Wheel of FortuneContestant Asks Host Ryan Seacrest If He Can Pinch Him — Find Out His Response!

Mar. 15, 2025

P.J. Wilder on Wheel of Fortune.Photo:CBS

CBS

AWheel of Fortunecontestant couldn’t believe his success!

Contestant P.J. Wilder competed on the beloved puzzle game show on March 3. While solving his way to victory, his wildly enthusiastic reactions won over the audience. He even asked hostRyan Seacrestto pinch him to assure him that he wasn’t, in fact, dreaming.

Racking up nearly $75,000 in a single night, Wilder had good reason to be disbelief.

P.J. Wilder on Wheel of Fortune.CBS

The puzzle brought his total winnings up to $33,660. Wilder then tried to hug Seacrest, but instead, the host instead reached for the contestant’s large mustache. “Oh, okay, yeah,” Wilder replied.

Wilder got his shot at the bonus round, where he could choose the category. Selecting the “What Are You Wearing?” category, the initial letters in puzzle didn’t offer much help: “___ - __ _____E.”

He tried to gauge Seacrest’s opinion on his letter choices, though the host said he “can’t get involved.” Wilder chose D, P, M, and O.

That left his puzzle at “__P - _P _OOD_E,” and Wilder gave his successful guess: “Zip-up hoodie.”

“How is this happening? Please pinch me! Pinch me!” Wilder yelled before Seacrest pinched his shoulder.

Wilder jokingly responded, “Hey!” as the host reassured him that “this all real.”

Ryan Seacrest pinching P.J. Wilder.CBS

Seacrest then revealed Wilder was winning a new car! Absolutely giddy, Wilder hopped into the passenger seat a Mini Cooper convertible, priced at $41,200, and honked the horn. Wilder’s wife joined him on stage, where she got to meet White.

In the end, Wilder’s total winnings came to $74,860.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Wheel of Fortuneairs weeknights on ABC (check local listings).

source: people.com