had, and she almost made it. I think that says a lot, even in light of Michelle and Jesse hitting the buzzer last year. Okay, now is the moment of truth...she...didn't make it. Wow, so she must have been on the second spin in the preview. I am a little surprised, honestly. She might not have made The Dungeon, but I was actually thinking she would pass the Corkscrew.
But, Joe is next and, more importantly, Joe is last. Although, Jody Avila was last last week and he failed, so... I really think Joe will be fine. Surely he won't fail on the front half if he is running last? If he doesn't finish, that's one thing, but if he doesn't hit the back half that a completely different thing. If I was writing this normally (i.e. tomorrow or a few days later) I would have been mentioning Joe as much as I was talking about Jake last time (which felt like a lot). I just love Joe so much on this show. What is also great is that we know a little more about him outside of his ANW career. He doesn't always get in-depth bios; he isn't really that type of guy, but from what I know from social media, I still love the guy. He for sure is someone I could get along with in real life.
Anthony Mackie on the Jimmy Fallon show! That is totally unrelated, but I saw a commercial for it. Anthony Mackie seems like such a fun guy, oh my gosh. Him and Sebastian Stan! Man, I'm excited for the Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
Okay, Joe time. It is really interesting that Joe is such a family man, yet he stays in such incredible shape. I think that's a true testament to how natural he is on ANW. Honestly, he is so gifted on this show that I can believe that he gained 15 pounds and is still dominating. What I wonder is if he isn't a weatherman anymore? He was especially interesting in the beginning because he was a true regular man. He didn't have a gym job like many others. He had a family. Yet, he showed up a dominated every season. Dad bod? Doubt that. He is still so good! On Burnt Rubber? So easy! I'm so nervous because I don't remember if I saw him on Corkscrew. Okay, past Slingshot. They're really hammering in this extra weight thing. Joe also doesn't have bulky muscles. It was kind of like Drew (I know, I'm sore to mention his name), but he is still crazy on the course. He's doing Corkscrew perfectly! Perfect. For the lighter people, it actually seems that they move faster. Maybe for taller people, too? Some people genuinely seem to spin faster on Corkscrew. Joe didn't seem to spin around as fast as some others. Yes! Joe is running so great! Time? I don't know. If he makes it, it's going to be within a second or two. Yeah, 1 second. Honestly, that's fantastic, of course. But, I wouldn't have been mad at Reale walking away with it. Seriously, Joe was somehow made for this! How? How does he beat Reale? Someone younger than him, no family? I mean, what?!?
Also, it was not Thomas Stillings who I was thinking of. He is advancing. Okay, so it looks like there is still a course for the Finals, which is good. I think they said that it was the Top 8 or 6 people who would be facing off on the Power Tower. Still think that's stupid. But, I am interested in how they are handling the course. If it's just a longer, newer one? Or if it's still 10 obstacles, and just new ones? 25-ish people. It's over 2 nights, I thought, so is the second night the Power Tower? Like a Power Tower tournament? I don't know. Anyway, show's over. I gotta go. I think I got everything said, honestly. The course didn't have too many differences, so there wasn't too much new to say. I don't know what happened to Ethan? I am going to do some snooping, though. It wasn't just like a Jon Alexis Jr. thing. Ethan was on the screen, not on the sidelines? I don't know. If I figure it out, I'll mention something next week. But for now, this week of ANW has come and gone. Excited for what's in store. Until then, stay safe everyone!
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