That phrase was “Words of Wisdom Tooth,” and once Steve Knapp, a soft-spoken teacher from Hampshire, pieced it together, his night turned around—setting the stage for the dramatic finale to come.
A Rocky Start Turns Around
For most of the episode, Knapp struggled. The puzzles weren’t landing and the wheel wasn’t cooperating.
His momentum continued when he landed an $11,500 trip to Punta Cana, padding his total before he even reached the final round.
The Bonus Round Gamble
In the bonus round, Knapp calmly pieced together the phrase “Giving an autograph.” The correct solve unlocked a Nissan Z Sport worth $45,400, pushing his overall payday to $65,800.
Fans Weigh In Online
Not everyone agreed he’d earned it. Some argued his delivery was too slurred to count as a real answer, while others felt the meaning was perfectly clear despite the mumble.
The Official Ruling
Wheel of Fortune settled the debate with an official ruling: Knapp’s answer was valid, and his win stands. The soft-spoken teacher from Hampshire walked away with his $65,800 in winnings intact, mumble and all.