‘Wheel of Fortune’ Player Turns Heads After Solving Tough $126,000 Puzzle
Cory Earp, a sixth-grade language arts teacher from Taylorsville, North Carolina, became the first $100,000 winner of Wheel of Fortune’s 43rd season, dazzling audiences with his quick thinking and puzzle-solving skills. The episode aired Friday night, September 19, marking a milestone for the long-running game show. Known at school for wearing a tropical shirt every Tuesday, Earp traded the classroom for the bright lights of television and impressed viewers with his sharp performance.
Earp faced off against fellow educators Alesha Davis from Chicago, Illinois, and BB Fisher from Tempe, Arizona. The competition was fierce, but Earp’s swift guesses and strategic play helped him stay ahead. He dominated the early Toss Ups, securing a $3,000 lead, and although he briefly hit a Bankrupt space during the first puzzle, he rebounded quickly, solving “Gorgeous Gown and Golden Crown” for an additional $4,150.
Momentum later shifted when Davis excelled in the Mystery Round, correctly solving “Wandering Eye of the Tiger” and earning a year’s supply of school supplies along with a trip to Mexico. She followed with the Prize Puzzle, “Cobblestone Streets,” which secured her a vacation to France, putting her in the lead with $25,682.
Despite Davis’s strong performance, Earp wasn’t finished. He swept all three Triple Toss Ups, adding $10,000 to his total and positioning himself for a comeback. By the end of regular play, he had accumulated $26,450, enough to advance to the Bonus Round.