Fans of the Fourth of July tradition of eating far too many hot dogs than one would think is humanly possible had to wait a little bit longer this year. The 2023 edition of the event found itself in an all-too familiar sports predicament: a lightning delay.
Joey Chesnut, the odds-on favorite to take home his 16th championship, and other competitors had to wait off-stage as rain and thunder ravaged the iconic Coney Island location.
MORE: 52 Major League Eating records that belong to Joey Chestnut
Viewers were absolutely devastated at having to wait to see hot dog buns dunked in various forms of liquid, but at least the jokes online were top-notch.
UPDATE: Because of the inclement weather, the 2023 men’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest was canceled, per ABC7 in New York. However, not long after the reported cancellation, ESPN announced that the contest was back on after a lengthy delay.