Wheel of Fortune Contestant Misses Mercedes-Benz by One Word
A recent episode of Wheel of Fortune left fans groaning as contestant Wanda Ruff came heartbreakingly close to driving home in a brand-new Mercedes-Benz.
The May 16 episode, re-aired on August 29 during Bragging Rights Week, saw Ruff compete against Joyce Underwood and Terri Houston. Ruff secured the night’s victory with $21,398 in cash and a dream trip to Portugal, while her opponents walked away with $7,700 and $2,000.
In the Bonus Round, Ruff faced the puzzle in the “Thing” category:
“A ATCH _ _ TH_C _ _ _”
With seconds ticking away, she guessed, “A patch of thick… a match of thick…”—but couldn’t land the final word. The correct answer? “A PATCH OF THICK FOG.”
When host Ryan Seacrest revealed the missed prize—a Mercedes-Benz—the audience gasped as Ruff groaned in disbelief.
Fans flooded social media afterward. Some praised Ruff’s personality, while others criticized the vague puzzle. One summed it up: “Never pick ‘Thing’—it could be anything!”
