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The June 11th premiere of the LA City Finals was, in a word, intense. Jessie Graff was the first competitor to defeat the Wedge. Flip Rodriguez made a brave confession. And Twitter captured our emotions on all their glory.
Flip Rodriguez’s powerful story moved so many and inspired others to come forward.
@YoungFlip7 thank you. I just came out to my mother about my sexual abuse. #AmericanNinjaWarrior #NotMyFault #thankyou
— Shehawah (@Shehawah1) July 12, 2016
@YoungFlip7 I broke my silence because of you. No longer will I wear a mask of shame. Thank for your courage. #nomoreshame
— Matthew (@unclebubbha) July 12, 2016
@YoungFlip7 I am a survivor. I was raped at 14. To hear you share your story with such grace and dignity. Wow #AmericanNinjaWarrior
— Mud Run Guide (@MudRunGuide) July 12, 2016
@YoungFlip7 your story will inspire many young people to speak out. Thank you for your courage. I am a survivor too, you are not alone
— April M. Cardinal (@tigress_momma) July 12, 2016
@YoungFlip7 Thank you! U've def helped not only those going thru it but those who went thru it, like me, 40 yrs ago & r still healing. TY ❤️
— Bonnie Phillips (@NurseBonnieOC) July 12, 2016
@YoungFlip7 thank you thank you thank you for being a voice for myself and male victims especially. #nomoremask
— audi is on vacay (@iubitaseb) July 12, 2016
So often on #AmericanNinjaWarrior we highlight physical strength, but tonightI'm highlighting @YoungFlip7 bravery off the course. #Hero
— Akbar Gbajabiamila (@Akbar_Gbaja) July 12, 2016
When Jessie Graff hypnotized the next generation of Wonder Women.
My girl is loving watching @JESSIEgraffPWR #AmericanNinjaWarrior pic.twitter.com/Vi9DBnChsI
— Ali Carnes (@alibcarnes) July 12, 2016
Apparently we weren’t alone in this reaction.
Yelling like a fool when @JESSIEgraffPWR became the first person to beat the wedge on #AmericanNinjaWarrior!
— (((Lauren Lutz))) (@LaurenWLutz) July 12, 2016
For a moment, Jessie took over the world and we had no chill about it.
And then there was that time @JESSIEgraffPWR was Trending #1 on Facebook @anwnation on pic.twitter.com/CRcd0RByMc
— Maggi Thorne (@Nvr_GvUp) July 12, 2016
The Ninja community brought the love.
Summoning our inner @JESSIEgraffPWR superhero! #wonderwoman #ANW pic.twitter.com/vuLcGAmIoD
— Rose Wetzel (@rosewetzel) July 12, 2016
We all needed to collect ourselves after the episode.
#AmericanNinjaWarrior @Akbar_Gbaja @YoungFlip7 pic.twitter.com/eBS869XwLJ
— Rachel Fabbi (@rachel_fabbi) July 12, 2016
Of course, Pokemon.
@JESSIEgraffPWR @ninjawarrior my #pokemon stoked you passed the wedge #PokemonGO #AmericanNinjaWarrior #JessieGraff pic.twitter.com/VdAyhlravC
— Joey B (@jbus13) July 12, 2016
We were moved to poetry.
Don't miss out on rising star @NickityNatNat's run tonight! #AmericanNinjaWarrior #TeamNinjaWarrior @anwnation pic.twitter.com/4uDKvm2qBG
— Ninja Pants (@planet_ape) July 11, 2016
Natalie Duran exposed the glamorous life of social media producers.
Behind the scenes with @nbcninjawarrior & @anwnation!
— Ninja Natalie (@NickityNatNat) July 12, 2016
& me hanging from something pic.twitter.com/qBWAuktpG8
Even celebrities can’t fight that loving feeling.
I just can't get enough of @ninjawarrior #AmericanNinjaWarrior My Favorite! @Akbar_Gbaja @mattiseman @veniceweed @JESSIEgraffPWR @nbc ❤️
— Kristy Swanson (@KristySwansonXO) July 12, 2016
Only time will tell what craziness will erupt from the Atlanta City Finals...