Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in March 2016.

Wheel of Fortune, America’s cherished game show, graces our screens every weekday evening, providing an unparalleled dose of entertainment. The sheer joy of witnessing participants amass wealth and leave with more than their initial expectations is delightful. However, the pinnacle of excitement is reached when someone cracks the elusive bonus round puzzle, securing a substantial prize. In the recent episode, a contestant named Shawn initially faced uncertainty, with his guessed letters offering scant clues. Yet, in a surprising turn of events, he swiftly turned the tide, leaving the entire studio audience bewildered.

Shawn’s prowess in the preceding rounds had already marked him as a formidable contender. As the moment arrived for Shawn to tackle the bonus round, hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White radiated optimism, believing Shawn had the mettle to seize the grand prize.

The bonus puzzle featured two words, totaling ten letters, with Shawn opting for the category “Person.” The board had already revealed the most popular letters – R, S, T, L, N, and E. Shawn was granted the opportunity to select three more consonants and a vowel.

Choosing M, D, C, and A as his four letters, Shawn relied on the wisdom often shared by previous Wheel of Fortune champions. Unfortunately, luck did not favor Shawn this time. Only four of the ten letters materialized on the board, none aligning with his guesses. In the Wheel of Fortune realm, such a scenario is disheartening, forcing contestants to crack the puzzle using the provided letters alone.

Pat Sajak couldn’t conceal the uphill battle Shawn faced, stating, “That’s all you get to work with—obviously, it’s challenging.” He added, “Keep talking. Stranger things have happened. Ten seconds. Person. Good luck.”

As Sajak remained clueless about the solution, and viewers at home speculated, Shawn’s fortuitous thinking at the right moment became apparent. Within a second of the bonus round’s commencement, he uttered two words that unraveled the puzzle’s solution.

Shawn’s revelation left the audience and even the seasoned Sajak astonished. “I don’t get this game,” Sajak joked with a slackened jaw. Opening the card, Sajak unveiled Shawn’s earnings, a substantial $33,000 in addition to his regular gameplay winnings.

Watch Shawn’s remarkable triumph in the video below. Wheel of Fortune continues to be America’s favored game, delivering unexpected twists and substantial cash rewards that keep viewers engaged and eagerly anticipating each evening’s episode.