Eddie Hall, Tom Stoltman and Luke Stoltman walk into a restaurant called Man vs Food. It’s like the start of a bad joke. And I’m sure they’d agree after attempting this challenge.
Strongmen can carry fridges, lift cars and pull planes, so you’d think a few hot wings would be a walk in the park. But you’d be surprised.
At Eddie’s insistence, the three strongmen decided to attempt the “Fire In The Hole” challenge. Before this, the Stoltmans had been known as the “spicy brothers”. Will they be able to retain this nickname or will they be forced to retire it in shame?
The rules
The rules are simple. You get a plate of four chicken wings coated in naga ghost chilli sauce. There's no time limit to finish the wings, but you cannot stop during the challenge. You can’t leave your seat, wipe your mouth or have a drink, and no meat can be left on the bone. If you somehow manage all this, you must then wait for four minutes with only your pain for company.
Tom knew what was in store: “this is going to be hell, hell, hell.”
The challenge
The challenge began with plenty of theatrics. Waiters in gas masks and body armour served the toxic wings to the sound of air raid sirens.
The participants would also need to wear gloves to pick up the wings, which should’ve been their first sign to knock the challenge on the head. But alas, they proceeded with their foolishness. A mere sniff of the wings sent Eddie into a fit of coughs, despite his claim he’d had “coco pops spicier than this”.
For Tom, it was over before it began. One bite and he was out. Not far behind was Luke. He managed half a wing before admitting defeat. But at what cost? His dignity dribbling away like the saliva down his chin.
Yet Eddie continued. Turned mad in his futile pursuit, he chomped down wing after wing until he realised his mistake. Tongue swollen and mouth aflame, he too was felled by the challenge.
The scenes at the table were pure chaos. Tom had his head buried in a paper bag, Luke had ice cubes lodged inside his mouth, and Eddie had his tongue under a tap like a desperate dog.
The table was full of cups and milk and ice. But nothing could touch the pain. “This is the worst day of my life”, mumbled Tom.
Take home message
The guys may be strong, but they can’t handle the heat. Eddie was soon eating his words and the “spicy brothers” are going to need a rebrand. Eddie’s thinking “the rice pudding brothers”. But I think even this would be too spicy for them.
