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There’s a light at the finish of the tunnel for hot dog-consuming contest fans. Following the tragic news that Joey Chestnut would not be capable to participate in the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, it was revealed that the GOAT would be going up against his old rival Takeru Kobayashi in a new showdown Labor Day Weekend.

Shortly right after the news of Joey’s exit from the Nathan’s contest on Coney Island, Netflix announced that Joey, 40, and Takeru, 46, would be facing off in a hot dog consuming contest known as “Unfinished Beef” going down on September 2. The two globe class athletes will go head-to-head in a hot dog consuming contest on the streaming service for Labor Day Weekend.

The announcement came shortly right after it was revealed that Joey would not participate in the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July  4, right after signing a deal with Impossible Foods. It was reported that Major League Eating (yes, nevertheless genuine) had attempted to function with the globe record holder to attain an agreement, and element of that was enabling him to participate in the streamed Labor Day Weekend contest. “Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. We hope he returns when he is not representing a rival brand,” MLE mentioned in a statement.

Joey also reacted to the news displaying that he was disappointed by the selection. “It will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!” he wrote about the selection on X (formerly Twitter).

For some folks who might be new to the hot dog-consuming competitors globe, the showdown is certainly going to be the stuff of legends. Takeru definitely popularized the competitive consuming globe. He was a six-time winner of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. He and Joey faced off for the 1st time in 2005, and Joey took third location in the competitors. The following year, they faced off once more, and Takeru set a new record defeating Joey after far more. In 2007, Joey and Takeru each set new individual bests, but Joey unseated the former champion by wolfing down 66 glizzies. The two of them faced off the following two years, but Joey held robust in defending his title, but in 2010, Takeru was not permitted to participate due to a contract dispute. He has not officially competed in the Nathan’s contest ever considering the fact that.