A Closer Look At The Wing Bowl

We’ve become somewhat enamored by this whole Wing Bowl biz. In it’s 16th year, we admit that we’ve only just stumbled upon it. But how did this waistline expanding, glutton fiasco begin? Whose been competing? When did they add those hotties known as the “Wingettes?” Has anyone ever died? Who the hell sponsors this sort of shit? These are all questions that must be answered: for you, for us, for the entire world! So waltz with us while we take a closer look at the world of competitive chicken wing eating.

The Founders:

• Wing Bowl was the bright idea of two radio hosts: Al Morganti and Angelo Cataldi. They were into Dennis Leary inspired gluttony so they decided to put on a food eating contest in a hotel room in Downtown Philly. 150 geeks people showed up to the inaugural Wing Bowl in 1993 and contestants have been inhaling chicken wings ever since. Now, the Wing Bowl is held in Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center (The Sixers aren’t supplying the attendance, so this must be the next best thing), but unfortunately for all of us, there isn’t a network broadcasting the event.

You Mean There Are Boobs Involved, Too?

• If you think about it, gawking at fat guys stuffing their faces until they puke isn’t really aesthetically pleasing. But it didn’t take too much brainstorming from founders to realize that they needed to add a little more, um, sexiness to their competition. We’re not sure when it occurred, but scantily dressed women of the finest bosoms were summoned, thrown into the mix and given a name: The Wingettes. Their role:
  

  Wingettes are young women who dress up in lingerie or bikinis while escorting the Wing Bowl contestants to the stage. They then dance and cheerlead the event. Wingette of the Year is also selected at the event and the winner can usually win a car.

  Well you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that half-naked women prancing around for no reason would be a hit.

The Champs

• See that ridiculously looking behemoth on the left? That’s Bill “El Wingador” Simmons. He’s a five time champ of the Wing Bowl. In fact, he’s their most famous wing-muncher. He was the first glutton to get to three championships in a row. If you’ll allow us: that’s a Wing-peat. (Joey Chestnut currently reigns as 2007 Champion and has also won three in a row).
  Fun Fact:
  

  “El Wingador” would practice to strengthen his jaw muscles by eating lots of frozen Tootsie Rolls in the weeks before the Wing Bowl.

  That. Is. Awesome.
  And then there are the past champions. Out of 16 Wing Bowls, there have been nine different champions include: a guy by the name of “Fluffmaster”, a chick named “The Black Widow” and of course our newfound hero, Bill “El Wingador” Simmons. The other dudes that won sound lame, so screw them.

The Fans

• Basically, this ecompasses anyone who digs eating tons of food and watching others do the same. If this isn’t America’s true pastime, then we really don’t know what is. Baseball? Please. And if you’re still not convinced this thing will go national on networks everywhere, then listen to this:
  

  The Wing Bowl now draws crowds of 20,000 or more.

  Pre-David Beckham, MLS was craving numbers like that. Now how about we check out those lovely Wingettes.
  
  Wing Bowl [Wikipedia]
  Image 1 [CollegePublisher]
  Image 2 [The 700 Level]
  Image 3 [IFOCE]
  Image 4 [Attytood]
  Video [YouTube]