I’m A Huge Competitive Eating Fan, And There Are Some Obvious Takeaways From Netflix’s Chestnut Vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

I'm A Huge Competitive Eating Fan, And There Are Some Obvious Takeaways From Netflix's Chestnut Vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

As a long-time enthusiast of competitive eating events, I must say that this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest was nothing short of captivating! From the electric atmosphere to the strategic maneuvers employed by the top eaters, it was an exhilarating spectacle that truly showcased the art and science of gluttony.


In recent times, one of the top-tier streaming services has introduced some captivating Netflix movies and series. However, it’s quite unexpected that America’s highly esteemed, record-breaking athlete, Joey Chestnut (a bit tongue-in-cheek here), would engage in a fierce competition with his arch-rival, Takeru Kobayashi, on this streaming platform.

The main topic under discussion was labeled, “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Untouched Rivalry,” which unfolded live on Labor Day. As a passionate observer of competitive eating, I found immense joy witnessing this showdown. Although it didn’t make my list of future Olympic events in my article, I sincerely hope that competitive eating will someday be recognized as an Olympic sport – much like the cherished esports I admire.

There’s a slim chance it won’t occur, but fortunately, I can still savor shows like “Unfinished Beef” on Netflix. As for my thoughts after watching it, let’s grab a seat together and discuss while we indulge in some hot dogs.

I'm A Huge Competitive Eating Fan, And There Are Some Obvious Takeaways From Netflix's Chestnut Vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

It Actually Took Competitive Eating Seriously Rather Than As Just Some Joke  

It’s common knowledge that Vince Vaughn starred in the movie titled “Dodgeball”. This film is a well-known one from the early 2000s. Unlike boxing, which has many dramatic movies, there are no heartrending films based on dodgeball because the sport generally doesn’t generate dramatic scenarios.

A similar observation can be made about competitive eating, as its nature naturally invites humor. This activity, often considered a sport (though some may debate), involves individuals submerging hot dogs in water and swiftly consuming them. Consequently, when commentating on such events, puns are frequently employed to match the abundance of soggy buns.

Yet, despite the evident humor in “Unfinished Beef,” I found myself taken aback by how genuinely intense it became during the climax.

The conversation wasn’t just about the repetitive comments on how absurd it was for grown men to be eating so much while spectators cheered them on. Instead, it felt like a genuine sports event, complete with detailed commentary, which I appreciate because I truly believe competitive eating is a legitimate sport.

I'm A Huge Competitive Eating Fan, And There Are Some Obvious Takeaways From Netflix's Chestnut Vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

I Learned So Much About Joey Chestnut And Kobayashi, Including Their Techniques  

Over the course of my life, I’ve witnessed numerous eating competitions, and I have to admit, I was unaware of just how much skill is required. I knew there had to be some logic behind consuming an astounding number of hot dogs in one go, but I didn’t realize that gulping down large amounts of water prior as a way to expand the stomach is a tactic used by competitors.

It was surprising to me that jaw strength can be improved through exercise, which I discovered from this program. In the show, Kobayashi shared insights about how water plays a crucial role in competitive eating, and emphasized the importance of a powerful jaw for athletes like Chestnut, as it enhances their chewing ability.

Without a doubt, being a champion necessitates the use of specific methods or strategies – along with what seems to be endurance through pain. However, I was unaware of just how intricate these techniques were until this particular event. It was here that I absorbed all the knowledge.

I'm A Huge Competitive Eating Fan, And There Are Some Obvious Takeaways From Netflix's Chestnut Vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

The Program Was Kept Engaging With Other Events In The Lead-Up 

As a die-hard fan, I must admit that I would’ve been content if Netflix had simply broadcasted the head-to-head between Chestnut and Kobayashi. However, they went above and beyond by adding engaging preludes to the main event. One such segment that truly captured my attention was the competition featuring eating legend Matt Stonie against not one, but three Olympians in a chicken wing eating challenge…and he came out victorious!

Additionally, we managed to capture Leah Shutkever consuming prodigious quantities of watermelon in her pursuit of a world record, which she successfully achieved. To make things even more exciting, Rey Mysterio and Omos made special appearances (a subtle nod to remind viewers that WWE Raw will soon be available on Netflix), resulting in an exceptionally captivating program.

It’s quite astonishing how competitive eating seems to be far more significant than I had previously perceived. By the way…

I'm A Huge Competitive Eating Fan, And There Are Some Obvious Takeaways From Netflix's Chestnut Vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

The Crowd Was Really Into It 

Before this incident, I had always believed that the peak of competitive eating was the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. So, when Chestnut was disqualified from participating in this year’s event, I felt like competitive eating was suffering a significant blow.

However, take a look, the popularity of competitive eating appears to be at an all-time high with this particular special. The audience, who are always enthusiastic during the Nathan’s event, seemed genuinely moved when it came to Kobayashi, particularly his wife, who was visibly emotional and shedding tears for her husband.

I’ve found myself captivated by spectating competitive eating events, appreciating the eccentric outfits of participants. However, witnessing individuals genuinely praying for Kobayashi’s success infused a fresh dimension of emotional intensity into this sport that I hadn’t encountered previously.

I'm A Huge Competitive Eating Fan, And There Are Some Obvious Takeaways From Netflix's Chestnut Vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

I Liked The Rules Set In Place For The Main Event 

One thing that has always interested me when watching competitive eating is the way people compete. For example, Stonie downed a lot more wings than his competitors because he would strip the meat off the bone first, and then eat it before moving onto the next one, while his competition ate wings the normal way, which definitely slowed them down.

In my experience, Chestnut often emerges victorious in these eating contests, and his approach is quite common among competitors. He would divide the buns from the sausages, then consume multiple hot dogs simultaneously. Admittedly, it appeared quite off-putting, but it seems like the race aspect outweighs the taste factor in this case.

In summary, during this competition, there were novel rules that both participants needed to follow. Firstly, they couldn’t split the hot dogs from the buns, making it necessary for Chestnut to use an unfamiliar technique. Moreover, this rule seemed to favor Kobayashi, who was considered the underdog, as it appeared to even out the odds between them.

Ultimately, the measures taken didn’t stop Chestnut from overpowering Kobayashi, yet it’s intriguing to see fresh rules established. I hope that more eating contests will adopt similar regulations.

I'm A Huge Competitive Eating Fan, And There Are Some Obvious Takeaways From Netflix's Chestnut Vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

The Commentary Was Actually Insightful 

At the event, comedian Rob Riggle and former WWE star Nikki Bella (who truly earns affection) served as co-hosts, smoothly guiding the proceedings. However, it was the commentary team of Chris Rose and Cari Champion that truly caught my attention. Unlike the co-hosts, they seldom made jokes and instead focused on their primary role, delivering the live commentary.

I’m a big fan of competitive eating, and I think it would be great if sports commentators gave more coverage to these exciting events. The highlight for me was when Tim Janus, also known as Eater X, appeared without his usual face paint, engaging in a conversation about the competitors.

What was fascinating about this is that he analyzed both of them like you might hear people discuss football players, or basketball players, and it was truly refreshing to hear somebody who genuinely knew what he was talking about when discussing the sport. It really was quite something. 

I'm A Huge Competitive Eating Fan, And There Are Some Obvious Takeaways From Netflix's Chestnut Vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

Records Were Broken 

To top it all off, as a passionate sports enthusiast, I couldn’t help but feel exhilarated witnessing not just one, but two record-breaking moments at this spectacular event! Leah Shutkever, a true champion, smashed yet another Guinness World Record by consuming an astounding 4 pounds of watermelon in merely 2 minutes and 30 seconds. What a spectacle to behold!

First, Chestnut surpassed his previous record by eating 83 hot dogs within 10 minutes. This leads me to think that if Netflix is investing significantly in such an event, they probably aim for new records to be set. And let’s face it, it’s just fantastic!

Hey there fellow gamers! Have you caught the latest gaming docuseries, “Unfinished Beef”? Man, it left me speechless! Whether it made your mouth water or turned you off from food entirely, just remember to keep sipping that H2O! Stay hydrated, game buddies!

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2024-09-12 12:07