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This article was published prior to Drew Drechsel’s arrest. NBC and American Ninja Warrior have since cut ties with him.
What American Ninja Warrior fan doesn’t love the All Stars skills competition? It’s just about going big. Really, REALLY big. After this year’s All Stars team competition, we dove into six challenges designed to let the Ninjas literally fly. This year, we were also teased with the re-match of re-matches. American Ninja Warrior Champion Isaac Caldiero, and the only Ninja to hit six buzzers in a season, Geoff Britten, would meet again!
You can find the results of the team competition here.
Below, we’re reviewing the over-the-top challenges and jaw-dropping results of the skills competition.
The @anwnation All-Stars special always delivers superb moments ! All of the ninjas’ amazing talents serve as inspiration for all #AmericanNinjaWarrior fans!
— Jacob Elyachar (@JacobElyachar) May 27, 2019
Mega Spider Climb
Ninjas raced side-by-side up the 80-foot tower of Stage Four, using the bracing “spider climb” technique. That’s not terrifying or anything. This challenge was won last season by Jessie Graff.
Round one:
- Lance Pekus vs Chris Wilczewski
Winner: Chris Wilczewski - Neil Craver vs R.J. Roman
Winner: Neil Craver
Big wins and new records. These ninjas really have what it takes! #AmericanNinjaWarrior pic.twitter.com/D4l9LAFsRn
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
Round two:
- Chris Wilczewski vs Neil Craver
Champion: Chris Wilczewski
In a finish that was so close, producers needed to review the footage, Chris won by four 100’s of a second.
Wicked Wingnuts
The space between the Wingnuts was increased until only one competitor could land the transfer. Last year, Drew Drechsel won this challenge at 20 feet. He sat it out this season.
14 feet:
- Kevin Bull: Safe
- Adam Rayl: Safe
- Ethan Swanson: Safe
- Josh Salinas: OUT!
- Najee Richardson: Safe
This just proved that @kevin_the_bull grabs life by the horns. pic.twitter.com/d1mrlCjhTc
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
16 feet:
- Kevin Bull: Safe
- Adam Rayl: Safe
- Ethan Swanson: Safe
- Najee Richardson: Safe
17 feet:
- Kevin Bull: OUT!
- Adam Rayl: Safe
- Ethan Swanson: Safe
- Najee Richardson: Safe
18 feet (Anyone else starting to sweat?):
- Adam Rayl: Safe
- Ethan Swanson: OUT!
- Najee Richardson: Safe
Have you ever seen a man fly?@RealAdamRayl proves it’s possible. #AmericanNinjaWarrior pic.twitter.com/ZFE5rNWPCG
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
19 feet:
- Adam Rayl: Safe
- Najee Richardson: OUT!
Champion: Adam Rayl, who then dragged his poor mother into the water with him.
#AmericanNinjaWarrior is a family affair. pic.twitter.com/cVwlEIu0sc
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
Duel Doorknob Drop
The Doorknob Drop from the season 10 Los Angeles course returned. Here, the Ninjas raced up a double set of drops to a buzzer. The much-anticipated Geoff Britten and Isaac Caldiero face-off took place during this challenge.
Round one
- Daniel Gil vs Josh Levin
Winner: Josh Levin by a hair! - Geoff Britten vs Isaac Caldiero
Winner: Geoff Britten
After the competition, Geoff shared that he was feeling some pain in his forearm, and would not take part in the next round. The next fastest time belonged to Daniel Gil, who moved into the next competition.
Round two
- Josh Levin vs Daniel Gil
Champion: Josh Levin
This race by @KingdomNinja_ and @JoshLevin1 couldn’t be any closer! #AmericanNinjaWarrior pic.twitter.com/noMTKLDj9s
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
Striding Steps
For this year’s competition, the Ninjas raced side-by-side, down and back on a series of tiny platforms. Last season, Jake Murray won this challenge.
Round one
- Nicholas Coolidge vs Tyler Gillett:
Winner: Nicholas Coolidge - Joe Moravsky vs Drew Knapp
Winner: Joe Moravsky - Jake Murray vs Allyssa Beird
Winner: Jake Murray (who flat-out took a seat after Allyssa fell in the water!) - Thomas Stillings vs Flip Rodriguez
Winner: Thomas Stillings
Round two
- Nicholas Coolidge vs Joe Moravsky:
Winner: Joe Moravsky (who skipped the rope to go for the lead) - Jake Murray vs Thomas Stillings
Winner: Thomas Stillings
What’s that?
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
A new record?
It could only be @JoeMoravsky! #AmericanNinjaWarrior pic.twitter.com/nnm19ibtmj
Round three
- Joe Moravsky vs Thomas Stillings
Champion: Joe Moravsky
After another photo finish, it was determined Joe won by five 100’s of a second. Both he and Thomas leapt into the water for a much needed cool down.
This neck and neck finish proves @JoeMoravsky and @TheModernTarzan are total ninjas! pic.twitter.com/mO1vvzXqka
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
Super Salmon Ladder
This challenge is becoming a classic of the skills competition. At 35 rungs, it’s about seven Salmon Ladders in a row. Sean Bryan won this last year and he had his eye on the prize once again.
2️⃣8️⃣ might be @BarclayStockett’s new lucky number. pic.twitter.com/0EbGvnY7C0
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
Results:
- Austin Gray: 16 rungs
- Dan Polizzi: 16 rungs
- Barclay Stockett: 28 rungs! (This put her in the lead for the time being AND set a new record for women.)
- Sean Bryan: 35 rungs
Champion: Sean Bryan
Using massive leaps to skip rungs, Sean set a new time record at 17.4 seconds and defended his Super Salmon Ladder title.
Big Dipper Freestyle
Oh, THIS was a lot of fun to watch. The crew sliced the tricky Double Dipper in half, leaving Ninjas with one heck of a launching slide into the pool below. This was pure, freestyle fun. Matt, Akbar, and Kristine were on hand as the judges. But with no rules, and wild Ninjas, things were completely subjective and screamingly funny.
Round one
- Ethan Swanson: Known as a daredevil, he set the bar pretty high with two twists and flips.
Score: 26 - Flip Rodriguez: Come on, Flip is his NAME, after all. But when he tried for a tuck, he ended up with a watery bodyslam.
Score: 17 - Brent Steffensen: He came in fast and low when his hands slipped off the bar early but he still squeezed in a back flip.
Score: 18 - Sean Bryan: Did anyone else start panicking when Sean put his legs OVER the bar? He went upside down and landed three full rotations!
Score: 29
That dive by @PapalNinja deserves s across the board. pic.twitter.com/Ll4TxEq3BG
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
- Grant McCartney: He planned for a dive and ended up with a loud bellyflop when he over rotated.
Score: 23 - Drew Drechsel: Drew skipped the bar and went for a straight-forward dive.
Score: 21.5
Round two
- Flip Rodriguez: He nailed a double backflip in a much better performance.
Score: 24 - Brent Steffensen: He also improved on his previous score with a full-twisted double layout. Score: 27
- Grant McCartney: Careful here, kiddos. Grant ripped down his shorts to show an itsy-bitsy pineapple-dotted speedo. He yelled that he was going for three flips and a belly flop, and he delivered.
Score: 28
Looks like @islandninja came prepared to dive. pic.twitter.com/xAk11e4eZx
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
- Ethan Swanson: He opted for a double back flip that looked a little loose.
Score: 21 - Drew Drechsel: This was double trouble! Drew called up Flip to join him. With both on the bar at once, they both managed to pull off stunts. One flip for Flip and two for Drew.
Score: 30
Legendary ninja, @RealLifeNinja_ plays by his own rules.
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 24, 2019
The kickoff to summer starts with the #NinjaWarrior All-Stars Special this Sunday at 7/6c on @nbc! pic.twitter.com/MrOHU6tDna
Sean Bryan: After a Grant imitation, Sean revealed an Ethan Swanson shirt and climbed the truss (which honestly had us screaming, “NO!”). Stepping back down, he stripped to a Jake Murray shirt. Sean then hit Jake’s signature peace-sign post in mid-air as he headed down to the water.
Score: 30!
Drew and Sean were tied, which meant it was time for a dive off!
Round three
- Drew Drechsel: He called out that he was going for arms crossed, 180 turn, and a point, wink, and a splash for the judges. Yup. He pulled it off.
Score: 27 - Sean Bryan: Sporting some glaring welts from his previous efforts, Sean grabbed the bar backwards. Going in blind, he still landed two front flips and a twist. As well as his second win of the night.
Score: 30
Champion: Sean Bryan
This is the only way @PapalNinja should celebrate after winning. pic.twitter.com/YEGUOR9idI
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 27, 2019
You can find the results of the All Stars team challenge here. And remember, season 11 of American Ninja Warrior premieres Wednesday, May 29 at 8/7c on NBC!