American Ninja Warrior 6's Cannonball Alley in Venice Beach
The Cannonball Alley was an obstacle, firstly introduced as the eighth obstacle during Venice Beach finals on American Ninja Warrior 6.
Competitors must across three different sized balls with their hands. The balls were increasing in size on a slight decline, swinging back and forth from two secured lines.
This obstacle proved to be brutal, as the first 14 competitors attempted the obstacle with different strategies, but none were successful, gaining a 100% failure rate for most of the night.
It was finally conquered by Kevin Bull, who wrapped his legs around the third ball and swung upside down towards the landing mat, eventually becoming the first finisher of the night.
In total, 16 out of 20 competitors who made it there failed, including top competitors such as:
The only other three competitors who could complete this obstacle were:
- Dustin Rocho,
- James McGrath, and
- David Campbell (who was the last runner and managed to become the second finisher).
The Cannonball Alley made a return on American Ninja Warrior 7 during Orlando finals, with a similar specification from Venice Beach finals, except the landing platform was placed higher, which made it almost impossible to complete the obstacle with Kevin Bull's technique.
Just like in the previous season, it had been the ninja killer of the majority of the competitors, eliminating veterans like:
- Jo Jo Bynum and
- JJ Woods.
However, 7 out of 18 competitors could complete the obstacle, including:
- Flip Rodriguez,
- Travis Rosen,
- Drew Drechsel, and
- James McGrath (who also completed this obstacle during American Ninja Warrior 6's Venice Beach finals).
Cannonball Incline
Cannonball Incline in Stage Three during American Ninja Warrior: USA vs. The World
On American Ninja Warrior 6's Las Vegas finals, a modified version of Cannonball Alley (named as the Cannonball Incline) appeared as the first obstacle in Stage Three, replacing the Roulette Cylinder.
Unlike the Cannonball Alley:
- The balls were ascending, with the largest ball in the middle, and
- It is only secured by one chain. This left the smaller sized balls to swing in any direction.
It eliminated no one out of the two competitors who attempted it (both Joe Moravsky and Elet Hall could get pass it). However, on USA vs. The World, the balls were enlarged to the same size as the Cannonball Alley. As the result, it ensnared Paul Kasemir and Asa Kazuma. No one else failed it, since they either maintained grip and momentum, or skipped the middle ball altogether.
It was replaced by the Psycho Chainsaw on American Ninja Warrior 7.