Multiple 'Wheel of Fortune' Contestants Miss Large Bonuses Amid Fan Criticism of Bonus Round Difficulties

Several recent episodes of "Wheel of Fortune" have showcased contestants who performed impressively during the main game but ultimately failed to solve challenging puzzles in the Bonus Round, leading to significant fan frustration. Anastasia Armitage was praised for her strong puzzle-solving skills throughout the game and won $38,324 in cash and prizes, including trips to Salem and London, but missed out on an additional $45,000 by failing to solve the final puzzle "vocal opponents." Similarly, Jason Warren overcame early setbacks to win $31,470 but was stumped by the Bonus Round phrase "Young And Foolish," missing out on $55,000, which sparked social media outrage over the puzzle's difficulty. Michael Soltis led his game with $20,240 and secured a trip to Africa but missed winning a Jeep after failing to solve a difficult "Places" puzzle in the final round. In contrast, Megan Zandrowicz managed to win $65,000 after a tense Bonus Round where she initially struggled but ultimately solved a tricky three-word puzzle in the "What Are You Doing?" category. These episodes highlight the intense pressure of the Bonus Round and how even skilled contestants can falter on particularly difficult puzzles, eliciting strong reactions from viewers.