‘Wheel of Fortune’ Player Misses Out On Car After Failing To Solve This Difficult Puzzle…

Monday night’s *Wheel of Fortune* episode delivered a level of tension that went far beyond prizes. Pittsburgh carpenter Michael Soltis entered the game as a soft-spoken, good-natured contestant, but no one expected his appearance to become one of the season’s most memorable. Early on, Texas teacher Eimi Smith dominated the board, sweeping the first toss-ups and racing past $10,000 while Michael struggled to find his footing. LaShauan Swift, a retired firefighter, kept pace but couldn’t match her speed.

Everything shifted during the Prize Puzzle. The category, Song Lyrics, unfolded just enough for Michael to recognize the phrase. With calm assurance, he solved: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” The correct answer earned him a trip to Africa, a Wild Card, and a surge of confidence. Suddenly, the contestant who began in the shadows moved into the lead. He won two of the triple toss-ups and, with sharp timing, solved the final Movie Title puzzle — “The Wild Wild West” — before the clock even started. By the time he reached the Bonus Round, he had $20,240 and the audience fully behind him.

Then came the moment that broke hearts across the country. Faced with the category “Thing,” Michael chose his letters, but the board barely budged. Ten seconds ticked by as he searched for the answer. When time expired, the solution appeared: “Dog Leash.” Michael laughed in disbelief, confessing, “I have a dog — you’d think I’d remember his leash!”

Viewers instantly related. Social media exploded with sympathy, humor, and calls to give him the Jeep Wrangler he narrowly missed. Yet what resonated most was Michael’s grace. He left the stage smiling, grateful for the experience and the winnings he did take home. In the end, his humility — not the lost car — became the highlight of an episode fans won’t soon forget.