Performance Review: “Wipeout” drag competition

Never had I thought I’d see the day that the classic 2010s TV show Wipeout and a drag competition would come together. But here we are. “Wipeout,” the drag show at Evolution Wonderlounge, didn’t just have great drag performers — it had shenanigans. Including a big red ball.

Hosted and put together by Red Silence, “Wipeout” kept me on my toes. The chaos never ended, it really only grew as the performances went on.

Queen Artasia, Ladonna Stone, Steak, and Hot Wheelz prepared normal drag performances to normal songs. Red Silence, however, messed with all of that.

They added different things to the songs or switched songs partway through the queen’s performances. That was the mildest trick played on the performers. Water was thrown or poured on performers. Heels and wigs were stolen. And an absurd amount of vapes kept being handed to Ladonna Stone during her first number.

Of course, it wouldn’t be “Wipeout” without the ominous big red ball. That was thrown at queens — and the audience, though unintentionally — throughout their performances. Some managed to embrace the ball, other’s just tried to dodge it.

And while the shenanigans were a highlight, the queens’ performances cannot be understated. Especially how quickly they adapted to whatever was thrown at them. The queens didn’t miss a beat and embraced the chaos.

Additionally, their outfits and makeup were on point. Hot Wheelz’s makeup has to get a special mention because it also ended up stamped onto the red ball.

The queens even got their own chance to pull tricks on each other — and Red Silence at the end. Each queen was given a prop, Ladonna Stone had signs telling the audience to laugh, boo, clap, or cheer. Steak had a pool noodle, which was put to good use to say the least. Hot Wheelz had a speaker that they used to interrupt the performances.

And the best of all, was Queen Artasia with the big red ball. Not just because it’s a classic Wipeout obstacle, but also because she was in a red latex jumpsuit. She became one with the ball. It could not have been more perfect.

To finish the show off, Red Silence was mercilessly messed with by the other queens. It was brutal — but Red Silence kind of asked for it with all of their shenanigans.

Ladonna Stone was crowned the queen of the competition and she earned it. It was a fun and chaotic way to spend a night.