America's Got Talent Extreme viewers were treated to a gripping season premiere last night (Feb. 21), and they were thrilled by Aaron Wheelz's (aka Aaron Fotheringham) death-defying stunt at the end of the episode.
The 29-year-old wheelchair motocross athlete impressed everyone with his grit and determination during the episode.
Growing up with Spina Bifida, he was an extreme sports fan who became inspired by athletes like America's Got Talent Extreme judge Travis Pastrana. As he explained, one day he just decided to try dropping into the skatepark whilst in his wheelchair, and he's been adapting and performing stunts and tricks from other extreme sports ever since.
For his audition (which you can watch below), Wheelz was going to race down and jump off a huge ramp, attempting to land a front flip on the way down. Sadly, his first attempt at the trick didn't go his way. Instead of sticking the landing, Wheelz hit the ground on his front. Thankfully, he got right back up and signaled to everyone that he was okay.
He certainly wasn't ready to throw in the towel, either! With the help of two AGT crew members, Wheelz got set up at the top of the huge ramp for another run at his stunt. This time, he executed everything perfectly, soared through the air, and landed the flip as the audience cheered.
All the judges were moved by Wheelz's performance, and when it came time to vote, Nicki Bella said she couldn't wait to see him in the finals and sent him through to the finals of America's Got Talent Extreme with her Golden Buzzer!
Plenty of fans who tuned into the season premiere of America's Got Talent Extreme were just as moved by his determination as the judges were! Lots of viewers headed over to social media to share both how thrilled they were with his success and to say how they felt seeing him not give up on his stunt.
One wrote: "Wheelz was a very inspirational golden buzzer and very much deserved a excellent choice. I hope he wins this, but much talent left", and plenty more sang his praises for being so fearless and closing out the show in style.
@BellaTwins @AGT Wheelz was a very inspirational golden buzzer and very much deserved a excellent choice. I hope he wins this, but much talent left. #AGTExtremeFebruary 22, 2022
Oh my goodness my heart sank when he started going down the ramp. That was terrifying but a huge example of fearlessness and never giving up. Well done Nikki and congratulations WheelzFebruary 22, 2022
I got teary eyed watching them pull together; helped him up the stairs his 2nd go cuz you know he gotta be tired.. dude didn’t give up! What a brave crazy extreme athlete he is ! Way to go , wheelz. #AGTExtreme @wcmx4life @AGT pic.twitter.com/KipKrtyRVMFebruary 22, 2022
What a remarkable man wheelz is #AGTExtremeFebruary 22, 2022
@AGT Jeez, just give the grand prize to #Wheelz! He went down a huge ramp with no railings, wasn’t satisfied with his results, and did it again! Absolutely deserved that #GoldenBuzzer! 👏🏾👏🏾 #AGTExtreme #AGT pic.twitter.com/gD400UGKn5February 22, 2022
That is how you close out an extreme show right there! Well done, Wheelz!!! #AGTExtremeFebruary 22, 2022
America's Got Talent Extreme continues on NBC on Monday, Feb. 28 at 8 pm ET. You can also stream AGT Extreme right now on Peacock.
