Angelo Cataldi wraps up Wing Bowl 16

Angelo Cataldi’s blog has a wrap up of Wing Bowl 16 which closes with the possibility of excluding “pros” from Wing Bowl 17:

We all acknowledge that it would be awesome for a local contestant to win Wing Bowl, but we are carefully governed by the FCC when it comes to all on-air contests. Wing Bowl is open to all contestants, everywhere. With the quality of prizes offered, there’s not much chance that the guys who are best at competitive eating are going to stay away from it.

How can we stop the trend? Well, the best way is to develop another local eater like El Wingador or Heavy Kevvy. So far we haven’t been able to do that, though US Male and Gentleman Gerry have placed in the top five the past two years. Our other possibility is to rewrite the rules to exclude the pros. Do we want to do this for Wing Bowl 17? I’m not sure yet. My first impression is, it’s a step down for Wing Bowl as soon as we eliminate the best eaters available.

AICE would probably dispute the claim that “Wing Bowl is open to all contestants, everywhere”.

Comments (22)

22 Comments »

  1. Rhonda Evans said

    February 5, 2008 @ 7:56 am

    It certainly would be an elevator ride down a score of skyscraper floors for Wing Bowl to exclude out of towners (“pros”), which would make the winner of a local-only WB a paper champion … a nonlegitimate winner.

    I, for one, also think it’s most deplorable to exclude AICE-affiliated eaters. But they do that because of IFOCE influence, which means it’s about money and prestige–which seems to be waning as we “speak.” If WB ever becomes nonprofitable to invite the pros, that tactic will surely stop.

    Money rules this world. That’s sad, but that’s reality, with very few exceptions.

  2. Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)

    February 5, 2008 @ 11:27 am

    well, that would really simplify things for me.

  3. anonymous said

    February 5, 2008 @ 5:24 pm

    Rich & George Shea (OJ Rifkin):

    Nice attempt to get Arnie Chapman pissed off. It was you clowns who pressured Angelo not to let AICE eaters in the Wing Bowl. Now you are hiding behind the truth in order to sit back and laugh as Chapman post angy comments. You guys are despicable and show no loyalty to anybody but your greedy pockets. It’s amazing that the morons who you have under contract have not figured out who you guys are. Those that have figured it out are even more pathetic because they know and don’t care. Even though WIP took a $4,000 hit by the FCC you still sit back and try and spin the truth and have a good laugh…..The sick people who make up your organization deserve each other

  4. joey b said

    February 5, 2008 @ 6:02 pm

    I am going to drop Angelo a line, not that he will give a shit, and let him know his statement about allowing everyone is false.

  5. Dr. Bigtime said

    February 6, 2008 @ 9:40 pm

    Um, yeah. I was sitting next to Dave the Dumpster. I did not go apeshit. That’s all I’ll say about that. Wouldn’t say it’s standard practice for the IFOCE, though. Was not being judged by IFOCE judges.

    Bottom line is that I had a great time, spectacular experience, the crowd went wild when my little entourage with no float threw $1000 into the crowd, and I got to see Joey and Patrick stomp Wingador’s ass. It is what it is.

  6. US MALE said

    February 7, 2008 @ 6:33 am

    I was extremely pissed off to after the first round because my number was screwed up and they told me to leave the stage. After throwing some F-bombs, the judge realized he screwed up me & Gentleman Jerry and then gave some BS number for us to be added to the second round eaters. I ate 110, not 81 in the first round. I was so pissed, it threw me off my game the remainder of the competition. Big Brian got screwed too. I am considering not doing wing bowl because of this serious BS that happened. More judges were brought in this year to make sure numbers were as acurate as possible. Obviously they need to give these guys math tests!

    You were awesome Dr Bigtime.

  7. Philly Tut said

    February 7, 2008 @ 10:16 am

    I put up something weak like 84 in the first round and was told I got credit for 72 which would have put me into the second round but didn’t. Disappointing, as a table ender, but expected with a contest that is not weighed.

  8. Dorothy from NJ said

    February 7, 2008 @ 12:29 pm

    US MAIL,
    You and the Jerry Garcia look alike obviously got a free pass when, WIP realized there we no locals up on stage for the second round. You and Jerry Garcia should shut up and take your free pass. After all it is your second present from the WIP crew in two years.

  9. Wild Bill said (Registered September 19, 2006)

    February 7, 2008 @ 1:09 pm

    Dorothy,

    It’s obvious that you weren’t there AND you weren’t paying attention; over half of the competitors that made it to the second round were locals:

    10 70 wings Dave the Dumpster (local)
    9 71 Dr. Digestion (local)
    7T 74 Caveman (local)
    7T 74 Gabe Cocktail (local)
    6 76 The Unknown Eater (local)
    5 80 Wing Kong (local with IFOCE affiliation)
    4 104 Pat Bertoletti
    3 107 El Wingador (local)
    2 112 Brad Sciullo
    1 124 Joey Chestnut

    And then, Gentleman Jerry and Dave Goldstein were added, two more locals, one with IFOCE affiliation. There’s no point bitching about bad judging, not weighing, whatever, because Morganti and Cataldi will continue to run things as they like – it’s a SHOW, people, disguised as an eating competition. It is fun to be there, though.

  10. Jeff Olson said

    February 7, 2008 @ 9:25 pm

    Just watch the event, US Male and jerry were eating wings like crazy, as was humble bob, Big brian and dr big time. All those guys were screwed in my opinion. i did 3 plates and clean the shit out of them, really over cleaned them,and only got credit for 34 wings. how do i only get credit for half my wings? It was an awsome time and cant complain becuase i would not have made it to the second round anyway, but some pro eaters def. got screwed.

  11. Dr. Bigtime said

    February 7, 2008 @ 9:51 pm

    Thanks, US Male. I know it’s a show, and that’s all that really matters. I bet a million dollars if you ask the 20,000 people there if they remember one of the local guys who made it to round 2, or Dr. Bigtime, the vast majority would say Dr. Bigtime.

    It was great to meet you. Will see you at the table.

  12. Anonymous said

    February 7, 2008 @ 10:38 pm

    Jesus, dude. Keep yourself in perspective.

  13. Carey said

    February 7, 2008 @ 11:05 pm

    The only thing I remember was that white guy outside of Chickie’s and Pete’s the night before rapping with his friends.

  14. Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)

    February 7, 2008 @ 11:32 pm

    Carey,
    Were you at the weigh-in?
    did I stink or something?

  15. US MALE said

    February 8, 2008 @ 6:34 am

    Dorothy from NJ, you are a complete idiot. Pay attention because as Bill said, most of the top 10 (12) we locals. Judges realized they screwed up and that is why we were added. Unfortunately they screwed Juris and Big Brian as well and did not correct themselves. I am NJ too and will gladly go one on one with your fat ass anytime

  16. Carey said

    February 8, 2008 @ 8:32 am

    No, I didn’t make it to the weigh in, I had school in the evening. I would have said hello.

  17. Rhonda Evans said

    February 8, 2008 @ 10:49 am

    Dorothy must have been tapping more than her slippers to make a statement like that.

  18. US MALE said

    February 8, 2008 @ 9:34 pm

    Dr Bigtime, I asked about 10-12 people who attended Wing Bowl if they remember Dr Bigtime and most responded, “Is he the one who immediately quit in the second round.” Sorry dude, I respect you but you did not stick in their minds. One did remember you as the guy with the huge guns so I will give you that (although he could have been talking about Steakbellie)/

  19. Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)

    February 9, 2008 @ 12:25 am

    Guys,
    Just so you know
    I ONLY wear the kilt so me and Dr Bigtime wont be mistaken for each other.

  20. joey b said

    February 9, 2008 @ 1:42 am

    Thats some bull shit, Dr. Bigtime showed well in his last two events….one televised. Let’s not forget that he is close to WWF in his marketability.

  21. Dr. Bigtime said

    February 9, 2008 @ 7:22 pm

    You’re probably right, US Male. As long as people remembered that there was one guy that was all jacked up, that’s fine with me. The probably didn’t remember my name. Just the gunz. >)

  22. anonymous said

    February 10, 2008 @ 10:35 am

    joey b
    He’s close to the World Wildlife Fund? Wow, that’s huge!!

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