Viewers of Wheel of Fortune were left frustrated Monday night after a tense Bonus Round mistake cost contestant Michael Soltis a brand-new Jeep Wrangler. The episode quickly gained traction online, with fans calling the final puzzle confusing and unforgiving. Soltis, a union carpenter from Pittsburgh, found himself under intense pressure — so much so that he even stumbled when asked to describe the breed of his own dog during pre-round banter with host Ryan Seacrest.

The game began slowly for Soltis as Austin contestant Eimi Smith dominated the early rounds. She swept both toss-ups and solved the first main puzzle, “Accidentally on Purpose,” before adding “Sleeping Bag of Tricks” to build a strong lead. Momentum shifted during the Prize Puzzle when Soltis correctly solved “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” earning a Wild Card, a trip to Africa, and the lead. He stayed sharp through the triple toss-ups and closed the main game by solving “The Wild Wild West” with minimal letters revealed.

Heading into the Bonus Round with $20,240, Soltis appeared confident but visibly nervous. In the “Places” category, the puzzle filled in as “_Y OLD _ _ _NTS” after standard letters and his Wild Card picks. As the clock ticked down, Soltis guessed “My Old Plants,” “My Old Points,” and other variations — none correct. When time expired, Seacrest revealed the answer: “My Old Haunts,” a phrase that would have secured Soltis the Jeep.

Social media lit up immediately. Many viewers admitted they couldn’t see the solution either, calling the puzzle unfair and overly obscure. Comments ranged from “That one was brutal” to “I never would’ve guessed it.” While Soltis walked away a big winner, fans agreed the missed Jeep made for one of the season’s most agonizing Bonus Round moments.