Wilmington travel agent puts Ryan Seacrest in headlock on way to big 'Wheel of Fortune' win
Ryan Cormier- Travel agent Bill Page, a former pro wrestler, appeared on "Wheel of Fortune" and won over $31,000 in cash and prizes.
- Page showed off his wrestling moves on host Ryan Seacrest, messing up his hair in the process.
- Page's wife and six grandchildren were featured on the show, with his grandchildren's faces printed on his shirt.
- Page had to keep his big win a secret for two months until the episode aired.
It's not often that you see sleek television presenter Ryan Seacrest with tousled hair.
But there he was this week, shown on the set of "Wheel of Fortune" with his messed mop and it was all due to Wilmington area travel agent Bill Page.
Early in the classic game show's Monday night episode, Seacrest asked Page about his past life as a pro wrestler with the Newark-based East Coast Wrestling Association.
Page was known as "Big Bill Page" back in his college years, wrestling at spots such as the Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Club in Wilmington.
After Seacrest asked Page if he remembered any of his old wrestling moves, the "American Idol" host had another question: "Would you like to show me one?"
"Come on over," responded Page, 62.
Soon he was flashing back to his glory days in the ring, sticking his tongue out as he slapped the much smaller Seacrest in a headlock with the host comically tapping out as he dropped toward the ground.
Seacrest's normally coiffed hair was the only casualty of the match-up. When the next category was revealed to be "Pet Peeve," Seacrest quipped, "My pet peeve is messing up my hair."
How Bill Page won more than $31,000
For the audience, Page's wrestling move was most likely the most memorable moment of the show. But for Page, it was winning more than $31,000 in cash and prizes as the episode's champion.
Wearing a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt with the faces of his six grandchildren – all of whom got an individual shout-out when Page chatted with Seacrest – Page's winning streak started when he won the first-round puzzle in the category "Same Name," correctly answering, "Mating and prank call."
It made him $3,150 richer. And then luck struck.
In the next round, the wheel stopped on the mystery wedge, which was revealed to be worth $10,000 and not the other possible option: bankruptcy. Soon after, Page solved the "Life's a Beach" crossword puzzle with the words sharks, surf, reef and swim.
Page added to his then-$13,450 prize by solving the next puzzle in the category of "Thing" with the answer "double rainbow." For that win, the Milltown-based All Aboard Cruises & Travel travel agent earned a Sint Maarten vacation worth $9,500.
Page also won the final round's "What Are You Doing?" puzzle with the answer, "Breathing a sigh of relief," adding another $3,000, bringing his grand total of cash and prize winnings to $31,600.
But he failed in the final bonus round, running out of time to come up with the answer of "pair of white gloves," which would have earned him a new Ford Bronco.
The 'Wheel of Fortune' experience
Page said he began the process to be a contestant on the show about 1½ years ago when he sent an audition video to the show's production company.
He was interviewed several times by producers and participated in a video call to play toss-up games before he finally got another call just before Christmas: He was in.
After more than four decades of watching the show, starting alongside his late grandmother, he was going to be a "Wheel of Fortune" contestant.
A month later, he was flying to Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, for the taping.
While Page's grandchildren got some TV face time thanks to Page's unique shirt – producers told him his shirt may start a trend – his wife, Lee, also appeared on camera, calling her husband "Big Bill." They will celebrate their 35th anniversary later this spring.
With the episode filmed Thursday, Jan. 30, and airing Monday, March 24, it meant he had a big secret to keep for nearly two months. When close friends asked if he won, all he could say was, "It will be an episode you won't forget."
He had to wait until the episode aired to submit his requested dates for his vacation – emailing show officials on Tuesday, asking for time in September. His cash prize won't come for about four months from now.
As the show ended and credits rolled, "Wheel of Fortune" co-host Vanna White told Seacrest she wanted to get a shirt with Seacrest's face on it.
"Like this?" said the unmarried Seacrest, 50, pointing to Page. "I need grandkids. ... I need to get busy with life."
Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).