With Joey Chestnut out of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, there's only one thing that should happen next

What is Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest without Joey Chestnut? Unfortunately, we're about to find out.

The 16-time winner of the annual gorge-fest won't compete at this year's event due to a sponsorship with Impossible Foods, which makes plant-based frankfurters.

"For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions," Major League Eating (MLE) said in a statement.

"However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship," it continued.

With Chestnut exiled and Japanese competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi retired, the 2024 hot dog competition is set to be an animal-intestine shell of its former self.

Perhaps someone will emerge from the ashes as the next great competitive hot dog eater, but should we really want that?

"For the past 20 years, I have been in this field," Kobayashi said when announcing his retirement, adding concerningly, "I want to repair my brain and gut."

While there is "minimal data" on the long-term risks of competitive eating, according to one doctor who studied the contests, an article from the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) from March 2013 notes, "Physicians do know enough about how the human body works to take some educated guesses about the possible effects of repeatedly bingeing on massive quantities of food."

Risks include gastroparesis, gastric perforation and damage to the esophagus, including Mallory-Weiss tear and Boerhaave syndrome, the article stated, citing the study.

"I think it's stupid for anyone to do," competitive eater Peter Czerwinski told the CMAJ. Though he said at the time he was "having fun with it," he added that he doesn't "encourage anyone to do it."

In addition to the harm competitive eating does to those who participate, it's just as nauseating to watch. No one needs to watch adults soak hot dog buns in water to make them easier to swallow or people's pained expressions as they struggle to keep their already-consumed food from becoming a projectile.

As long as Chestnut is benched, this hot dog contest should be 86'd.