American Ninja Warrior (2009–…): Season 14, Episode 12 - National Finals #3 - full transcript

I've been watching the show
since I was a little kid,

and now, getting to live out
all my dreams

is just such
an incredible experience.

It's been a dream of mine
since I started

seeing the show on TV
at 9 years old.

I've been dreaming
about total victory

for the last 12 years.

I've heard the view
is beautiful from up there,

but I think
it's a lot better

when you've just
won $1 million.

What a historic moment.



And the last four years
specifically have been

solely focused
on this one dream.

That could be
the million dollar investment.

$1 million richer!

Stage 4 is going down.

Welcome to Las Vegas, where
the entire Ninja season

comes down to one big night,
the season finale

of "American Ninja Warrior."

Hello, and thanks
for being with us.

I'm Matt Iseman.
And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila.

Matt, the next two hours
are going to be nail-biting.

The slightest mistake could
cost these ninjas $1 million.

So we'll start with
our remaining competitors

here on Stage 2,
then move on to Stage 3,



and hopefully Stage 4,
where someone

could become our new champion.

Just two ninjas in history
have won

the $1 million on Stage 4,

but this may be
the strongest field

we've ever had.

Only 12 ninjas
are still alive,

including two who still
have to get past Stage 2,

and up first
is the Country Boy Ninja,

Josiah Singleton.

He's got a spot
on his shorts

where his Safety Pass
used to be--

had to play it last week
when he fell on Piston Plunge.

So if he falls tonight,
his season is over.

This fun-loving
graduate assistant

at Liberty University
trains back

on the family farm
in Virginia.

And he's got
one rowdy cheering section,

the Lynchburg Loonies.

They've been his
good luck charm all season.

Here we go,
six challenging obstacles

on Stage 2,
and you only have 4 minutes

to get to the buzzer.

And sprints across
the Striding Steps.

Whoa.

Now onto
the Double Salmon Ladder.

What a year this has been
for Josiah Singleton.

In his third season,
he got two buzzers so far

and won a Safety Pass
on the Power Tower.

Come on, Josiah.
Whoo!

And he's through
the Salmon Ladder.

Let's go.

Hurry.
Hurry up.

You've got this!

The Loonies are fired up

for the season finale.

Well, this is where he fell
last time, Piston Plunge.

All upper body.

Right here, right here.
Ain't no fried Oreos here.

Ain't no fried corn dogs here.

Ooh, just fighting
those fingertips there,

trying to lock it in.

All right,
come on, Josiah Singleton.

Come on.

He is country strong,
but this is

really testing that grip.

Yeah, they don't got this
in the country, I'm sorry.

Ooh.

And the Safety Pass
can't save him this time.

Country Boy Ninja's out.

Piston Plunge got him again.

This obstacle
will wear out your grip.

He made it to the end, but as
he grabbed the steering wheel,

the shock as it dropped
threw him off,

and his season is over.

We love you, baby.
We love you, Joe.

We love you, Joe.

But what a year
it's been for Josiah Singleton

and the Loonies.
How'd I do?

Our last competitor
on Stage 2

has been amazing all season.

Can he do it again?

It's Gnarly Nate Hansen.

He also had a Safety Pass
that he had to use

when he fell on Stage 1,

but he conquered that course
on his second attempt.

At 5'2" (157cm),
he's always an underdog,

but never count him out.

I've had some
extreme success this season.

I tell you, every time
he comes out here

you know he means business.

Had the fastest time
in qualifying.

Let's go!

The second-fastest time
in semifinals.

That's right.

Won a Power Tower.

Nate Hansen is gonna do it.

Let's go!

And now I'm headed
to Stage 2, and I'm going

to hit that buzzer as well.

A lot of people say
that I'm at a disadvantage

because of my size,

but I don't think
I should be underestimated.

You've got socks on, bro.
You're about to die.

These last few years
of Ninja training

have been solely focused
on this one dream.

I put my money on him.
I put my money on him.

You know,
I've sacrificed a lot.

I put my education to the side.

I put work
to the side to make sure

that this season I would do

the best that
I was capable of.

Gnarly Nate
always comes up big.

The sacrifices
that I have made,

those could be
the million dollar investment.

And he has become
so popular.

Gnarly Nate, Gnarly Nate!

The crowd already
chanting Gnarly Nate.

He's got a big group
on the sidelines that includes

his parents and brothers
and his good friend

and training partner,
Austin Gray.

Gnarly Nate, Gnarly Nate!

All he has to do now
is just trust in his skillset,

and he's got plenty of it.
Great balance.

Nice.

Went to work here
on the Salmon Ladder.

5'2" (157cm), 135 (61kg).

always comes up big.

Good control there.

You can tell, so focused.

Nice.

That's pretty epic
right there.

You tell me that doesn't
give you enough energy.

The crowd chanting
Gnarly Nate.

I love it.

The Loonies and everyone in
this crowd cheering for Nate.

Right now
facing Piston Plunge.

This right here is
the beginning part of taxing

the upper body strength.

But look at how calm he is.

You could just see him
trying to stay relaxed,

not to over-pump.
Nice. Ooh.

Using the feet,
palming it--

just great technique
out of Nate.

You could see
the little isolation going,

one arm over the other.

Here comes the drop.

Got it.
Nice.

And he's through.

Yeah, Gnarly Nate, yeah!

Well, here's
the biggest challenge

right now,
trying to make sure you can

hold on to the Hammer Drop.

Doesn't have the long arms
and legs to wrap around,

so it's gonna be a bit more
of a challenge.

You've got to give
this thing a Valentine's hug.

I mean, hug it
with everything you've got.

Hug it!
Love it, nice.

And we have learned,
you don't underestimate

Nate Hansen.
Yes, Matt.

At 5'2" (157cm), he gave it
everything he had on that one.

Ooh, boy.

And a little struggle
getting on top here.

There it is.

Yeah, turn around.

One slight mistake,
and that could be it.

And watch the leap.

Here, again, that hammer
goes away from you

as you push to the rope.

You really have
to anticipate it.

Get up high, too,
to give yourself

the ability to recover.

Nice.

Great job.

Oh, man, that's a big moment.

That was
the obstacle I thought

would be toughest for him.

Just over 2 minutes left
for the final two obstacles,

and he's going
to need every second.

This is where
it really starts to get hard,

here on Hornet's Nest.

Gnarly Nate, Gnarly Nate,

Gnarly Nate, Gnarly Nate!

Going to need some
big throws on this obstacle.

Hornet's Nest knocked out
top veterans Ethan Swanson

and Kyle Soderman last week.

All right, this is
an 8-foot lache here.

Nice.

And the fixed wheel here--

this is lining up
for the big one

from this
third honeycomb here.

Matt, that's right.

The third to the fourth
is a 10-foot lache.

That means he's got
to generate enough force,

but all of that force
is going to throw him

into that fourth honeycomb,

and that could bounce him off.

Watch that.
Use the upper body.

Use the wax to absorb it.

Whoa, OK, nice!

Nate Hansen going to be
closing in

on a minute here soon.

Come on!

Come on, Nate!
Nice.

And Nate Hansen
another step closer.

Under a minute.

Never underestimate
Nate Hansen, Matt.

Look at this.

Everyone here
on their feet wanting

this 5'2" (157cm) underdog
to finish this course.

Breathe.

Austin Gray
reminding him to breathe.

Austin finished
Stage 2 last year.

If Nate finishes,
this place is going to erupt

like a slot machine!

He's got to be aware
of the clock.

Gnarly Nate
has got to hustle.

Locks in.

The swing
will keep rotating--

little easier to absorb.

And you know
he's feeling the pump.

But here it is,
the Blind Grab.

Get it, Nate, dawg.
Yes!

Get it, Nate, dawg!
10 seconds!

Nate Hansen's going to do it.

Come on!

Man, you love to see this,
for Gnarly Nate to be able

to come out here and crush
these six obstacles.

Well done.

Whoo!

He never lets
his size hold him back.

Nate Hanson
made the big moves

needed on Stage 2.

And even the blind grab
at the end

wasn't too gnarly for Nate.

Right now,
he's down with Zuri.

This is your first time
on Stage 2,

and you absolutely crushed it.

How did it feel?

You know,
it felt really good.

You know, I've spent
a lot of this year

really dedicating myself to
doing really well on the show,

and I'm seeing
the results pay off.

All that hard work
and discipline

is really
coming into play here,

so Stage 2
got me all warmed up,

and we're headed
to Stage 3 gnarlier than ever.

All right.

So Nate becomes
our 11th ninja

who'll move on to Stage 3.

Let's take a look
at the others.

There are five teenagers
in this elite group of ninjas.

All of them have
a shot to win $1 million.

So now we're on the move.

We're heading over there
to Stage 3.

Yeah, this is where
ninja legends are made,

and I can't wait.

What a night
it's going to be.

Can the teenager Kaden Lebsack
get redemption on Stage 4?

Go!
Oh, my gosh!

Will Jay "Lache" Lewis keep
his perfect season going?

Let's go!

Or will another teenager
take home the $1 million?

And after 12 years...

Flip Rodriguez gets
his first shot at Stage 3.

And he's up next
on the season finale

of "American Ninja Warrior."

Welcome back
to "American Ninja Warrior's"

season finale.

We've moved
over to Stage 3,

a step closer
to the $1 million prize.

And, Matt, Stage 3
is where legends are made.

Only a handful of ninjas have
ever conquered this course.

Now, for a look at what
our ninjas are facing,

let's go down to Zuri.

Guys, Stage 3 is always
an upper-body gauntlet,

and this season there are
new surprises for our ninjas.

They'll have
to learn the ropes

for the new first obstacle,
Patriot Pass.

Stalactites is back
at number two,

and then they'll tackle
another new one

called Chop It Up.

As always,
the Ultimate Cliffhanger

is the fourth obstacle,
followed by Pipe Dream,

and the return
of Eyeglass Alley.

Finally, they'll have
to survive Flying Bar

if they want
to reach the buzzer

and have a shot
at the million bucks.

All right, guys, let's see
what happens on Stage 3.

And this crowd
is on their feet

for our first
Stage 3 competitor.

It's Ninja legend
Flip Rodriguez.

He's returned to wearing
a mask to the start line

to raise awareness
for child abuse,

and the mask has seemed
to bring him good luck.

He's had
an outstanding season,

and that includes
his first time ever

on Stage 3.

It just feels so good
for the curse

to finally be broken
on Stage 2.

Oh, yes!
Oh!

Oh, so--got it!

Nice, go get it!
Go get it.

Yes!
Go get it!

Yes.

Flip Rodriguez gets
his first Stage 2 buzzer.

Took 12 years
for me to get to Stage 3.

It's just--I can't help
but get emotional

because I put in the work,

and I am just so happy
that it's paying off.

Uh-oh, looks like
a little injury there.

I ripped my hand on Stage 2,

but on Stage 3,
it's not going to matter.

And if I have to lose
a little blood for it,

it's time to fight.

Let's go.

Let's go!

It's not over
until I'm looking

on the top of Mount Midoriyama

at the Las Vegas skyline.

Stage 3 is about to get crazy.

You can see the bandage
on his right hand.

Injured it on Stage 2.

We'll see if that affects him.

Down on the sideline,
Flip's student Jordan Carr,

the youngest woman to get up
a Warped Wall,

and training partner RJ Roman,

along with
some other ninjas,

everyone pulling
for Flip tonight.

Let's go, Flip.

Go, Flip.
No time limit on Stage 3.

You just have to finish.

Here's the brand-new
obstacle, Patriot Pass.

Climb out, and now start
pulling that rope down

to try to minimize
the drop that you're

going to experience.
Ooh.

Yeah, and that drop
can wear you out.

Another one here.

Avoid that big drop.

Yeah, kind of
balance it out-nice.

Because you can see,
that's coiled up.

Patriot Pass--pass the test.

Let's go, Flip!
Let's go.

Come on!

And Flip makes it look easy.

On now to Stalactites.

And you can see
that hand taped up.

Well, it's going
to be tested here.

Yeah, for this one,
you have to swing

through and slide
those handles

inside those small slots.

It's important to get
through it quickly.

You really want
to just try to use

that momentum, swing into it,
get that cradle hooked.

And look how calm he is.

You know that was easy.

That right there
is an example

of how calm
he's been all season.

Yes!

Let's go, Flip!

It's a brand-new obstacle--
Chop It Up.

That is a big bar.

You're going to have to
wrap around with both arms,

and then hang on
for three big drops.

Here we go.

That drop goes
from 1:00 to 3:00

It's time to go to work.

All right, let's go.

Let's chop it up then.

And you can see
the challenge trying

to build up the momentum
wrapped around it.

Hard fall--
taking a blow to the chin.

Don't talk about it.
Be about it.

And Flip Rodriguez
is about that life.

And he's through.

And Ultimate Cliffhanger
is next.

And Flip's just going
to rip that bandage off

to get ready for it.

Let's go!

I think he's
afraid the bandage

would interfere
with his fingertips

on the Ultimate Cliffhanger.

Oh, he's flashing the horns
over to his buddy RJ.

Yeah, he's talking about
he's going to rock it.

Let's go, dude.

So here we go
with the Ultimate Cliffhanger.

Over the years, this has
ended many runs on Stage 3.

These ledges
are only an inch wide.

The key is use
that lower body

to build up momentum.
Carry it up.

Lock in the fingers.

I'm pretty confident
that Flip Rodriguez

is going to dominate here
on the Ultimate Cliffhanger.

Oh.
Oh.

No, no, no,
no, no, no, no, no!

The grip gave out.

Oh, no.

Are you kidding me?

It's all good, Flip.

Good job, Flip.

Well, Flip took some
hard blows on Chop It Up.

Those will
definitely rattle you.

And when he got to
Ultimate Cliffhanger,

that injury on his hand
may have been a factor.

His fingers just slipped off
as he reached up.

Well, he's disappointed,

but overall,
a great season for him.

And he's with Zuri in our
NerdWallet post-run interview.

Flip, this is your
first time on Stage 3.

What did it feel like
to get to this hallowed ground?

It felt good.
I felt really good, amazing.

I'm happy
with my accomplishments,

and I just hope to impact
people with my performance,

my life story,
and continue to have

these supporting,
amazing people around me

because without them,
I wouldn't be where I am today.

We love you, Flip.

Well, that's exactly
what you're doing.

Keep inspiring us, Flip, truly.

I'll see you next season.
Guys, back to you.

This post-run interview
brought to you by NerdWallet,

the smartest decision for
all your financial decisions.

Coming up, he's been
unstoppable all season...

Let's go!

Including a win
on the Power Tower.

That was so close.

Now, Jay "Lache"
tries to keep

his perfect streak alive,

next on
"American Ninja Warrior's"

season finale.

Welcome back to Las
Vegas and the last night

of the "American
Ninja Warrior" season.

Next up on Stage 3
is 18-year-old college student

Jay "Lache" Lewis.

You can see he still has
his Safety Pass.

He didn't have to use it

because this guy's
been on a hot streak.

Jay Lewis has
a perfect season going so far.

Boom, just like that.

Let's go!

Oh, yeah!

Only three ninjas
have ever completed a season

without hitting the water.

Jay "Lache."

Didn't even need
the Safety Pass.

He's going to Stage 3.

It's truly been incredible.

Not getting wet this season
is always amazing.

It's one of those things that
you always dream of having

kind of that perfect season.

So far...

Mine has stayed perfect.

And I really feel like
Stage 3 is the one

that I shine the most on.

I feel like my endurance
is really going to show,

and I'm really feeling
confident going into it.

It's a big moment for Jay.

And watching back
in Connecticut

is his buddy Joe Moravsky.
Let's go, Jay!

Joe had to bow out
because of health protocols,

but still showing support
for his training partner.

And Jay's got a big group
of East Coast ninjas

on the sideline,
along with his parents.

And he's off.

And what makes Jay "Lache"
unique is his size,

just 5' 4" (162cm) and 115 pounds (52kg).

No Safety Pass for Stage 3.

You've just
got to pass the test.

First one, Patriot Pass.

All right, work it down,
work it down.

Here we go.
Whoa.

Joe Moravsky
was the one who

first told us
about Jay "Lache."

Good.
Yes.

Joe's been training
with Jay for a while,

and he's been telling us
just how good Jay "Lache" is.

Second year on Ninja,
and he's on Stage 3.

It's amazing.

I mean, think about
how long it took

so many of our veterans
to make it to Stage 3.

Some have never made it
to Stage 3.

Making quick work
of Stalactites,

and he's through.

On now to Chop It Up.

Make sure those arms
are really locked around,

and anticipate
that jarring drop.

Yeah, this is
where weight-room muscles

could help out.

All right,
he's nice and light.

Watch out
for the spinning log.

Ooh, he came in
there real tight.

Well, if you don't
have weight-room muscles,

it's nice to be 115 pounds.
That's true, Matt.

That's true.

All right, here we go.

Throw yourself into it.
Ooh.

Nice.
Nice.

Great job.

He's like, "I might be 115 (52kg),
but I can hold my own."

A little confident now.

Come on.

And now, he'll get his
first shot

at the Ultimate Cliffhanger,

an obstacle that's ended
so many ninja dreams

over the years, including
Flip Rodriguez minutes ago.

Has to navigate his way
across these tiny ledges.

Well, good job
using that lower body.

You can see it rotating up,
carries him

right to that next cleat.

Look how fluid he is.

This looks very nice
and easy for him.

Got it.

I mean, he's not
even grimacing.

Got to make this 6-foot
jump to the other side.

Yeah.
And he gets it.

Wow, the Ultimate Cliffhanger

used to be a road block
for ninjas.

Jay Lewis
just cruised through it.

Let's go.

Stay cool.
Come on, you've got this.

You're good, buddy,
you're good.

You got this.

Now he'll be the first
tonight to try Pipe Dream.

First has to swing up
to that platform.

Good job.

Real smooth there.

Has to work his way
through these vertical poles.

You'll see ninjas try
a few different techniques.

Oh, looking like Spider-Man.

Whoa, hold on now.
Watch that slide.

Nice recovery.

Now getting
to the tricky part.

These thicker pipes drop down.

He's got to swing over
and bear-hug that thing.

And he's so light, Matt,

it's just like
he's got to stick.

5' 4" (162cm)-there it is.

Had enough legs
to make that reach.

Yeah.

And, wow,
really efficient right there.

That was beautiful.

He's now two obstacles
away from a buzzer,

but this is where his buddy
Joe Moravsky's

run into trouble.

Joe's reached this point
and fallen in season 6...

No!

Season 9...
No.

And again in season 11.
No!

Oh, my gosh.

Can Jay do what his mentor
Joe has only dreamed of?

Come on.
Hit it for me, man.

But Eyeglass Alley
is a tough one.

He has to maneuver
the metal eye frames

to land on the hooks.

He's going to need
20/20 vision here.

Nice.

And I just love it,
arm over arm--

such efficiency
out of Jay "Lache."

Whoa.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Little struggle.

You can see it pivoting,
having trouble controlling it.

Oh, backwards then--
do it backwards then,

do it backwards then.
Oh, this is trouble.

Big boy's giving it to you.

Whatever is given
to you, take it.

What?
Nice.

Are you kidding me?

Out of nothing,
he made the adjustment.

He didn't fight it.
He just went with it.

Improvise, adapt, overcome.

Nice.

Jay "Lache"
totally in focus here.

Oh, my goodness.

Let's go, Jay.

He's now reached
the Flying Bar.

Only seven other ninjas
in history

have reached this point.

Even the great Joe Moravsky
never got here.

Let's go!

But the Flying Bar
is difficult.

He's going to have to jump this
bar across the five cradles.

Here we go.

115 pounds should be pretty
nice and light to fly through.

Whoa.

How great is it,
in the final obstacle

you're going
to live out your name?

Jay "Lache"-two more moves.

All right, he's got this.
One more move.

He's got this.

Get it!
Come on!

Lache!

Oh, my God.
Yes.

For the fourth time in history,
we're going to Stage 4.

Whoo, let's go.

What a moment.

His parents are joining him.

The tears are flowing.

Oh, man, just crying
in his mom and dad's arms.

Look at that.

Oh, my-oh, my gosh.

Jay "Lache" was
almost flawless on Stage 3.

He gave us a scare
on Eyeglass Alley,

but he improvised
and survived,

did what his mentor
Joe Moravsky never did--

made it to the end of Stage 3.

And he's going
to climb for $1 million.

Well, this incoming
college freshman

is certainly having
a sophomore season

to remember on "Ninja Warrior."

Coming up,
while these teenagers

battled through Ninja courses,
their moms

were battling cancer--

the story of this
lifesaving friendship next

on "American Ninja Warrior."

Welcome back to Las Vegas
where $1 million

is up for grabs tonight.

Teenager Jay Lewis took
a step closer to that jackpot

by finishing Stage 3
minutes ago.

And while we were away,
another teenager

got his shot at Stage 3.

17-year-old Ethan Bartnicki
was one of two rookies

left in the competition.

Oh, he just chopped it down.

The aspiring
music producer

used to go by the name
Little Dolla

back when we first saw him
on "Ninja Junior."

Little Dolla
going for $1 million.

At just 114 pounds,

he's our lightest
remaining competitor.

And it paid off,
as he was able to glide

across Ultimate Cliffhanger.

I think we've got another
Ninja star on our hands.

He made it to
the fifth obstacle,

Pipe Dream,
but that's where

his impressive
rookie season ended.

Whoa.
Oh, no.

That was the most fun
I've ever had in the course.

Let's go.

And the other rookie
who made it to Stage 3

is on the course right now.

This is 21-year-old
Matt D'Amico.

This gym owner from
Billerica, Massachusetts,

has been one of this season's
biggest surprises.

First time
at the National Finals,

and he had
the fastest finish on Stage 2.

We didn't know much about
Matt D'Amico coming in,

but he's opened up
some eyes this season.

All right, here we go.

Little awkward there,
but staying alive.

OK, see it.

OK, there he is.

Great job.

Survives
the Ultimate Cliffhanger.

He's got a big group
on the sidelines,

including his
girlfriend Kelsey.

At just 21, he runs his own
gym back in the Boston area.

And look at some of
the kids he coaches

watching from back at the gym.
He's their hero.

Let's go, let's go.

5' 8"-should have
the wingspan here

to be comfortable
on Pipe Dream.

Did seem to be
a challenge though.

Did you see
his girlfriend Kelsey?

She's on the edge of her seat.
Oh, yes.

Come on!
Nice.

Great move there.

Wow, I liked
the soft landing there.

That's not easy.
Nice.

Hold on to that pipe.

Matt D'Amico
moving efficiently.

Come on, Matt.
One more, one more.

Use your legs, use your legs.
Get through it.

That's good.
Way to ride that drop.

Let's go!
Let's go.

And he is through Pipe Dream
as quickly as anyone tonight.

You can do this.

And family hanging
on every move.

And he's now
just two obstacles away

from the buzzer, would be
only the second rookie

ever to do it.

Kaden Lebsack
was the first last year.

I'm starting to notice
that the ninjas

are using a different
technique from last year.

They're grabbing the top
of the eyeglass

for better control.
Get it up.

Place it right there.
Nice. Nice.

Matt D'Amico
continues to impress.

Just powers it in.

Yeah, he says, bump that.

Get in there.

It is not supposed
to be this easy.

And, Matt, he's got
plenty of strength left.

He's just got to be accurate.
Nice.

Matt D'Amico--
oh, you're kidding me.

Yeah, he can see it now.

Let's go!

Flashes a smile.

He knows he's
only one obstacle away

from climbing for $1 million.

Oh, my gosh, he's so close.
He's so close.

Breathe, breathe.

His rookie year,
his rookie year.

A hard-working
21-year-old gym owner--

$1 million
would change his life.

Squeeze.
Whoa.

D'Amico.
Yes.

Squeeze.

Three more moves.
Two more moves.

Almost there.
Come on.

Come on, rook.

No!
Oh!

Right off the--ah!
You were--ah!

Hey, we love you, Matt.

Peels off
with one move left.

Matt D'Amico
doesn't get a buzzer,

but what an impressive run.

Oh, he was so close,

just two cradles away.

We haven't had a fall
on Flying Bar in years,

since Ian Dory
fell here in season seven.

Oh!

Tonight, D'Amico
started losing his grip

as soon as he touched the bar.

And by the last move,
he just couldn't hold on.

That was so close.

Was so close to his dream.

He'll be thinking
about that one all year.

Oh, you did so good.
So proud of you.

Up next on Stage 3
is 17-year-old Max Feinberg.

He's taking a look at
his highlights on the screen,

but his impact
goes beyond the course.

Through Ninja, he became
buddies with fellow ninja

Kaden Lebsack,

and that friendship brought
their families together

and helped save a life.

I'm so excited.

You are in Castle Rock.
I know.

Over the past year,
my family has become

very close with the Lebsacks.

Most people didn't know
that when Kaden was competing

on season 13,
like my mom, his mom

was also fighting
breast cancer.

In October of 2020, I was
diagnosed with breast cancer,

and I was on
a mission to make sure

that all of my close friends
were up to date

on their annual mammograms.

I had this fun idea that I
was going to get my mammogram,

wrap it up to her,
and be like, "Here you go."

And about a week later,
I got the call

that I had breast cancer.

The whole time I was
competing last season,

I was always thinking
about my mom.

But I'm just so proud

he's living out his dream,
and he's worked so hard.

What helped take
my mind off it

was kind of just distracting
myself with Ninja

to take out
all the negative thoughts.

It was awesome
having Max with me

when my mom
was going through it.

He was always there for me,
and it was nice to have

someone to talk about it with.

Max and Kaden
were meant to be friends,

and because of that,
I am now cancer free.

That's for you, Mom.
That's for you.

"That's for you, Mom."
What a beautiful moment.

As I watch our kids
go through

"American Ninja Warrior,"
they see the obstacles

that we went through.

Max, what does it feel like

having your mom
on the sidelines?

Look at the smile on her face.

To make my mom proud
is just the biggest--

the most I could ever ask for.

That buzzer's for you, Mom.

They have given us
strength as our kids.

And I hope that we have
given them strength

to get through that course.

He is a-max-ing!

He's going to Stage 3.

Our moms will never give up,
and neither will we.

Incredibly emotional story,
and as always,

Max will be wearing
a pink ribbon on his shirt

to raise awareness
for breast cancer.

Let's go, dude, you got it.
Oh.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, didn't
really control the rope there.

Yeah.
Survived that one.

Well, there's not
a lot of history lesson

on this one because
it's a brand-new obstacle.

There it is, dude.
You got it.

You got it.
All right, good.

There we go.
Yeah.

Let's go.

Has to survive
six more obstacles,

starting right here,
Stalactites.

Come on, Max.
Breathe, dude.

Well, we saw him
on "Ninja Junior."

He impressed us--
growing up before our eyes,

heading off to college
right after this.

And, Matt, he's going
to be studying marketing

at the University of Denver.

This is Marketing 101--

how to market
your Ninja skills.

Going to be pretty cool
sitting in your dorm room

as a freshman going,
"What'd you do this summer?"

Yeah.

"Oh, yeah, well, I had
a shot at $1 million."

Line it up.
Line it up.

Very efficient.

Very.

Well, dodged
a bullet on Patriot Pass.

Be careful here on Chop It Up.

All you, dude.
You're secure.

Lock those arms.

All right, this young kid
from McLean, VA.

All right, boom--
ooh, wow, took

one straight to the kisser.

Boy, you saw the head
go back, a little whiplash.

Whoa.
Oh, no.

Max Feinberg chopped down.

The logs spun out on him.
Watch this.

His head got rocked
on the first one.

And then on the second
one he took another shot.

His glasses somehow stayed on,
but Max couldn't.

To spread my message
on a stage this big--

oh, it means
the absolute world to me.

His season
cut short here on Stage 3,

but what a remarkable run
out of Max Weinberg.

Coming up, Josh Levin's
a world-class rock climber.

Will those grip
and agility skills

give him an edge on Stage 3?

And we'll see him next
on "American Ninja Warrior."

Welcome back to
the most exciting show

on the Vegas Strip tonight,
the season finale

of "American Ninja Warrior."

We know at least one ninja's
going to climb

Stage 4's tower
for $1 million.

And Zuri's going to get
our next athlete going.

He is a world-class
rock climber

and a Harvard grad.

Now, Josh Levin is hoping
to add "Ninja Warrior" champion

to his résumé.

He's a 19-time
U.S. champion in climbing.

And he's done pretty well
in Ninja, too,

with 12 buzzers
in his four seasons.

And he looks so confident.

He knows stage three plays
to his strengths as a climber.

And he's got a big group
down on the sidelines,

including his parents,

who never miss
one of his runs.

First up is Patriot Pass.

Control these ropes.

Reach out to that second one.

Advance it down.

And he's got
to get through the red,

white, and blue Patriot Pass.

Climb it up.

Repeat again here.

Good job controlling
the descent.

Well, this is a nice
warm-up to the pump-out.

He's got his master's
from Harvard,

and he already had
an engineering degree.

So you know he's got
every one of these moves

plotted out on this course.

Up next is Stalactites.

Just such a tight--

you can see, he's got
to take the handles

and put it into those
tight little keyholes.

You got it, Josh.
You got it, Josh.

Oh.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.

And a little spun around.
Josh Levin--

Easy, buddy.

Well, again, "Ninja Warrior"

is very different
than climbing.

He has the grip strength.

Yeah, you can see, and he's
trying to get that back hand

out to the front part.
There it is.

Nice.

Good job using
the momentum, staying calm.

He regrouped.
Got it.

Well, that would get
the heart rate going.

Yeah,
it got my heart rate going,

and I'm not even on it.

Good job.

He's taking
a slower approach.

No time limit on Stage 3,
you just have to finish.

On now to Chop It Up.

You just saw Max Feinberg
go out here.

This isn't about the grip.
This is upper body.

You've got to wrap
those forearms

around to try to hold on--

just a different move
than you do in rock climbing.

All right, come in tight
when you grab that log.

Nice.

Ooh, and you can see,
he took that to the chin.

That's it, that's it.

This course
is fighting back.

And you can see him
throwing himself into it.

Nice.
Got it.

Ooh, boy.

Once again, and this is
sapping that upper body,

believe me.
Yes, it is.

Yeah, he took that one

straight to
the pectoralis major.

Lots of support
in this crowd for Josh Levin.

And you can see that smile.
He's staying loose.

And this next one,
Ultimate Cliffhanger,

should be right
in his wheelhouse.

All right.
Let's go, Josh.

Levin almost made it
to the Olympics for climbing.

He's been hanging
off real cliffs

since he was a kid.

He's got this one.

Well, when your Olympic
dreams don't work out,

this is a nice fallback plan.

Yeah, I don't know
if this is a fallback plan.

I don't think you can get
$1 million rock climbing.

Well, here it is,
the big transfer--

a 6-foot transfer.
Got to fly here.

This is a dynamic move.

And watch him use
the upper body to absorb it.

Yeah, this is his
bread and butter.

He's got this.

Nice.
Great job.

Nice.

Look at-come on, you didn't
have to do the one-handed hold

right there.

Come on, Josh Levin.

Look at this one again--

made the big move across,

and then celebrates
like a world-class climber

by just hanging with one hand.

Come on, that's too cool.

But here he is now
on Pipe Dream.

Match it up.

Get that balance.
Nice.

Got it.
Great balance.

Now, you can see on
these poles, got to jump out,

spread the arms, and hold on.

Holds on to one--look at that.

Yeah, dancing on that pole.

He's just skipping
the other one.

Long split there, 5' 6" (168cm)

got plenty of leg span.

Now, these final two,
they will drop.

Get up high.

Hold on.

Ooh, nice, all right,
throwing himself into it.

And look at that leg lock.

He's feeling it, Akbar.

And we talked about it.

He is a speed climber.
He wants a shot on that rope.

He doesn't think anybody
can keep up with him,

but you've got to get there.
Watch it.

This one will drop as well.

Spreading out when he
gets his weight onto it.

Watch the drop.

This Pipe Dream is about to
be a reality for Josh Levin.

He's definitely
taking a much slower approach

than Jay Lewis.

And though there's no
time limit on Stage 3,

the faster finisher
will go last on Stage 4,

so this slower pace
could cost him strategically

if he makes it that far.
Nice.

He's done it.

Just two more
obstacles to go,

and he could be
climbing for $1 million.

Eyeglass Alley--
so difficult, Matt.

You've got to have
the right technique.

And you talked about focus--

he's got to be bi-focused
on Eyeglass Alley.

And you could
see it in there.

Use that right hand
on the ring.

Control it.
Place it.

Nice.
Good job.

All right,
there's that move.

And this one pivots.

You can see
those rings pivoting.

Go down and under.

He's struggling.

He's struggling.

Locked the ring--
that was close.

All right,
that's the second move.

Here's the third.
Oh, my.

Three moves.

Now, this, you've got to
use it like a salmon bar.

Got to get both of
those rings hooked on.

Otherwise, you will peel
off and splash down.

Aw, Matt, hey, he's starting
to say

that he's feeling it, Matt.
You can see it on his face.

This is such a tough move,
especially when

your arms are totally drained.

Let's go, Josh!

Let's go, Josh!
Let's go, Josh!

Got it.
OK.

Oh, my, Josh Levin...
Whoa.

In rare territory.

He's waving to us.

One more obstacle
on Stage 3, Flying Bar.

All right,
five cradles, a 6-inch drop

on each one of these.

5' 6" (168cm), 150 pounds (68kg).

All right, here we go.
Going with that switch grip--

I like it.
Try to avoid peeling off.

You've got to be precise.
Don't overshoot it.

Yeah, and if you
come in tight,

it takes a little bit
of the absorption off.

Nice.
Great job.

Great technique.

And look at him
repositioning that bar.

I know he wants
to get out of there.

He's probably
feeling the pump.

Nice.
How could you not?

Nice and tight--
coming in nice and tight.

One more cradle.
One more move.

One more cradle.
The rock climber.

Get out of there.
One more.

He's got a shot
at the million.

He's got
a shot at the million.

Josh Levin does it.

And that might have been

to the million-dollar
move there.

Wow.
Wow.

Our second finisher
on Stage 3.

That equals
the most we've ever had.

His climbing skills
definitely helped

on these final obstacles.

He rested on Pipe Dream,
had to work Eyeglass Alley,

but by Flying Bar,
he knew he had it.

And now he's got a shot
at a million bucks.

So right now,
it's going to be a climb-off

at the end of the night
between Jay "Lache" Lewis

and Josh Levin.

But we've still got more
top ninjas to come

who could join them
on Stage 4.

Coming up, Flip Rodriguez's
run ended in heartbreak.

Now, his training partner,
RJ Roman,

runs for the both of them.

He's next on the season finale
of "American Ninja Warrior."

Some great ninjas
have come out of Chicago,

but Stage 3
has been a roadblock.

The last three
to make it here,

Ethan Swanson,

Michael Torres...

And Chris DiGangi...
Oh!

Have all fallen
on the Ultimate Cliffhanger.

And we've got
another Chicago Ninja

taking on Stage 3 right now.

This is Cam "The Bomb"
Baumgartner.

He's having an amazing season,
with four buzzers already.

Cam real efficient
on Chop It Up.

That's his parents on
the sideline, along with some

of the other Chicago Ninjas.
Let's go, Cam.

You got this.

On now to the Cliffhanger.

And, Matt, this is the one
obstacle no one from Chicago

has been able to conquer.

Can Cam Baumgartner
be the one to break through?

Look at the efficiency.

Big reach up,
crossing over--wow.

Matt, he's moving fast,
so the pump-out

doesn't catch up to him.

Wow.
Making it look easy.

He's trying to get out
of there, launching--

Whoa.
Launching.

Yeah.

Chris DiGangi's
watching from Chicago.

This is where
he fell three years ago.

Yes.

Cam is blowing up,
like I thought he would.

Here we go, Cam, come on.

Boom--blow up that course.

Come on, let's go.

And he's now gone
further on Stage 3

than any Chicago Ninja.

Going to try to keep it going
on Pipe Dream.

Launch it up.

Keep in mind, this wall
will swing back if you

don't control your momentum.

Wow, it looks
like Batman there.

Yeah, he did
a little superhero landing.

That's kind of cool.

He's a gymnastics coach.

And he looks right
at home on these bars.

Whoa.

Spinning around, OK.

Use your legs!
Use your legs!

But this is where
it gets tougher.

Now, these will drop.
Lock it in.

Nice.

He is holding on to that pipe.
He is locked on.

Doing that figure-four
leg lock, giving

that upper body a little rest.

Yeah, of course.

He's a--he was a wrestler
in high school,

so he knows about that
figure-four leg lock.

Yep, get 'em up.
Keep moving!

That's it.
There you get it.

Well, last year had
that early exit on Stage 1,

and it clearly motivated him
even more.

Yeah, he's 5' 5" (165cm),
Matt, so he's going

to have to struggle.

That's a reach,
so he's going to have

to turn around and jump to it.
Going to be a big drop.

Whoa.

Just couldn't do it.

And the Pipe Dream comes
to an end for Cam Baumgartner.

Wow.
All right, Cam.

Whoo!

Well, he set a new standard
for Chicago Ninjas

on the Ultimate Cliffhanger,

but on Pipe Dream, that's
a 6-foot gap to the next pole.

Tried to straddle it,
and that didn't work.

So he jumped
and just couldn't hang on.

But what a great season--

four buzzers
for Cam "The Bomb."

Up next is Ninja's resident
rock star, RJ Roman.

The heavy-metal musician is
having his best season ever.

And he credits much of it
to the extra work

he's done
with Flip Rodriguez...

Come on, baby, let's go.

Who's over
on the sideline with some

of the other ninjas RJ trains.

This 25-year-old success
is all the more remarkable

considering where he started.

Yes.

This is
an unbelievable performance.

RJ Roman shreds Stage 2.

When I was a teenager
I did not think my life

would be going this way.

I grew up
in lower-income areas,

where drug and gang activity
was pretty frequent.

Luckily, my grandma
stepped up

and took care of me.

A lot of my friends
didn't have someone positive

in their life,

so they went towards
that direction of drug abuse.

If 25-year-old me was
in a room with 16-year-old me,

I would tell myself, "Your
life is what you make of it."

For me, I've had music
and scootering and Ninja.

Whoa.
Ooh.

But I had to explore
before I found those things,

and you're not
going to explore

when you're taking
negative routes.

Yeah.

Stage 3
is not ready for RJ Roman.

This is going to be
my second time on Stage 3.

Wow, super power there.

I don't fail
the same stage twice.

And I'm absolutely ready
to shred Stage 3.

And RJ's parents are
a big part of his life today.

They're watching from home
with one of his cousins.

Let's go!

What a stud
of a young man RJ is.

5' 6" (168cm), 145 (65kg),
professional musician,

gym owner,
second time on Stage 3.

He fell early here
three years ago,

but you heard him.

He's never fallen
on the same stage twice.

I believe him.
I got faith in RJ Roman.

And he's quickly
through Patriot Pass.

Time to shred it.
Go ahead, RJ, let's go.

But Flip said, RJ is
his pick to win it all.

He's known for his speed,
but his grip

is going to be tested
on this course,

including right here
on Stalactites.

I think he understands
what's at stake here.

You can go fast,
but you want to make sure

that you don't rush.

Long reach there.

Got it.
Nice.

Smooth.
Let's go!

Yes!
Yes.

No problem so far.

Now has to climb up
to take on Chop It Up.

On Stage 3,
it's the cumulative effect.

All these upper-body obstacles
take a toll on you.

Great job.

Really good job absorbing
that violent fall.

Wow, he's chopping it down,
and really efficient.

Great.
Nice.

Oh--
Lost the hat.

Lost the lucky hat.
That's all right.

Lost the hat.

That's some nice Ninja swag
in the water there.

This is where
his buddy Flip went down

on Ultimate Cliffhanger.

All right, come on.
Rock on with your bad self.

RJ Roman--good long reach.

Great power.

Proving that he
belongs here.

He belongs
with the elite ninjas.

I love the efficiency here
on Ultimate Cliffhanger.

Not a wasted move,
executing it just like

he planned it in his head.

Oh, almost peeled
off on that one, Matt.

Nice.

There it is,
good adjustment.

Wow, that could
have been disastrous.

Yes!

He's got to be thinking
about all those hours spent

in the gym in Orlando,

he and Flip
going back and forth,

pushing each other.

Let's see how he does here
on this mount onto the wall.

Nice move.

On now to Pipe Dream.

And you can see
that wall shaking--uh-oh.

Whoa, whoa, whoa,
little wobble.

Uh-oh, whoa,
keep your balance.

Yeah.

Makes the grab,
with the first sign

of any trouble for RJ Roman.

Yeah, you want to try
to get through here--

no mistake.

Whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, oh, it's

got to be so nerve-racking.

Taking some risks here.

Yeah, he's just trying
to get out of there.

He wants to lock in.
Yeah.

Lock in.

He's starting
to feel the burn.

So typically, that gets you
to try to want to hurry up.

He's trying to find
a resting place.

And it's very hard
here on Stage 3--

no real resting place.

Watch this drop.

Hang on.

Nice, got it.

All right.

RJ Roman at Eyeglass Alley.

And look at Flip.
Let's go!

Let's go!
Let's go!

Let's go!

RJ Roman on Eyeglass Alley,
looking like, look at me now.

RJ Roman has been
focused all year long,

anticipating this moment,
wanting to get to Stage 4,

just give himself a chance
to climb for $1 million.

Whoa, a little struggle.

Uh-oh, come on.

Got it.

Take it.

Just fighting it.

So close.

Ooh, I know it's burning.
Come on.

Come on, RJ.
Dig deep.

Come on.
Come on.

Come on.

Nothing you can't handle.

And those forearms,
you could see anything left,

this is going to be
a big jarring move.

Hold tight.

OK, he's going
to reach out, get wider.

Come on, RJ.
Yeah.

You see
he screamed through it.

You know it hurts.

Fighting, wants it,

does the grip
have anything left?

And look at him
using that lower body.

Those arms are spent.

Well, Matt, you could tell
he wants it badly.

That scream, that lets
you know he's feeling it,

but he's not
willing to give in.

30 feet
for a shot at $1 million.

Can he gut his way through it?

Pain is temporary,

but the success you get
here will be forever.

Are we gonna see a third
on Stage 4?

Come on, we've never
seen that before.

Two more laches.

Oh, but his grip
is giving out.

Can he hang on?
Come on.

Go for it!
Go for it!

RJ Roman...

Has done it!

And for the first time ever,
we're going to have

three ninjas climbing
on Stage 4--

Ninja history.

Season 14,
history is made.

Let's go.

Let's go!

And look at that moment,
Flip Rodriguez

and RJ Roman embracing.

Well, RJ hit the buzzer,
but nobody does it alone.

Let me tell you,
it wasn't always pretty.

He almost had
a miss on Pipe Dream.

He had to shake out his arms
on Eyeglass Alley,

had to regrip
on Flying Bar,

and then just barely reached
the landing pad,

but RJ Roman found a way.

That was a fight.

I just heard you say,
"That was a fight."

Oh, yeah.

I thought you were done
on Eyeglass Alley.

Where did you find
the strength to survive?

Man, honestly,
my brother Flip right here.

I know if he had
another chance,

he would've done it.

So I felt like
I was his second chance,

and I had to do it.
I couldn't let him down.

Well, I'll tell you, man,
that right there is moving.

You completed Stage 3, man.

You've got to celebrate and
hit that buzzer one more time.

All together.

Well, there it is.

Nobody does it alone.

Community, yes.

And that is "Ninja Warrior"
right there.

What a beautiful moment.

Thank you.

Up next, New Jersey teenager
Josiah Pippel

tries to keep his
buzzer streak alive

on Stage 3.

And later, it's going
to be a history-making night

on Stage 4,
with more ninjas than ever

climbing for $1 million.

It's a season finale like
never before

on "American Ninja Warrior."

It's a night like no other
on "American Ninja Warrior."

We've already had
three athletes

conquer Stage 3,
the most in our history.

They're going to climb
for $1 million in just a bit.

And we've got more talented
ninjas who could join them,

including our next competitor,
16-year-old Josiah Pippel.

He's the youngest
to make it to Stage 3,

and he's having
an amazing year.

He's collected
four buzzers already

this season, seven since he
made his ANW debut last year.

He's got a lot of folks
watching back in New Jersey,

including his mom
and siblings.

He's got his dad and grandma,
along with

some other East Coast ninjas.

Here we go, man!

Here we go.

Pippel's on the bigger side--

6 feet tall.

And a threat
to go all the way.

Ooh.

Ooh, hit that rope,

and it's swinging
a little bit.

There you go.
Stay calm.

Nice.
Yeah.

Nice.

Calm under pressure at 16.

Saw him on "Ninja Junior."

And he has grown up
so much since then.

I was doing something else
at 16.

I got nervous
if a girl looked at me at 16.

I was worried
about the homecoming dance.

I've seen you dance.
I know why.

And Pippel looking
very cool here on Stalactites.

Easy.

Wow.
Great efficiency.

Nice.
Nice.

Here we go on Chop It Up.

It has that 1:00
to 3:00 drop.

Got to watch out for that
rolling log there as he throws

6 feet, 150 pounds into it.

Watch it here.
Ooh.

Whoa.

Ooh, nice, ooh, whoa,
you can see the whiplash.

1:00 to 3:00 rock.
Nice.

Wow.

You see the way
he's attacking this course--

what confidence at 16.

Come on, Josiah.
All right.

Hold on.
All right, nice.

Yes.

Let's go.
Josiah, Josiah.

And you can see,
and there it is.

He just breezed through
the first three obstacles.

What's he going to do
at Ultimate Cliffhanger?

He was 8 years old,
started training in his gym

half his life ago.

Here he is on Stage 3.

Been working on
finger strength.

Taught himself on YouTube
how to play the piano.

Nice.

These young kids
are so impressive.

Yes, they are.

They can teach
themselves whatever.

They can do Ninja.

What can't they do?

Yeah, got it.
Nice.

Now the big move
to the other side.

Let's go, Josiah.
Let's go, Josiah.

Come on.
Ooh, banged back.

Whoa.
Was OK, though.

Good focus there--
not to be thrown off.

You could see
that impact in his back swing.

Didn't phase Pippel.

Stage 3 is not easy.

Going into this season,
only five ninjas

in our history
had finished it,

but these ninjas tonight
are crushing it.

Josiah Pippel just making it
look like a walk in the park,

swinging up
to take on Pipe Dream.

Yeah.

Real smooth.

You got this, Josiah.

6 feet--long reach here--
no problem.

Going onto the single pole.

Nice.

Ooh, watch those feet.

You can see,
a dry, dusty night,

and he's really recalculated.

Looked like he had three
different approaches here.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Try to figure out how to
navigate through Pipe Dream.

Come on, Josiah.

But be careful here.

These final two drop.
Come on, Josiah.

This is the first obstacle
that's given him

even the slightest bit
of trouble.

Tight squeeze--
tight, tight, tight.

Nice.

Did you see how he--
I loved that.

That was a big
homecoming king type of hug.

Yeah.
Whoa.

Well, get off of this one.

This has not been
his obstacle.

But he survives it.
Yes, he did.

What does he have left
here on Eyeglass Alley?

16 years old,
$1 million in his grasp.

Hot out here on
a summer night in Las Vegas,

and this kid is just
cool, calm, and collected.

So important to be efficient
here on the transition,

get up a little bit more.
Nice.

Good job.

And you could just see,
getting onto the ring--

good job, using the leverage,
controlling it.

These ninjas
have really figured out

Eyeglass Alley
in its second season

here on Stage 3.

Yeah, and he has
a bigger body, so he wants

to be efficient through here
so he's not spending

too much time
on Eyeglass Alley.

Come on.
You've got this, Josiah.

All right, here we go.
Come on, dude.

Come on.

You've got the prescription
for success on Eyeglass Alley.

This is unbelievable.

Are we really going to get
another finisher on Stage 3?

Well, Stage 4 is
getting awfully crowded.

Is there room for one more?

Good job, papi.

For a teenager
this close to $1 million,

he looks way too calm.

Well, here we go,
one obstacle

between Josiah Pippel

and a date with destiny.

This is it, Flying Bar.
Fly high, young fellow.

Come on.
Fly high, young fellow!

You got it.

How sweet is it to be 16?

Sweet 16, baby.

And he's our fourth finisher.

The biggest night
in Ninja history

just got bigger.

Four ninjas are going to be
climbing on Stage 4,

and two of them are teenagers.

This teenager was calm
and cool

through the whole course
until he reached the buzzer.

Look at that emotion
because he knows he's now

just 75 feet away
from $1 million.

So we've got
four finishers already

and more ninjas to come,
including Gnarly Nate Hansen.

He's next on the season finale

of "American Ninja Warrior."

Welcome back
to "American Ninja Warrior's"

season finale.

Gnarly Nate. Gnarly Nate.
You can hear the chants

all the way down
the Vegas Strip.

This crowd knows
it's time for the Gnarly One.

And Zuri's gonna
get him started.

Guys, one thing
we've learned this season

is, you should
never underestimate

Gnarly Nate Hansen.

He stands just 5'2" (157cm),
but no one has

come up bigger on the course.

A few years ago,
he was just a fan.

Now, he's a fan favorite.

Growing up,
I watched the show

and I looked up
to all the superstars.

And it's crazy that now
I am that superstar

for a lot of people.

And it's been
really cool to meet kids

around the country
who look up to me

as their inspiration...

There you go. Nice. You got it.

'Cause that's what inspires me
to continue doing

"Ninja Warrior"
every single year.

Ooh!
Ooh, save it.

Nice save.

Because I know that I'm
changing their lives forever.

He's got a big group
in the stands

and big group
on the sidelines.

That's his family on the right

and training partners
Katie Bone

and Austin Gray on the left.

Matt, this crowd loves
Gnarly Nate.

The shortest ever
to take on Stage 3.

This kid has been doubted
for so long in his life.

And look at him, on Stage 3
here in the Finals.

Good job controlling it.

He has worked
so hard for this moment.

But having trouble
with the rope.

Same thing happened to him
on the Power Tower.

5'2" (157cm)--he doesn't have
that reach to reach over.

So now he's gotta
kind of control

and take a swing into it
rather than trying to reach.

Nice.
Staying calm.

And he's through.

But Austin Gray knows

mistakes on these
early obstacles

will catch up to you later
on Stage 3.

Gnarly Nate. Gnarly Nate.

Well, the Gnarly Nation
is fired up.

What a performance he's had.

Gnarly Nate, Gnarly Nate.

Such confidence.

Wears 12
on the back of his shirt.

That's how old he was
when he was diagnosed

with a growth hormone
deficiency.

It changed his life, but he
hasn't let it define him.

Come on, Nate!
Let's go, Nate!

And nice control there
on Stalactites.

Come on, Nate, let's go.

Great job.

Gnarly Nate, Gnarly Nate.

The crowd's hanging
on every move.

On now to Chop It Up.

He's gotta hold on tight.

And remember, it rolls on you.

It's not stable.

And just looking
calm out there.

Ooh, he's gotta be careful
here on this third one.

That one-to-three drop
here for Gnarly Nate.

Got it.
Nice.

Yeah, come on, Nate!

Only 5' 2" (157cm),
not much reach here.

Ultimate Cliffhanger,
really gonna need

to generate a lot of power.

And the key is,
once you get up, get going.

Be efficient.
Yeah, that's right.

Don't mess around.

Nice. Good. Yeah.

Great power
out of Nate Hansen.

Use that body
and the momentum

to power himself up like that.

Rather than trying to reach,
power up.

Well, there he goes.
Long throws.

But now,
as he makes his way,

he's gotta make
this big transfer.

Nice.
Ooh, barely got on.

Yeah.
He's going.

Now the 6-foot transfer.

Throw yourself into it,
Gnarly Nate.

Got it.
Nice.

He is indeed Gnarly.

What an effort
out of Nate Hansen.

And how fitting is it?
He's staring at Pipe Dream.

Stay high.

Don't lose height.

Austin's telling him
to stay high.

It's more efficient.

He'll spend less time
climbing up the poles.

All these obstacles are
a little more difficult

when you're his size.

But he never backs down,
never makes excuses.

Nate Hansen is about
to conquer this obstacle.

This duded is a Ninja star.

He really is a Ninja star.

Oh, nice.
Nice spin.

A little twirly.

Trying to stay high,
like Austin suggested.

Has to go over
to the bigger pipe.

Lock those legs in.
There it is.

Nice. That's all right.

You saw
Cam Baumgartner struggle

with this reach earlier.

Yeah.
Said he couldn't get

that lower body locked in.

You know Nate was watching.

These ninjas learn
from the runs before them.

You might have to jump.

Well, he doesn't
have the reach.

Don't even try.

You gotta just go out
and shoot off of it

and grab that pipe.

Having trouble
getting traction.

Push.
Well, look at that.

Oh. Oh, excuse me.

Oh!
Oh, no.

Uh-oh.

It's kind of hard, Matt,
because he doesn't have

the grip strength to hold
himself on the front end of it

as he's trying to reach.

I think the best move here

is to make a flying grab.

Gonna make it dynamic.

Oh, oh, oh.

You can see,
he's peeling off.

Oh, no.
Oh, this is trouble.

This is trouble.
He's sliding down the pipe.

But no quit in Nate Hansen.

He's going--
Can he find a way?

He's going back and forth
on the pipe.

He's gotta hurry up
and get off

before he does
an early release.

Gnarly Nate. Gnarly Nate.

May just have to launch it.
Here we go.

Nice. Yes!
Whoa! Whoa!

Hang on, Nate!

My goodness.
Hang on, buddy!

Oh, man, he was--
Wow!

He was not
going out like that.

But he has spent
a lot of time

fighting to stay alive
on this obstacle.

Needs to get off of it,
but can he reach that bar?

Oh, boy. Oh.

Whoo!
Come on!

Are you kidding me?

Are you not entertained?

I'm entertained, Matt.
I'm entertained.

Well, Nate Hansen
coming up big,

as he has all season long.

Heart rate down.

Austin Gray's run ended here

on Eyeglass Alley last season.

Can Gnarly Nate
get through it tonight?

He's now just two obstacles
away from a buzzer.

Matt, the only one concern
I have is,

how much energy did he waste
fighting there on Pipe Dream?

Well, we saw
those extra moves.

And believe me,
those unexpected moves,

those really shock the system.

Under. Around.

Oh, oh, oh.
Fight it in.

Had to go back.
Regrouping.

Doing a lot of hanging.

Uh-oh.
Oh.

Well, this looks
eerily familiar

to Austin Gray last year.

Yes, got it.
Got it!

Got it.
Way to stay calm under duress.

Oh, my!
How is he still up there?

I have no idea.

This dude has got--

clearly got
grip strength for days.

This is in--

Oh!

No!

And peeled off unexpectedly.

And the amazing run
of Nate Hansen

comes to an end.

Didn't get a buzzer,

but he did not disappoint
his fans.

Nate Hansen had a miss
on Patriot Pass

and spent a lot of time
on Pipe Dream.

And I think it just caught up
to him on Eyeglass Alley,

when he slipped
right off the bar.

But what a year
it's been for him--

defied all the odds,
got four buzzers,

and almost conquered Stage 3.

And this crowd's
letting him know it.

They love Nate Hansen.

Coming up, he was the only one

to finish Stage 3 last year.

Total pandemonium!

But no one's
ever done it twice.

Can 16-year-old
Kaden Lebsack make history?

He's next
on "American Ninja Warrior."

After going farther
than anyone last season,

Kaden Lebsack was rewarded
with a banner

hanging among the ninja greats
this season.

And after hitting
a buzzer in Qualifying,

he had one request.

Can I have my banner?

Of course you can have it.

Let's go!

And a few weeks ago,

we surprised him
with a copy of that banner

for his gym in Colorado.

Big me.

Now Kaden Lebsack's
stepping up to Stage 3 again,

trying to be
the first to finish it

two years in a row.

His parents, as always,
will be on the sideline.

Come on, baby.

Lots of other supporters
on the sideline,

including good friend
Max Feinberg,

who fell on Stage 3 earlier.

He's also got
family and friends

watching around the country,

including another
teen competitor,

Elijah "The Boss" Browning.

You got this, Kaden.

Last season, he was the only
ninja to attempt Stage 4.

Already, four athletes
have punched their ticket.

Can Kaden Lebsack join them?

We've never had
a repeat Stage 4 guy.

Wow.
Yeah!

Kaden Lebsack in such
a short amount of time--

16!
Oh!

16, just making history.

Earned $100,000 last year

and wants to shift
the decimal place.

That's just simple
high school math right there.

Can Kaden Lebsack join
that climb for $1 million?

These fans know
this 16-year-old

is something special.

Let's get it, dude.

Comes in much better
prepared this year

to make that climb on Stage 4.

Said he's trained
relentlessly.

Last year, made the mistake,
didn't use the lower body.

Well, he's got to use
the upper body

here on Chop It Up.

He's gotta throw his body
into it and make that hook.

Geez, you could
see the power there,

giving himself plenty of time

to get those arms
locked around.

Boom!
Well, you can see it.

That's 155 pounds
he's throwing into it.

This obstacle's been
beating up ninjas all night.

Knocked out his buddy
Max Feinberg earlier.

But it's not gonna get
Kaden Lebsack.

His mom's always nervous
on the sideline.

Last season, she was battling
breast cancer

while Kaden was battling
his way to Stage 4.

Now he's trying
to get there again.

Matt, I can't believe
we already have

four ninjas going to Stage 4.

And Kaden could be the fifth.

This is crazy!

It is a loaded field.

And what a climb-off
it is gonna be.

Just flying through
Ultimate Cliffhanger.

Look at the progress
out of Kaden Lebsack.

Breathe. Come on, Kaden.
Yep, yep.

Look how far
he's gotta traverse

on this Ultimate Cliffhanger.

And anything can happen.

It's so easy
to make a mistake.

And Stage 3 is
unforgiving if you do.

Well, Matt, you're right.
Anything can happen.

But the only thing that's
gonna happen for Kaden Lebsack

is a buzzer.

I'm fully confident of that.

Three more obstacles to go,

starting with Pipe Dream.

Well, he's gotta be confident
because he has faced

all three of these obstacles

and conquered them all.

Nice.

Just breathe, Kaden!

Just breathe.
Nice, Kaden.

Well, again, in two seasons,
he has been perfect.

Hasn't failed an obstacle.

Only ran out of time
last year on that climb.

Yeah, he's been dialed in.

Kaden Lebsack,
he knows what's up.

Well, he is flying
through this course.

He's gonna have the fastest
time here on Stage 3.

Well, Jay "Lache" has
that mark right now.

And whoever has
the fastest time on Stage 3

gets to climb last on Stage 4.

And that could be
an advantage.

You're killing it, Kaden!

We'll run Stage 4
in reverse order.

And that milly
could come down

to who climbs the fastest.

Kaden Lebsack still looks
so calm on these obstacles.

He knows
how to get through them.

Just has to execute the way
he's done all season long.

The pivoting hooks
right there,

that can make it
a little challenging.

But he got it.

Let's go! Get over there!

All right.

This is the big move.

This is where
we saw Nate peel off.

Come on, Kaden.

Just watch him
throw himself up high.

Nice.

Well, he is just destroying
Stage 3 once again.

Let's go!
Yes! Yes!

Let's go!
One more.

He could be
the first athlete ever

to take on Stage 4 twice.

That's not luck.

That's hard work
and preparation.

Come on, bro.

Oh, this is it.
It all comes down to this.

Kaden Lebsack--
watch that bar.

Nice.
Got it.

Are you kidding me, Akbar?

He's not rushing.

He sees it.

He knows it.

Now he's smiling.

The fastest time
of the night.

The first time in history
a ninja will take on Stage 4

for the second time.

He doesn't need a prom.

He doesn't need a homecoming.

All he needs
is "Ninja Warrior."

Super K showed
he's only gotten stronger

since his rookie year.

He just beat Stage 3
a minute and a half faster

than he did last season.

And just like on Stage 2,
he cracked a smile

on his final move
before the buzzer.

Kaden,
you've just made history.

You made it back-to-back
to Stage 4.

Congratulations.

Hey, Brandi,
I gotta ask you,

what's it like
having your son out here

living out his dreams?

It's unbelievable.

It's what every parent
I know here wants.

And it's just amazing to watch.

Well, we can't wait
to watch him climb

for $1 million on Stage 4.

Hit that buzzer
one more time, Kaden.

And what a finish
it's gonna be.

The Final Five,
the history-making group

of five talented athletes,
are gonna climb

Stage 4 for $1 million

next on the season finale
of "American Ninja Warrior."

Welcome back to Las Vegas
and our season finale,

where it's already been
a history-making night.

For the first time ever,

five ninjas have reached
Stage 4.

Now, before tonight,
we've had five ninjas total

get here in 13 seasons.

It's unbelievable.

And now all five
of these competitors

have a chance
to win $1 million.

That's life-changing money.

Well,
no matter what happens,

just climbing Stage 4
is what every ninja dreams of.

Last season,
Kaden Lebsack became

the youngest ever to attempt
the 75-foot Rope Climb.

And he's up.

But using only his arms,

he burned out early
and came up short.

The 15-year-old's motor
has found its limit.

All of tonight's contenders
have been working

on their rope-climbing
technique,

training wherever
and whenever they can.

I go to the 60-foot-rope
we have here in Orlando.

With 60 feet, I've gotten it
in just under 15 seconds.

We have what's called
an infinity rope.

What it is,
is it's a 100-foot rope

that you feed
through a system,

and you can
just keep climbing.

I've been learning a J hook.

It's a technique
that gets your feet

a little bit more involved.

It's you versus the rope,
but most importantly

you verse everybody else
on the rope.

To win the show,
you have to be the fastest.

Getting up 75 feet of rope
will be a pure test

of strength, speed,
and determination.

And I think my skills
as a speed climber

will definitely help me
take on Stage 4.

Josh Levin, you're up first.

His parents and friends,
some of them from Harvard,

will be watching.

Keep in mind, if more than
one ninja beats the climb,

it comes down
to whoever does it fastest.

So speed is so crucial.

30 seconds on the clock,
75 feet away.

Josh, Josh, Josh.

Yes, let's go!

Josh Levin, the first
to make the Stage 4 climb.

Godspeed, Josh Levin.

Here we go.
And Josh Levin is up.

Yes, he is.
And Levin is levitating up.

And here we go.

And he's got
those ankles taped,

but the legs don't seem
to be locking in, big man.

Matt, he's gotta go.

It's temporary pain
for some long-lasting money.

And he's about
halfway up there

and halfway down on his time.

Oh, my goodness,
he's gotta keep going.

And Josh Levin,
the speed climber--

He's at 60 feet.

He's coming up just short.

And that is shocking.
Oh, wow.

Oh, wow.

Disappointment
for Josh Levin,

but he still wants to get
to the top and hit the buzzer.

If no one finishes
in under 30 seconds,

then whoever had
the fastest time

becomes
the Last Ninja Standing

and wins the $100,000.

Josh, Josh, Josh.

World-class climber
had high hopes,

but just ran out of gas
about halfway up,

fighting all the way
to the top.

But you can see
the disappointment

as Josh Levin finally hits
that buzzer.

With that climber's grip,
he got off to a fast start.

But when you're climbing
up 75 feet,

you gotta use your legs too.

Josh never got into a rhythm
with his lower body.

So no $1 million,
but he's still got a shot

at 100 grand.

Josh, man,
you put up a fight.

So close.
What was it like up there?

It was
such a cool experience.

Climbing Stage 4, Midoriyama,

is what every ninja,
including myself,

has dreamed of
since the very beginning.

But the cool thing
about "Ninja Warrior"

is that it's not
about one ninja.

It's about all of us together
versus the course.

Yeah.
And tonight we still have

more chances to see
total victory.

I'm really looking forward
to seeing

all my friends out here,
the Final Five,

getting to the top
of that tower.

As Josh said,
we've got four more to go.

Next up, our rocker, RJ Roman.

The heavy-metal musician
from Orlando

has his Florida crew
on the rail,

including training partner
Flip Rodriguez.

Throwing up the horns.
He's ready.

What a year he's had.

Already won 10 grand

on the Mega Wall
back in Qualifying.

He could earn
100 times that much tonight.

He's got his game face on.

5'6" (168cm), 145 pounds (65kg).

Here we go.

You get one moment like this,

you have to seize
the opportunity.

Oh, boy.
And just trying to lock

those feet in,
trying to be explosive.

30 seconds can either feel
like a lifetime

or is gonna be lightning fast.

More than halfway, and he's
got about 15 seconds left.

He's gotta keep going.

Keep going.

I don't know.

Oh, no.
Oh, boy.

And the time is running out
on RJ as well.

The 30 seconds runs out,
but...

he can still finish
faster than Josh Levin.

If no one beats
the 30-second clock tonight,

he could still win
the $100,000.

Finishes at 44 seconds,
better than Josh Levin,

but still a disappointment.

Good job, RJ!

Still such an accomplishment
to make it to Stage 4.

And he's not
out of the running

to be the Last Ninja Standing.

We love you, RJ.

And there it is,
still rocking.

What a start for RJ.

Just 11 seconds in,
he was already halfway up.

But like Josh Levin,
he started to feel it

around the 60-foot mark,
where he slowed down

and couldn't get to the top
in time.

Well, another great effort,
but the $1 million

is still safe, for now.

Yeah.
Three more ninjas to go.

Next up, Josiah Pippel.

The New Jersey teenager
has his dad

and grandma on the sideline.

And watching from back home,
his mom, siblings,

and other friends.

Pippel's also had
an amazing year.

He's got five buzzers overall.

Well, at 6 feet tall, Matt,
the one advantage he has,

he's got a long reach.

That might come
into play here.

And look at that face.

We saw his intensity
on Stage 2,

but this is
another level right here.

Here we go, third ninja

trying to get that $1 million.

Life-changing money.
Go for it.

Everything you've got,
put it into it.

And a great job using
the lower body.

Really rocking.

Matt, he's got a great pace
going right now.

Josiah Pippel--
but it ain't how you start.

Can he finish it?

Yeah, you've gotta
have the energy,

the strength endurance,
the speed endurance.

Come on. Oh, my.

Oh, boy,
he might have a shot, Matt.

He might have a shot.

And Pippel...

so close.

Oh, my goodness, gotta be
within just a few feet.

Keep going.
He's gotta keep going.

But the best effort
we've seen of the night.

16-year-old Josiah Pippel...

Finishes in 37 seconds
and change.

Gave it everything he had.

What an effort.

Josiah Pippel,
the fastest climb

we've seen thus far.

And, Matt, he put
everything into it.

The crowd salutes.

And still
quite an accomplishment

for this 16-year-old
to climb Stage 4.

And that effort may have
just earned him 100 grand.

So now,
only two ninjas are left,

Jay Lewis and Kaden Lebsack.

It's gonna come down
to the wire on Stage 4,

on the season finale
of "American Ninja Warrior."

Welcome back
to the season finale

of "American Ninja Warrior."

We're on Stage 4,
climbing for $1 million.

Up next is 18-year-old
Jay "Lache" Lewis.

He's got lots of supporters
here tonight,

including his parents.

Training partner Joe Moravsky

watching from back
in Connecticut.

5'4" (162cm), 115 (52kg).

he's the smallest athlete
here.

Matt, he's got the ideal
strength-to-weight ratio.

It's a great opportunity
for Jay Lewis

to get $1 million.

Walking onto campus
next year as a millionaire

would definitely be
incredible.

And it would be a very good
start to my college career.

Here we go.

He's at least
30 pounds lighter

than every other competitor.

Will that be a factor?

Oh, boy, Matt,
he's going fast.

Look up, climb up,
and never give up.

Well, locking those feet,
and great job

using the lower body.

Oh, boy, Matt,
he's got a real chance.

Oh, boy.
Keep going.

You talk about
the strength-to-weight ratio--

he can make it happen.

It's gonna be close.

Oh, boy,
he's getting so close.

Make it happen, Cap'n.

Oh, no, right there!

Oh, no.

But now still racing

to beat Josiah Pippel
for fastest time.

And it's gonna be close.

Oh, my goodness.

Beats Pippel
by less than a second.

So he could still win
100 grand

as the Last Ninja Standing,

a little consolation.

And the trend continues.

They keep getting faster,

but still not fast enough
for the $1 million.

Check out the different
techniques we're seeing.

Josiah Pippel used
a hook method

to wrap his foot
around the rope.

But Jay is straight up
pinching the rope

between his feet.

And it was working.

He was 2/3 of the way up
in only 13 seconds.

But he hit the wall
on those last 10 feet,

and look at the reaction
as the time ran out.

Jay, you were
absolutely flying up that rope.

I mean, so ahead of the pace

for the first 50 feet
of that climb.

Walk me through it.
How were you feeling?

I felt really good
through the first 50 feet.

And I felt really strong
through my arms.

And then I got very tired.

I really felt in the last
probably 10 or so feet--

that buzzer felt
a lot farther than 10 feet.

Look, I've got
some good news for now.

You're the fastest ninja
of the night.

One more runner, of course,
but $100,000 on the line.

We'll see, OK?

Thank you so much.
I can't believe it.

So now there's
only one athlete left

with a shot at the $1 million.

It's 16-year-old
Kaden Lebsack.

And he's the first athlete
in history

to get a second chance
to conquer Mount Midoriyama.

Not a lot of people get
that type of opportunity.

I'm gonna make sure
what happened last year

doesn't happen again.

I've been training hard
the past year,

and I think I'm ready for it.

He will have to be Super K
to get that $1 million.

You got it.
Kaden, Kaden, Kaden.

And he's up.

And, Matt, he's already
off to a blazing start.

Watch the lower body.

That's what betrayed him
last year.

And he's changing
his technique.

It's great technique.

It's like
he's climbing up a wall.

Unbelievable.
Does he have enough?

Matt, will he get
the million?

Oh, it's gonna be close.
Oh, my.

Oh, my gosh,
he's getting there.

And Kaden
running out of steam

for the second year in a row.

Oh.

But he could still get
the fastest time.

He's gotta keep pushing.

It's gonna be close.

And he does it,

by 4/10 of a second!

Kaden Lebsack is
the Last Ninja Standing

for the second year in a row.

Doesn't get the $1 million,
but 100 grand is

pretty good for a 16-year-old.

Kaden definitely got
his legs more involved.

At one point, it looked like
he was running up that rope.

But like the others,
the arms just wore out

as he got near the top.

And he didn't beat
the 30 seconds,

but he did have
the fastest time

by less than a second.

Kaden Lebsack,
congratulations.

You're the Last Ninja
Standing, buddy.

That wraps up
an incredible season 14.

For Akbar Gbajabiamila
and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman.

We'll see you next year
on "American Ninja Warrior."