The BEST episodes of American Ninja Warrior
Every episode of American Ninja Warrior ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of American Ninja Warrior!
The heart-racing obstacle-course competition of ultra-athletes questing for a shot at the fabled Mt. Midoriyama. This American version of the Japanese show Sasuke (aka Ninja Warrior) televises a series of qualification courses across the nation, with the top contenders going to Las Vegas for the finals on the 4-stage "Mt. Midoriyama" obstacle course. In earlier seasons the show was a proving ground to find (and train) American athletes to send to Japan to compete in the original Sasuke tournaments.
#2 - Dallas Finals
Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/14/2014
The top 30 competitors from the Dallas qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles feature the Salmon Ladder, Swinging Frames, Pole Grasper, and Spider Climb. Favorites include phenomenal female Kacy Catanzaro, along with Sam Sann, Dillon Gates, Tremayne Dortch, and walk-on Abel Gonzalez.
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#3 - Oklahoma City Finals
Season 8 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/1/2016
The top 30 competitors from the Oklahoma City Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Bungee Road, Window Hang, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Daniel Gil, Brent Steffensen, Thomas Stillings, and Jon Stewart, along with the Godfather, David Campbell.
Watch Now:Amazon#4 - Indianapolis Finals
Season 8 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/25/2016
The top 30 competitors from the Indianapolis Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, Hourglass Drop, Circuit Board, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Meagan Martin, Brian Arnold, Ian Dory, Jake Murray, Lorin Ball, and dog-loving Andrew “Roo” Yori.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV#5 - Atlanta Finals
Season 8 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/18/2016
The top 30 competitors from the Atlanta Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Floating Monkey Bars, The Clacker, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Drew Drechsel, James McGrath, Caleb Watson, Travis Rosen, and the “Redneck Ninja” Brent Ruffin.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV#6 - Los Angeles Finals
Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/11/2016
The top 30 competitors from the Los Angeles Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, The Wedge, Helix Hang, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Kevin Bull, Flip Rodriguez, Grant McCartney, and two women – Jessie Graff and Natalie Duran.
Watch Now:Amazon#7 - Oklahoma City Qualifier
Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/20/2016
The fourth qualifying round, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, features multiple fan-favorites. The obstacles include the Floating Steps, Ring Swing, Log Runner, Tire Swing, Bar Hop, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include worship leader Daniel Gil, gym owners Brent Steffensen and Kacy Catanzaro, and rancher Lance Pekus, while FedEx driver Kyle Mendoza and engineer Nate Burkhalter take on the course for the first time.
Watch Now:Amazon#8 - Atlanta Qualifier
Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/8/2016
Turner Field, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is the home of the second qualifying round. The obstacles include the Floating Steps, Big Dipper, Block Run, Spin Cycle, Pipefitter, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include roommates Drew Drechsel and James McGrath, photographer Neil Craver, and boxer JJ Woods, while Alabama’s Casey Suchocki and dairy farmer Caleb Watson take on the course for the first time.
Watch Now:Amazon#9 - Los Angeles Qualifier
Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/1/2016
The eighth season commences at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California on a course featuring the Floating Steps, Tick Tock, Escalator, Ring Jump, I-Beam Cross, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include stock trader Kevin Bull, stuntman Flip Rodriguez, stuntwoman Jessie Graff, and flight attendant Grant McCartney, while app developer Chris Workman and rock climber Josh Levin take on the course for the first time.
Watch Now:Amazon#10 - Vegas Finals (2)
Season 7 - Episode 15 - Aired 9/7/2015
The National Finals continue in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the remaining finalists take on Stage 1. Favorites include Joe Moravsky, Elet Hall, Brent Steffensen, Kacy Catanzaro, Lance Pekus, Meagan Martin, Drew Drechsel, and Jeremiah Morgan, among others. Those that finish move on to Stage 2.
Watch Now:Amazon#11 - Vegas Finals (1)
Season 7 - Episode 14 - Aired 8/31/2015
The National Finals begin at Mount Midoriyama in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the top 90 athletes from the preliminary rounds (plus 10 female wildcards) start to tackle Stage 1. The obstacles include Piston Road, Propeller Bar, Silk Slider, Jumping Spider, Sonic Curve, Warped Wall, Coin Flip, and Triple Swing. Favorites include Flip Rodriguez, Kevin Bull, Jessie Graff, Daniel Gil, Travis Rosen, James McGrath, Dustin McKinney, Ryan Stratis, and David Campbell, among others. Finishers advance to Stage 2.
Watch Now:Amazon#12 - Pittsburgh Finals
Season 7 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/10/2015
The top 30 competitors from the Pittsburgh qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, Floating Monkey Bars, Doorknob Arch, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Joe Moravsky, Elet Hall, Michelle Warnky, Jamie Rahn, Mike Bernardo, and 56-year-old Miles Avery.
Watch Now:Amazon#13 - Orlando Finals
Season 7 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/3/2015
The top 30 competitors from the Orlando qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Cannonball Alley, Double Helix, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Flip Rodriguez, Drew Drechsel, Travis Rosen, James McGrath, Neil Craver, and the speedy Jon Alexis, Jr.
Watch Now:Amazon#14 - Houston Finals
Season 7 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/27/2015
The top 30 competitors from the Houston qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, Walking Bar, Crazy Ciffhanger, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Brent Steffensen, Sam Sann, Daniel Gil, Jon Horton, Tremayne Dortch, and Karsten Williams.
Watch Now:Amazon#15 - Kansas City Finals
Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/20/2015
The top 30 competitors from the Kansas City qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles showcased are the Salmon Ladder, Flying Shelf Grab, Body Prop, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Meagan Martin, Brian Arnold, Lance Pekus, Isaac Caldiero, Noah Kaufman, Ian Dory, and Michael Stanger, bearing an emotional story.
Watch Now:Amazon#16 - Venice Finals
Season 7 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/13/2015
The top 30 competitors from the Venice qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Rumbling Dice, Clear Climb, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Kevin Bull, Jessie Graff, David Campbell, Alan Connealy, Dustin Rocho, and the ailing Jason Tirado.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV#17 - Military Qualifying
Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/6/2015
San Pedro, California's battleship USS Iowa hosts the sixth and final qualifying round in a special all-military episode. The obstacles are the Quintuple Steps, Jump Hang, Log Runner, Monkey Pegs, I-Beam Cross, and Warped Wall. Ninja veterans include former Army vet Ryan Stratis, Navy officer Dustin McKinney, and Coast Guard rescue swimmer Robin Pietschmann, while former Marine Jeremy Prather and 72-year-old Chuck Mammay take on the course for the first time.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV#18 - Pittsburgh Qualifying
Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/29/2015
Carrie Furnace, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the site of the fifth qualifying round, with the course's obstacles being the Quintuple Steps, Log Grip, Snake Crossing, Wind Chimes, Devil Steps, and Warped Wall. Ninja veterans include meteorologist Joe Moravsky, survival guide Elet Hall, gym owner Michelle Warnky, and "Captain NBC" Jamie Rahn, while engineer Mike Meyers and construction worker PJ Granger take on the course for the first time.
Watch Now:Amazon#19 - Venice Qualifying
Season 7 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/25/2015
The seventh season begins in Venice, California with a very difficult course, featuring the Quintuple Steps, Mini Silk Slider, Tilting Table, Spin Cycle, Hourglass Drop, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include stock trader Kevin Bull, stuntwoman Jessie Graff, engineer David Campbell, and actor Rob Moravsky, while Seattle Seahawk Jon Ryan and Alaska's Nick Hanson take on the course for the first time.
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#20 - National Finals in Vegas - Stage 1 (1)
Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/18/2014
The top 90 competitors from the regional competitions face off against Mt. Midoriyama's first stage. The course includes Piston Road, Giant Ring, Silk Slider, Jumping Spider, Half Pipe Attack, Warped Wall, Spinning Bridge, and Final Climb. Favorites include Joe Moravsky, Meagan Martin, Lorin Ball, Isaac Caldiero, Dr. Noah Kaufman, Travis Rosen, and Tremayne Dortch, among others. Those who finish advance to Stage 2.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV#21 - Military Finals
Season 7 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/17/2015
The top 30 competitors from the Military qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Swinging Frames, Globe Grasper, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Ryan Stratis, Dustin McKinney, Robin Pietschmann, and Ahmed Toure, along with "Magic Fingers" Justin Gielski.
Watch Now:Amazon
#22 - St. Louis Finals
Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/21/2014
The top 30 competitors from the St. Louis qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, Rumbling Dice, Crazy Cliffhanger, and Spider Climb. Favorites include Joe Moravsky, Rob Moravsky, Travis Rosen, Elet Hall, brothers Brian and Chris Wilczewski, and top female Michelle Warnky.
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#23 - National Finals in Vegas - Stage 1 (2)
Season 6 - Episode 13 - Aired 9/1/2014
The other group of national finalists take on Stage 1 of Mt. Midoriyama. Favorites include Brian Arnold, Kacy Catanzaro, David Campbell, Jon Stewart, Kevin Bull, Elet Hall, Paul Kasemir, and J.J. Woods, among others. Finishers will advance to Stage 2.
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#24 - Denver Finals
Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/4/2014
The top 30 competitors from the Denver qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, Arm Rings, Doorknob Arch, and Spider Climb. Favorites include Brian Arnold, Meagan Martin, Lance Pekus, Lorin Ball, Isaac Caldiero, and 52-year-old Jon Stewart.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
#25 - Miami Finals
Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/28/2014
The top 30 competitors from the Miami qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles showcased are the Salmon Ladder, Minefield, Floating Stairs, and Spider Climb. Favorites include Drew Drechsel, Idoko Abuh, Ryan Stratis, Luciano Acuna, Jr., and the "Cajun Cowboy" Todd Bourgeois.
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