A Wheel of Fortune contestant left viewers groaning after coming painfully close to winning a brand-new Mercedes-Benz during the Bonus Round. Despite the heartbreaking loss, she still walked away with a hefty cash prize and an unforgettable vacation.
The episode, which originally aired on May 16 but re-aired on August 29, wrapped up the game show’s special Bragging Rights Week—a twist where friends compete against each other instead of strangers.
Show hostess Vanna White in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
The Big Winner of the Night
Chicago’s Wanda Ruff faced off against Joyce Underwood of Broadview and Terri Houston from North Riverside in a heated matchup. In the end, Ruff claimed victory with $21,398 in cash plus a dream trip to Portugal. Houston walked away with $7,700, while Underwood rounded out the night with $2,000.
With the top spot secured, Ruff advanced to the highly anticipated Bonus Round, where the category was “Thing.”
Show host Ryan Seacrest and contestant Wanda Ruff in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
The Puzzle That Cost a Car
After the standard letters R, S, T, L, N, E were revealed, Ruff selected H, C, D, and A as her additional picks. The board then displayed:
“A ATCH _ _ TH_C _ _ _.”
As the 10-second clock started ticking, Ruff gave it her all.
“A patch of thick…” she began, struggling to find the last word.
Show hostess Vanna White in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
“A match of thick… a watch of thick…” she continued, but time ran out.
The correct answer? “A PATCH OF THICK FOG.”
Host Ryan Seacrest revealed what was inside the prize envelope—a brand-new Mercedes-Benz. Ruff let out a loud groan, threw her hands up in disbelief, and shook them toward the ceiling as the audience reacted with a collective gasp.
Seacrest offered words of encouragement, reminding her that she was still going home with over $21,000 in winnings and a luxury vacation.
“You shouldn’t be disappointed,” he told her with a smile.
Fans Sound Off Online
After the episode, viewers hurried to social media to share their thoughts.
Show host Ryan Seacrest and contestant Wanda Ruff in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
“BEST CONTESTANTS EVER!! They were so fun & their laughs were contagious lol,” one fan commented on YouTube, adding that Ruff should be considered if the show brings back fan favorites.
Others debated the puzzle itself:
“These puzzles are becoming unclear and hard to solve!” one viewer complained.
Another warned future players: “Never pick ‘Thing’ as a category. It’s way too vague—it could be anything!”
One fan summed it up best:
“I wouldn’t have gotten that at all. That feels more like a phrase than a thing.”
