‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Misses Out On Car After Failing To Solve This Simple Puzzle

“Wheel of Fortune” can make dreams come true—or leave viewers shouting at their TVs. Fans were reminded of that emotional rollercoaster this week when a lively contestant, Rodney Flippen, walked away with thousands in prize money but missed out on a brand-new car in the final round.

Flippen, who kept audiences laughing throughout the night, ultimately left the show with $27,150—far above his personal goal of $7,000. While he took the loss with good humor, viewers were quick to voice their heartbreak online, saying they wished the upbeat contestant had snagged the keys to a shiny Ford Bronco.

A Rough Start, Then a Comeback

The night didn’t begin in Flippen’s favor. His opponent, Skolnik, snatched up the first Toss Up puzzle and took an early lead. But Flippen didn’t stay down for long. He fought back in the next rounds, narrowing the gap and eventually surging ahead during the Triple Toss Up. By then, he had established himself as the frontrunner, securing a comfortable $27,150.

The stage was set for the Bonus Round, and fans were ready to see if Flippen could cap off the night with a major win.

A Tricky Puzzle

Choosing the category “What Are You Doing?,” Flippen united with host Ryan Seacrest at the iconic wheel. Asked about his goals, he shared a humble reason for being there: “I wanted to win at least $7,000 to pay my bills. But I’ve won much more, so this is exciting.” He added that just being on set with Seacrest, Vanna White, and the crew made the experience unforgettable.

After spinning the wheel and pulling his Golden Envelope, Flippen faced a tough three-word puzzle. With only the standard “R, S, T, L, N, E” revealed, he added “K, M, B, and O” as his picks. Unfortunately, those letters didn’t open many doors, leaving him staring at “_ _ _ T_N M_ _ _ONE.”

The ten-second clock ticked down as he gave it everything he had, shouting out guesses like “Waiting My Phone” and “Watching My Phone.” But none of his answers fit. The solution, revealed moments later, was “Updating My Phone.”

Then came the gut punch: Seacrest opened the envelope to show Flippen had missed out on a brand-new Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend.

Fans Rally Behind Him

Though the outcome stung, Flippen’s energy and humor made him a fan favorite. Messages of encouragement flooded social media within moments. One viewer wrote, “Despite not winning the bonus round, he still crushed it. Rodney deserves another shot at ‘Wheel of Fortune’ like other fan-favorite contestants have had.”

Flippen himself walked away smiling, grateful for the experience and the cash prize that exceeded his expectations. But for fans watching at home, the sight of him losing out on that Bronco was a tough pill to swallow.