Wheel of Fortune Faces Multiple Contestant $40K-$100K Losses Over Controversial Puzzles

Several recent episodes of 'Wheel of Fortune' have sparked significant viewer frustration due to difficult or outdated bonus round puzzles that have cost contestants large cash prizes. Amy Johnston missed out on a $40,000 win after failing to solve the puzzle 'Faxing it over now,' which many fans criticized as an obsolete phrase, making it nearly impossible to guess. Similarly, Shanquetta Cato lost a $100,000 prize on a seemingly solvable puzzle but was stumped during the final moments, drawing disappointment from viewers. Another episode featured best friends Toya Johnson-Moore and Dionna Houston losing $40,000 on the challenging phrase 'It Works Without Fail.' Additionally, Kristyn Hobbs missed out on a $100,000 jackpot on the puzzle 'Rummaging in the Backyard,' which fans also deemed unfair and nearly impossible. Across these instances, audience backlash highlights concerns about puzzle fairness, with many expressing that some puzzles are either too obscure or outdated for modern contestants to solve reliably.