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As American Ninja Warrior charges ahead to the National Finals, we’re leaving behind the six qualifying regions. That means we’re done with one of season 11’s new, and most discussed, elements: The Power Tower.
In each of the six Qualifying rounds, the two fastest finishers raced on the tower for the Speed Pass. It assured them a place at the National Finals, regardless of their performance in the City Finals. In fact, they could have skipped that course all together if they’d wanted.
In the City Finals round, the two fastest finishers, or the two who went the farthest the fastest in the case of no finishers, raced for the Safety Pass. The Safety Pass allows for a do-over in case of a fall (or timing out) on Stage One or Two of the National Finals. (It’s no help on Stage Three.)
The goal of the Power Tower was definitely to up the ante on the season’s early courses. Ninjas were suddenly incentivized to take more risks and move quickly through the obstacles. New strategies were developed and implemented with varying levels of success. We’ll see if and how the Safety Passes come into play starting on August 26, when the National Finals begin to air.
You can find a full list of the Power Tower match ups and winners here.
But the new addition wasn’t completely without debate within the fanbase. Frequently, we read comments regarding what the use of a Safety Pass at the National Finals would really mean to the Ninjas and the viewers. Also, that there was no equivalent opportunity for just the female competitors. (They absolutely could have gone to the Power Tower if they had a top time, but we didn’t see it happen this season.)
Both those points could be discussed for hours and debated in either direction. It’s not a simple subject. We do want your overall thoughts now that we’ve seen all 12 of the Power Tower races this season. Did you like it? Do you want to see it back for season 12? Tell us your reasons in the comments.
Poll
Did you like the Power Tower and do you want to see it return next season?
To help refresh your memory, we’ve pulled together Tweets and videos regarding all the match ups.
Cincinnati City Finals: Ethan Swanson vs Michael Torres
This might be the closest Power Tower yet! pic.twitter.com/bDlF8EBHh3
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) August 20, 2019
Winner: Michael Torres
Baltimore City Finals: Dave Cavanagh vs Lucas Reale
It all comes down to @Lreale11 and @Sour_Neon_Worms.
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) August 13, 2019
Who will win the safety pass? pic.twitter.com/8afDkjpEcb
Winner: Dave Cavanagh
Seattle/Tacoma City Finals: Dan Yager vs Karson Voiles
Karson just OWNED that Power Tower. pic.twitter.com/cpK0tMNcT3
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) August 6, 2019
Winner: Karson Voiles
Oklahoma City Finals: Daniel Gil vs Mathis “The Kid” Owhadi
It’s King vs. Kid in the ULTIMATE Power Tower match-up. pic.twitter.com/pLaXM5nxe5
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) July 30, 2019
Winner: Mathis Owhadi
Atlanta City Finals: Drew Drechsel vs Kevin Carbone
Winner: Drew Drechsel
Los Angeles City Finals: Flip Rodriguez vs Brian Kretsch
That power tower was no joke!
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) July 16, 2019
Thanks for watching! See you next Monday. pic.twitter.com/kiJA97R0rA
Winner: Flip Rodriguez
Cincinnati Qualifiers: Ethan Swanson vs Jackson Twait
A cat versus a swan? It can only be @JakcsonTwiat and @EthanSwanson running the power tower. pic.twitter.com/naTxkmyPZX
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) July 9, 2019
Winner: Ethan Swanson
Baltimore Qualifiers: Dave Cavanagh vs Conor Galvin
It all comes down to this. Will @Sour_Neon_Worms or @ConorGalvin3 win the speed pass? pic.twitter.com/JcqUoHBMBg
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) July 2, 2019
Winner: Dave Cavanagh
Seattle/Tacoma Qualifiers: Leif Sundberg vs Sean Bryan
And that’s how it’s done in Seattle-Tacoma!
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) June 25, 2019
We’ll see you next week for an all-new #AmericanNinjaWarrior. pic.twitter.com/Kpf2GTO0yT
Winner: Sean Bryan
Oklahoma City Qualifiers: Daniel Gil vs Matthew Day
Thanks for watching another EPIC night of #AmericanNinjaWarrior. We’ll see you next Monday! pic.twitter.com/iSz3PgW9d5
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) June 18, 2019
Winner: Daniel Gil
Atlanta Qualifiers: Tyler Gillett vs Drew Drechsel
Looks like we’ll be seeing @RealLifeNinja_ at National Finals! pic.twitter.com/5p1rjP2VM1
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) June 6, 2019
Winner: Drew Drechsel
Los Angeles Qualifiers: Hunter Guerard vs David Campbell
This is the type of run you get when two of the fastest ninjas go head-to-head on the Power Tower. pic.twitter.com/mAZZC79IjZ
— Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) May 30, 2019
Winner: Hunter Guerard