They've added an interesting wrinkle to the first city courses this season. There is now a mega-warped wall at 18 feet. $10,000 if you beat it at the end of the course. I won't spoil it but one ninja star beat the challenge last night. I don't expect more than a handful of people getting the $10,000 bonus this season.

Nice. When they do the all-star challenge, the wall ends up being real tall before no one can top it.

Does the money go to the competitor or a charity? I ask cause most anyone who will beat it will be "stars" from the show.

The people keep the money. It's definitely only a handful of the truly elite ninjas with even having a shot at winning the bonus prize money. They've shortened the runway ramp, making it more difficult.

Yeah, I could tell the runway was much shorter, similar to the wall they have in the finals.

Glad Gill got it, even though it was no surprise. Looks like his family went through hell during Harvey.

Can this show please, please, please, please never again mention or show Kasey? She doesn't compete anymore, her ex hasn't gotten far in the past few years. There are many other women who compete now who are far more talented than she is. Move on...

You just did spoil it. Thanks.

Wow

The Weatherman looked stunned himself, but that was a very difficult course for the National Finals. A couple of those obstacles had new gimmicks, and that is often now the only real challenge to experienced ninja athletes.

My money to win it all is on Daniel Gil or Drew. Those two are so much better athletes than the rest of the field in all the skills that matter. Gil could have shaved another 10 seconds off his time last night with ease if he was pushing it.

Competitors to American Ninja Warrior are starting to arise that will focus strictly on the athletic competition instead of the drama. A Pro Ninja League is starting to form and several of the less-known American Ninja Warriors are leaving the show. This is already in evidence in local competitions.

Yeah, that slide obstacle really gave them trouble. At this point I may have to put my money on Matis. Rookie but has looked like a beast through this and NvN.

Disappointed Flip didn't go through. 12 is a good amount to go through, you don't want too many

after the other half, should be around 22

Ultimate Beastmaster season 3 just came out on netflick

There is competition, but nothing gives this athletics more exposure for their gyms etc than being on NBC

After moving away from the melodrama last year, I thought NBC's presentation has resorted back to the human interest stories too much this season. I also find it bizarre how they will show significant runs in a box while a commercial plays.

It does seem pretty silly to have a "live look-in box" for an event that was taped several months ago.

^ I’ve wondered about that too.
They treat the show as if it’s on live.

“ While we were in commercial these three Ninja’s ran the course and here’s what they did.”

I want each person who wears a costume to go right in the water.
Mostly Captain NBC and the woman in a little skirt with the name Stephie Graf I think?

I thought Kevin Bull was knocked out.
I would like to see them do away with all Ninja Warrior celebrities.

Bull is the only one I find interesting to watch.
The others are trying to hard to have a gimmick and be famous then
being good at the course.

Something I wouldn’t mind seeing is a spot on the process of how people get on this show.
They mention Walk ons that have been in line for days and weeks.

Why?

Is every competitor on this show invited and haven’t earned a chance?

Half the people who made it, did so during the commercial breaks last night. WTF?!

Remember, this is a reality show. It merely masquerades as an athletic contest. Most people have to apply for the show with submission videos unless they happen to know one of the current ninja stars. Others make a name for themselves on the local ninja contest circuit. That is why you get so many contestants with gimmicks, supposedly it makes them attractive for casual summer viewers (read women).

Walk-ons have been known to sleep in tents for nearly three weeks for a shot at the course.

Glad NBC finally ponied up and giving the further the fastest 100K

Other reality shows like the Challenge give away money

Glad Drew got the money, he deserves it

I watched the finale last night and agree on both points. The furthest competitor should go home with something and no one deserved it more than Drew.

I saw on the sidelines the guy who finished but not as fast as Issac (can't remember his name). Has he competed since? If I were him I'd still be super salty for being the first to finish Stage 4 (ever) and go home with nothing.

Jeff Britton. He said he will compete next year and has not completed for several years. Glad Drew got the $$. Hard to believe that they both fell at the same spot!! You think Drew would have learned to not swing as hard so that he could control holding on the ledge better; but oh well.

Geoff Britten is busy opening a ninja gym, he's quit his regular job to become a full-time ninja.

He actually posts as himself over on the reddit forum for ANW and is open about his experiences on the show.

I think Drew got too relaxed after the crowd confirmed he won the last man standing prize.

Lots of complaints this year that the National Finals stages were too difficult. While I think the water obstacle is brutal, I really don't like seeing it in a contest of speed and strength.

I feel like they had to up the difficulty. When the show became more popular, all the usual ninjas set up their own gym or course. If they stuck to the same old obstacles, they'd be shelling out the million bucks every year. Having something new each year will keep it interesting.

I was a bit puzzled by all the trouble people had with the first obstacle of stage 2. So many people had trouble clicking the bar into place or releasing the 2nd. I don't remember that being much of an issue when the obstacle was used in a City stage.

That, and it gave me a reason to keep watching after it was clear no one was going to complete the stage.

i actually think the difficulty was spot on this year. You want things hard. More and more people are training full time specifically for this. Good to see new obstacles they could never had trained for

two skills everyone needs is grip strength, long hang time, and a great lashay

In the early days, the courses favoured Traceurs (parkour), then climbers, now i think it's gymnasts who can get an edge but of course you need all skills

I hope Geoff Britten returns. With there being a furthers fastest prize, he will always have a good chance if he can get to stage 3

glad issac bombed out this year, would have felt sick if he won the 100k

Drew doesn't strike me as someone who is going to blow his 100K on lavish things so that will last him a while and he will just be able to train more



as a gesture, i think NBC should retrospecitvely give every further the fastest from previous season 10K each

I would be happy with best woman winning 25K

Man, another year with no finisher... dang

Really enjoy this show with the family. But would like a better payoff, was happy to see NBC pony up $100k at least.. papal ninja is very underrated, thought Drew had a great season, but it was a huge advatange to go 2nd with so much at stake , really like him though and I really enjoy all the competitors rooting each other on..

agree about furthest woman, $50K at least come in NBC... open up the wallet!

At least NBC gives the women a million dollars worth of publicity...

The female ninja warriors usually end up with more endorsement deals than the male stars. Megan Martin became a pro model on the back of her ANW fame. Jessie Graff and others like Kacey have gotten endorsement deals. The only men I can think of that have them are Drew and the Cowboy.

Drew becomes the third man to have multiple seasons where he was the last person standing, joining David Campbell and Joe Moravsky.