The first official preview for American Ninja Warrior’s tenth season has been released! While we’re giddy with anticipation for the new episodes, the teaser brought us something we need to talk about right now.

At the end of the video, we have a brief glimpse of the most iconic obstacle in American Ninja Warrior history: The Warped Wall. Except, it’s not looking quite so traditional this year.

We can now officially tell you that there are TWO Warped Walls on each course! And they’re adding a whole new element to the game.

Introducing the Mega Wall.

Let’s break this down. The sixth obstacle on the Qualifying course has always been the Warped Wall. This year, two walls stand right next to one another. The one on the left is the traditional 14’6” Warped Wall. On the right, we have a beast known now as the MEGA WALL that weighs in at a whopping 18’ tall.

Yup. Eighteen feet tall.

The Mega Wall throws in a little twist to the course. If a Ninja reaches the Warped Wall during Qualifiers, they have to make a choice.

Stick to the 14’6” wall, and they still get the three attempts we are used to seeing.

OR

Step up to the Mega Wall. The Ninjas only get ONE shot at making it. If they miss that attempt, they only get ONE shot at the 14’6” wall. They cannot re-attempt the Mega Wall.

However, if the Ninja takes their shot at the Mega Wall and gets it in one try, they walk away with $10,000.

We keep saying “Qualifiers” because the Mega Wall is not in play during the City Finals. If a Ninja is interested in the Mega Wall, they have to pull it off the first time they see it on the Qualifying course.

Exciting, right? But there’s so much going on with this change when you think about it. It’s tossing a challenging mental choice into an already difficult obstacle course.

Getting up 18’ sounds impossible. But it’s not and American Ninja Warrior fans know this. On the All-Stars Skills Challenge specials, we’ve seen both Flip Rodriguez and Jon Alexis Jr. top out at heights beyond that.

However, it is extremely difficult. On the All-Stars specials, the Ninjas have not just run a full course. They’ve warmed up specifically for the Warped Wall and they’ve worked their way up through increasing heights. With the Mega Wall, it’s one and done.

What if a Ninja explodes up the Mega Wall and misses the first grab? Then they might find themselves in the position of having spent the last burst of energy their legs could handle, leaving them unable to complete the 14’6” Wall, which would keep them from hitting the buzzer.

But, there’s $10K on the line. Who wouldn’t get their curiosity piqued when a wad of cash is dangled in front of their face?

It’s a tough choice and a new twist on a classic course moment. We talked to some of the top Ninja Warriors to hear their thoughts on the concept and how they think it will shake up the game. And, most importantly, will they be taking on the Mega Wall?

Joe Moravsky

“So obviously on the show, we have a 14 and a half foot Warped Wall. Up from 14 feet from years ago. So we see this slight increase over the years. But now we have an 18-foot Warped Wall. People are freaking out. Initially, I thought, ‘Wow. That’s no joke. 18 feet is no joke.’

But the good news for me is that years ago I did the Warped Wall skills challenge. So I got up to 18 feet, nine inches. Just missed 19 feet. So I know I can do 18 feet. But, as we know in the Ninja world, and like a lot of things in life, sometimes you can perform when it’s time to perform and sometimes you can’t. So the question is going to be will Joe the Weatherman make it up the 18-foot wall because I’ll tell you right now, if I get there, I’m going for it.”

“So the question is going to be will Joe the Weatherman make it up the 18 foot wall because I’ll tell you right now, if I get there, I’m going for it.” - Joe Moravsky

Daniel Gil

“For season 10 of American Ninja Warrior, bringing in a Mega Wall brings in a whole new thought process for us as competitors. It’s now not only, ‘Okay, who’s going to get the three fastest times of the night?’ Who is going to even attempt this Mega Wall? I think it’s going to separate some of the athletes who can finish a course from the athletes who can not only finish a course but do a much higher wall, after already being gassed from doing five obstacles before that.

We’ll see some breakout stars or some top competitors hit that 18-footer, hit the buzzer, win that 10K, and it will make a huge hit on each episode.

I think I’m going to go for it. I’ve been training a lot on lower body and explosive movements. I’ve wanted to hit the skills challenge Warped Wall the last couple of years. Haven’t had that opportunity. So I think now that they’re allowing anyone to give it a shot, who am I to pass up an opportunity to hit a Mega Warped Wall?

“So I think now that they’re allowing anyone to give it a shot, who am I to pass up an opportunity to hit a Mega Warped Wall?” - Daniel Gil

Drew Drechsel

“My first thought on seeing the Wall was I loved the idea. It’s super cool to add a new element of risk into the course. I think it’s going to deter a lot of people from going for it because then you only get one shot at the 14’6”, and some people need as many tries as they can, or they don’t feel comfortable or confident. Personally, I think I’m going to go for the 18’. I know I’m known for going fast, and yes, the fastest time would be cool, but even if I don’t hit the 18 foot, I feel confident enough to rip right up the 14’6” with no problem.

I guess I kind of have to wait and see how I feel when I get there. But I don’t see it being too much of an issue. But it would depend on the rest of my course. I’m definitely going to go for the 18 footer. I feel confident at 14 and a half. I think it’s a great element. I don’t think many people are going to go for it or get it though. I think maybe we’ll see about a dozen through the whole season that actually go for it and get it. I’m really excited for it. I think it’s amazing.

“I know I’m known for going fast, and yes, the fastest time would be cool, but even if I don’t hit the 18 foot, I feel confident enough to rip right up the 14’6” with no problem.” - Drew Drechsel

Meagan Martin

“I think the Mega Wall is awesome! I think it’s cool to have a new little twist. I think if you’re about 5’8” or taller and the 14’6” wall is chill for you, you should 100% go for the 18 foot. I, on the other hand, probably won’t be doing that because I still have to think about the 14’6” one, but I think it’s awesome. I think it’s so cool that they’re adding something new into the course.

I definitely think, especially if you’re newer to American Ninja Warrior, it will add a different mental component. Deciding what to do and what not to do. I think if you’re a veteran though, if you’re 5’8” or taller, just go for that wall. I think it’s totally doable.

“I definitely think, especially if you’re newer to American Ninja Warrior, it will add a different mental component.” - Meagan Martin

Maggi Thorne

“I’m really excited about the Mega Wall. When I stepped on site for LA and I saw it... There are the screens and this Mega Wall in front of you. It seems so insurmountable. I first thing I could think was, ‘I can’t wait to try this myself.’ I feel like legs have been my strong suit and I would love to get a chance at it, but I’m really going to have to wait and see how I feel after obstacle five and how out of breath I am.

I think it’s something the fans are going to love and be excited about. To see if someone is going to take that chance. And to the ones who at least try and may not make it, I think it’s great that they did take that risk. It’s a huge risk. After that, you only have one shot at the 14’6” Warped Wall. You can’t mess up. That’s it! I think it’s a risky move. But I think it fits with season 10. Go big. It’s new, exciting. Everything is going to be harder and more challenging.

“I think it’s a risky move. But I think it fits with season 10. Go big. It’s new, exciting. Everything is going to be harder and more challenging. “ - Maggi Thorne

Tyler Gillett

“First of all, seeing the Mega Wall in person is incredible. It’s HUGE. I think it’s a really cool way to push our limits. American Ninja Warrior is very good at, when we think we know what’s going on, throwing a surprise into the mix. I think it’s one of those things where people might think they’re going to try it, or might say they’re not going to try it, but I think you’re not going to know until you get to that obstacle.

I think we all want a shot at it, but it’s a risk, you know? You’re risking time. You’re risking fewer chances on a smaller wall. It’s just adding more mentality to the game. I think it’s a lot of fun. I would like to say I want to give it a shot, but we’re going to see what happens when I get there.

“You’re risking time. You’re risking less chances on a smaller wall. It’s just adding more mentality to the game.” - Tyler Gillett

What do you think of the Mega Wall? Do you think the risk is worth the potential reward? It’s the first confirmed change for season 10 of American Ninja Warrior. Personally, we can’t wait to see how the Ninjas adapt to this new challenge!