Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro eliminated Erik Linder in a shocking result after each dancer was asked to perform a routine with a partner that included a "wow" moment.
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Erik was ousted from the competition during the show's fifth episode that aired Monday night on ABC because he failed to deliver a "wow" moment that could've potentially gone viral in his contemporary performance with Selena Hamilton.
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Erik said in his final words that he was "happy" to have been given this opportunity, even though he will not become the next pro dancer on Dancing with the Stars.
"I could really grow as a dancer and as a person [in this competition]," Erik said.
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"I allowed myself to speak through my dancing, and I couldn't have done it without Selena... or anybody here, and the judges I look up to and understand. The decision has been made, and I respect it."
The Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro episode kicked off with the "Ferrari" of Dancing with the Stars, Daniella Karagach, joining regular judges Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas on the judging panel.
Daniella asked the dancers to create a contemporary routine with a "wow" moment. The routine also needed to include Val Chmerkovskiy's "iconic knee walks," Witney Carson's "leg lift," and Daniella's "air walk."
"For your challenge, you need to create a dance that includes one of these three moves and also includes one of your own unique 'wow' moves -- all while dancing a contemporary style," Daniella explained, later adding that she wanted to be "blown away" by the performances.
Shirley added, "This is not traditional ballroom. Ask yourself, 'What can I create that the audience has never seen before?'"
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During rehearsals, Daniella asked the men to each choose a partner with whom they'd like to choreograph a routine.
Nina Mayster -- who had been in the bottom-two couples last week -- was not picked, and Allen Genkin, her former partner, admitted that he felt "guilty" about that.
"But back in Week 2, [Adele Zaikman] and I had a fantastic connection dancing together, and I just picture a beautiful contemporary routine with her," Allen explained.
Selena got to choose between Erik and AJ Pritchard, and she selected Erik, saying that she needed to do "what was best" for herself.
"I feel so bad. Me and Erik have this wonderful back and forth in rehearsal, and when I dance with AJ, he's more of the idea person and I'm just the follower," Selena explained. "So it's hard."
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AJ lamented about how Nina had "never done contemporary before" and so he was a little worried.
"Contemporary is out of my comfort zone in so many ways. I don't know how we're going to get there," AJ lamented in a confessional.
"I'm stressed at this point. This could be the dance that sends me home."
Nina, however, boasted to the cameras about how she has musical theater experience that no one would see coming.
When it became time for the performances, AJ and Nina took the stage first.
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Daniella said they both "definitely understood the assignment" and it was an "awesome" performance.
Mark said he could see the trust between the partners, and Shirley noted how AJ had come out of his comfort zone while Nina showed excellent musicality this week.
Allen and Adele were up next, and Mark noted how they danced so well together.
Mark told Adele, "If this is your first time doing contemporary ever, wow. Earlier, I said that sometimes when the pressure is really high, that pressure creates diamonds, you are a diamond."
Shirley went on to gush about how Adele was "beyond a diamond," in her opinion.
"I think you are probably one of the best female dancers I've ever seen in 66 countries of Dancing with the Stars or Strictly Come Dancing," Shirley revealed of Adele.
"You know I'm not a very praiseworthy person, really, but you, darling, are the real deal."
Shirley also commended Allen on being an excellent partner and allowing Adele the freedom she needed to shine.
For the final dance of the day, Selena and Erik attempted to wow the judges.
But instead of including a powerful or shocking move in their performance, Selena and Erik took a different approach and tried to make a subtle move the "wow" one.
Shirley told Erik that she would've like him to go even harder, especially considering he could end up performing in front of 25 million viewers on Dancing with the Stars.
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"For you, young lady, I said to Mark, 'She might give [Daniella] a run for her money.' And that didn't quite happen for me, unfortunately," Shirley admitted to Selena.
"That doesn't mean it's not great dancing. I appreciate great quality, but as a contemporary dancer, I expected a bit more from you."
Mark didn't think the pair actually had a "wow" moment. Mark said he was "intrigued" by Erik, a "dark horse" in the competition, but he wanted more.
The judges then revealed their decision after having "the hardest deliberation of the season," according to Mark.
Mark explained how Erik and Selena had a "fundamental problem" -- that they didn't exactly deliver on the challenge.
When asked who had made the decision to be choreograph subtle moves, Erik and Selena said it was a mutual choice.
Selena and Erik both landed in the bottom-two dancers as a result, and Shirley determined that it was Erik's time to go home.
"It's with a very, very heavy heart that I say this: this will be the last dance for Erik," Shirley announced.
"I'm so sorry. You're a beautiful dancer. You have exactly what you said: 'silent, still moments.' Selena, I felt that your choreography was more difficult and I feel you were very, very strong in your execution."
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Erik shared in his final words that he knew he was "taking a risk" and that it didn't pay off this time.
"I enjoyed and I loved every moment of that routine, and I'm proud of it. I don't regret a single moment," Erik concluded.