Shivangi Sinha
Prime Video’s ‘Beast Games’ is known for tempting contestants to walk away by offering large sums of money in exchange for quitting and, in doing so, eliminating competition. In season two, that strategy remained firmly in place, with even higher stakes pushing players into difficult moral decisions. Many were forced to confront whether immediate gain was worth sacrificing a shot at the ultimate prize. Nicky Mariano found himself facing the same dilemma. Rather than giving in to short-term temptation, he chose to persevere and kept his focus on the bigger reward ahead. His decision also helped him earn trust within the game and prove that restraint and long-term thinking could be just as powerful as risk-taking.
Nicky Mariano Was Chosen as Team Captain in the Bribery Challenge
Nicky Mariano opened up about growing up with very limited resources and explained that everything he has today is the result of his own effort and persistence. He spoke candidly about how winning the cash prize could be life-changing, especially in allowing him to better support his family. The opening challenge posed little difficulty for Nicky, and he moved through it with ease. He remained steady in the second challenge as well, choosing to play Bluff, where luck favored him and helped establish his reputation as a player who was neither disloyal nor untrustworthy. The third challenge, an obstacle course, introduced a layered test of character and strategy.
His team was required to do a team race, but along the course were three bags containing $100,000 each. Picking up a bag would not lead to elimination, but it would slow a contestant down and risk the team’s overall performance. For a moment, it appeared that Nicky might calculate his pace and go for the money. Instead, he made a decisive choice to prioritize his team, bypassing the cash and heading straight for the finish line. His decision earned him the respect and trust of his teammates, who saw it as a clear sign of leadership. When the time came to select a team captain for the Captain Bribery Challenge, they unanimously chose Nicky.
Nicky Mariano is Making His Way Forward as a Pro Wrestler
Nicky Mariano, known in the wrestling world as Conan Lycan and “The Landshark,” has built a reputation as a hard-hitting and dependable presence on the independent wrestling circuit. Hailing from Troy, New York, he has been active since 2018 and was trained at The Black and Brave Wrestling Academy, a respected school co-founded by Seth Rollins. Under the guidance of trainers Marek Brave and Matt Mayday, Nicky developed his own style of wrestling. Working primarily as a freelancer, Nicky competes across multiple independent promotions, a common path in professional wrestling that allows performers to gain diverse experience and exposure.
His career spans singles, tag team, and title-contending matches, with regular appearances for Chicago Style Wrestling (CSW), Limitless Wrestling, AAW Pro, Smash Wrestling, NLW, and HAW. One of his earliest career milestones came in November 2022, when he won the CSW Heavyweight Title No. 1 Contendership Ring of Destiny Battle Royal, which placed him as a serious contender within the promotion. His profile continued to rise in October 2024, when he competed in a widely praised three-way match in Smash Wrestling against Mike Bailey. Throughout 2025, Nicky maintained a packed and competitive schedule. In September 2025, he appeared in CSW and later that month faced Donovan Dijak at Limitless Wrestling’s “Never Enough” event, a high-profile matchup that tested him against an established name.
His momentum continued into November 2025 with a match for Blood, Sweat & Tears Wrestling, followed by a busy December run. In December 2025, he competed against Brayden Toon, defeated Hans Carden, and later faced Gunner Cain on consecutive nights, underscoring his durability and consistency. Another highlight of his career includes a full-length match against Beef (formerly Gnarls Garvin) at AAW Pro’s “Uno Mas.” He has made his way through the scene and is persevering in his path. For now, he likes the thrill that the ring offers him and has no plans to step away from it anytime soon.
Nicky Mariano Values the Love That His Family Brings to Him
Outside the ring, Nicky Mariano leads a life that is just as active and lively. In October 2025, he took a trip to the Utah mountains with friends and shared moments from the getaway that reflected his love for the outdoors and close friends. He has also built a strong digital presence, with around 20,000 followers on Instagram, where he regularly shares small moments of his life beyond wrestling. His content often focuses on fitness routines, boxing training, and conditioning. Through his online presence, Nicky consistently highlights what matters most to him, which is his family. He has many siblings and his parents remain his priority. He wants to build a life that they would be proud of.
Read More: Colby Sparkman: Where is Beast Games Player 177 Now?
