Wheel of Fortune Contestant Defends Pat Sajak After Headlock Celebration Sparks Backlash

This week, a bizarre moment from Wheel of Fortune went viral, given how it was something many fans of the game show never thought they’d see. On Tuesday’s episode, contestant Fred Fletcher-Jackson, a professional wrestler, was playing the game when he correctly answered a bonus round question after a very well-played game. With Fletcher-Jackson’s profession in mind, Pat Sajak playfully pretended to put him into a side headlock, a maneuver known in the wrestling industry as the cross-face chicken wing. Of course, Sajak didn’t apply the hold in a truly painful way, though Fletcher-Jackson sold the move as such, playing along with the TV host.

The moment, especially out of context, left a lot of Wheel of Fortune fans feeling perplexed. After all, nobody ever pictured Pat Sajak applying a pro wrestling maneuver to any of his contestants. The clip and images of the headlock went viral, though this has also led to some criticism against Sajak. Some are arguing that it was not appropriate or professional, but speaking with TMZ Sports, Fletcher-Jackson makes it clear he was not offended whatsoever, calling for those online to cut Sajak some slack. As Fletcher-Jackson explains:

“As a pro wrestler, and as a guy of showbiz and as the guy he was putting in that hold, I loved that moment. Like, L-O-V-E in capital letters. That was one of the biggest highlights of the show. So, for me personally to see, from my perspective, seeing the criticizing that he gets online is a little unfair. ​​​​I was the one who was put in the hold and I was perfectly okay with it. In fact, I loved it. So, I don’t think they should get any more upset than I’m getting because I was the one who was ‘affected’ in that kind of way.”

Related: Pat Sajak Says He’s Nearing Retirement, But Wheel of Fortune ‘Will Not Die’

Pat Sajak Was Just Having Fun

ABC

Fletcher-Jackson rejects that anyone should be upset with Sajak, because as a pro wrestler, he can certainly handle what happened on television. With that said, he does admit to being surprised by the moment, as it happened organically. Fletcher-Jackson also suggests Sajak may have been able to pursue another career option in the ring, noting how he actually had a pretty good hold on the professional wrestler.

“I was so elated after my win, and then Pat just came up behind me out of nowhere, and I was genuinely trying to counter him and try and actually have a wrestling match. He had me so tight that I wasn’t going anywhere. He’s stronger than he looks. I’ve been in enough hammerlocks in my wrestling career to where I know that it really doesn’t hurt necessarily, but he did have me pretty tight and my arm was not going anywhere.”

Though it may have been unusual, the important thing is nobody got hurt, and Wheel of Fortune spins on.

You can view the original article HERE.