‘Squid Game: The Challenge’: TJ Stukes (Player 182) Suffers Shock Elimination In Episode 7

It’s so hard to say goodbye! Squid Game: The Challenge contestant TJ Stukes — Player 182 — has a shocking elimination during the tricky Glass Bridge challenge in the latest drop of episodes.

Inspired by the Netflix hit series, the reality show follows 456 contestants as they compete in an array of challenges to win a $4.56 million cash prize.

By the start of Episode 7 –titled “Friend and Foe” — only 20 of the contestants remain in the competition, including TJ, who previously worked as a professional athlete and starred in the reality shows Nike Battlegrounds and The Cube.

For this competition, the contestants are assigned an order to play the game, which consists of each player crossing a bridge that features two sets of tiles, one of which is faulty and will subject the contestant to a steep fall and elimination.

In a stroke of bad luck, TJ is chosen to go first.

But TJ isn’t stressed, by the time his turn arrives, the players decide to brave the challenge as a team and let fate decide who goes home.

Doing so means that each player will only take one risky step, in the order of their assigned number, with the earlier numbers advancing once the tiles are proven safe, ensuring they will cross in the proper order.

In the end, the plan doesn’t work as one of the contestants, Ashley (Player 278), refuses to take her assigned turn after claiming that she never agreed to work as a team.

Before the drama, TJ is prompted to make the first move. He talks himself up, saying in a voiceover segment, “I only have to guess correctly once. That’s it, just once. Then someone takes the reins, someone else takes the risk.”

The other contestants cheer him on while he debates on which tile to step on, and the timer starts ticking. “I know I can do this. Be confident in yourself and everyone will feel the same energy,” TJ says. “My heart is in the right place, my mind is balanced. I know I can do this.”

TJ does a few stretches before making his move, and despite his moving monologue, he lands on a faulty tile and falls to his elimination.

TJ’s elimination was hard-hitting as moments before the challenge, he had a heart-to-heart with another contestant, Mai, who voiced that she was distrusting of his leadership skills. Rather than getting upset, TJ helps Mai advance to the next round. “I owe you my undying loyalty,” Mai tells TJ during their conversation. “You have shown me that actions are more powerful than words.”

Later, when contestants are assigned their order for the bridge challenge, TJ is chosen to go first and is given the chance to choose which contestant will go last, and he gives the opportunity to Mai. How sweet!

We’re sad to see you go, TJ!

Squid Game: The Challenge is currently streaming on Netflix.