Watch Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak try his best to tackle a contestant

Is That a Body Slam or a Body Hug, Pat?

Pat Sajak is a household name when it comes to game show hosting, but on a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune, he showed that wrestling might not be his forte. The longtime host, who has been at the helm of the show since 1981, playfully attempted to take on a contestant with a background in professional wrestling. The result? A moment that left viewers amused and wondering—was that a body slam or a body hug?

The Hawaiian-themed episode featured a contestant named Fred, a man of many talents. A drama teacher, a bar trivia host, and, most notably, a professional wrestler, Fred brought an energetic presence to the game. He admitted that his wrestling career wasn’t particularly lucrative, stating that he does it “for the fun.” But his time on Wheel of Fortune certainly proved to be rewarding. After a successful series of puzzle wins, he walked away with a whopping $75,800.

Sajak, known for his dry humor and lighthearted antics, decided to celebrate Fred’s victory in an unexpected way. Turning to the other contestants, he jokingly asked, “Just because he’s a professional wrestler, you want me to body-slam him for you?” While the idea of the 76-year-old host attempting a wrestling move may have seemed unlikely, he still went for it. Toward the end of the episode, Sajak made his move—what started as an attempted headlock turned into more of an affectionate embrace, proving that his skills are better suited for hosting than for the wrestling ring.

The interaction left both the contestants and the audience laughing. Fred, for his part, played along, making the moment even more enjoyable. Though it may not have been a textbook wrestling move, Sajak’s attempt at a body slam—or a body hug—added an extra layer of entertainment to the episode.

For over four decades, Sajak has been a familiar face in television, guiding contestants through puzzles and prizes alongside his longtime co-host, Vanna White. The duo has become an iconic pairing, with White expressing how difficult it is to imagine the show without them. “Everybody relates Wheel of Fortune to Pat and Vanna. We’re like Ken and Barbie, you know?” White said in a recent interview. “We’ve been in everybody’s homes for 40 years, so it would be weird having somebody else turn my letters.”

Despite speculation about their eventual retirement, Sajak and White continue to delight audiences with their charm, chemistry, and, in this case, some unexpected wrestling antics. The moment with Fred was a reminder of why Wheel of Fortune remains a beloved show—it’s not just about solving puzzles, but also about the joy and surprises that come along the way.

As for Sajak’s wrestling career? Let’s just say he should probably stick to spinning the wheel rather than stepping into the ring. But whether it was a body slam or a body hug, it was undeniably a moment that Wheel of Fortune fans won’t soon forget.

Is that a body slam or a body hug, Pat?

Pat Sajak is a better television host than he is a wrestler.

The longtime Wheel of Fortune emcee, 76, attempted to wrestle a contestant with a background in the sport on Tuesday’s episode of the game show. The Hawaiian-themed episode introduced viewers to Fred, a man of many talents, including drama teacher, bar trivia host, and pro wrestler.

Fred admitted that he doesn’t get paid very much for the sport, but does it “for the fun.” Fortunately, he now has a little extra cash in his pocket, taking home $75,800 after a series of successful puzzle wins. Sajak celebrated Fred’s impressive showing with “a body slam,” though it turned into more of a body… hug.

“Just because he’s a professional wrestler, you want me to body-slam him for you?” the host asked the other contestants. Toward the end of the episode, Sajak went in for the attack, attempting to put Fred in a headlock.

Sajak has hosted the game show since 1981 alongside co-host Vanna White, who joined the show one year after Sajak. White recently opened up about how “depressing” it was to even think about her and Sajak’s time on the show potentially coming to an end.

“I can’t imagine,” White said of retirement. “Everybody relates Wheel of Fortune to Pat and Vanna. We’re like Ken and Barbie, you know? We’ve been in everybody’s homes for 40 years, so it would be weird having somebody else turn my letters.”