A recent Wheel of Fortune episode ended in a major win — and an even bigger online debate.
Steve Knapp, a driver’s education teacher from Hampshire, Illinois, competed against two contestants on the January 20 episode. What made his appearance stand out was the irony: he teaches people how to drive for a living… and ended the night winning a brand-new car.
The game started with strong momentum from competitor Sharisse Cohee, but everything changed after a chaotic round where all three contestants hit Bankrupt. Knapp recovered quickly, solving key puzzles and taking control of the game.
By the end of the main round, the scores were:
Steve Knapp — $20,400
Sharisse Cohee — $9,350
Stacy Robinson — $4,000
In the Bonus Round, Knapp faced the puzzle:
“IVING AN A_TOGRA”
With seconds left, he confidently answered: “Giving an autograph.”
He was correct — and won a brand-new Nissan, bringing his total winnings to $65,800.
But moments after the episode aired, social media erupted.
Some viewers insisted they heard him say “getting an autograph” instead of “giving,” sparking a heated debate about whether the win was legitimate.
Clips were replayed, slowed down, and analyzed frame by frame.
One side defends the official ruling.
The other insists the audio sounds different.
And now, what should have been a simple victory remains one of the most debated Wheel of Fortune moments online.