The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion

[Alex95]

 

Seems a bit early for a cast announcement, but the Season 39 cast has officially been revealed. It's all former challengers who have not won yet. I didn't know the twist about the champions though

 

"But just because the season's cast is made up entirely of non-winners, they'll still have to beat the best to be the best. Legendary Challenge champs CT Tamburello, Cara Maria Sorbello, Jordan Wiseley, Darrell Taylor, Laurel Stucky, Tori Deal, Brad Fiorenza, Devin Walker, Kaycee Clark, and Kaz Crossley will return in surprise elimination appearances throughout the season. However, unlike in season 32's Final Reckoning, the champions are only there to compete in eliminations against the contenders and will not get to earn their way into the game if they win."

 

Contenders:

Jessica Brody - Australia
Berna Canbeldek - Spies, Lies & Allies
Ed Eason - Spies, Lies & Allies
Big T Fazakerley - War of the Worlds 2, Total Madness, Double Agents, Spies, Lies & Allies
Michele Fitzgerald - Spies, Lies & Allies, Ride or Dies, USA 2
Asaf Goren - Total Madness
Horacio Gutiérrez - Ride or Dies
Callum Izzard - UK
Moriah Jadea - Ride or Dies
Jujuy Jiménez - Argentina, World Championship
Olivia Kaiser - Ride or Dies
Corey Lay - Spies, Lies & Allies
James Lock - UK
Nurys Mateo - Ride or Dies
Hughie Maughan - Spies, Lies & Allies
Emanuel Neagu - Spies, Lies & Allies
Chauncey Palmer - Ride or Dies
Melissa Reeves - Vendettas, Final Reckoning, Total Madness
Ravyn Rochelle - Ride or Dies
Colleen Schneider - Ride or Dies
Jay Starrett - Total Madness, Double Agents, Ride or Dies
Ciarran Stott - Australia
Kyland Young - USA 1
Zara Zoffany - UK, World Championship

 

 

Edited October 26 by Alex95

[Alex95]

Still no news about All-Stars 4 though, that is so absurd

 

This is my first time finding out who the champions are. Wow Cara Maria's really all in back in the Challenge world! Kaz is a pretty shocking choice, though she is 2 for 2. Shocked there's no Bananas!

Edited September 12 by Alex95

[Alex95]

Also feels weird to release the cast before USA 2 ends...I guess that means Michele's not winning that? Not that I was expecting her to lol

[*Wallace]

After last season, I'm not surprised that Horacio & Olivia got the biggest pictures of the promo photo.  

Oooh I do really like the theme of non-winners. I feel like this gives the challengers all an even playing field with no one really dominant as a strategic or physical player. And wow the twist regarding the champions is really interesting. So I take it that the Challengers have to beat the Champions to stay in the game but if they lose, they get eliminated? Veryy interesting. And I'm also really liking the twist that the champions will only be apart of eliminations and not enter the game. 

But whoa, reallly shocked not to see Bananas name involved in the cast. LOL This is a kind of season I wouldn't mind him being in as he wouldn't be apart of the actual game.   (But I'm guessing he maybe isn't apart of this season as he's on the House of Villains show? And maybe those filmed at the same time?).
 

[QueenKalie]

Excited to see Big T and Melissa again!

[Alex95]

11 minutes ago, QueenKalie said:

Excited to see Big T and Melissa again!

Those are the two I'm most looking forward to as well!

[*Wallace]

Melissa Reeves is someone I was not expecting to ever return to The Challenge for some reason but it should be fun seeing her back on here.

[Alex95]

There's a meet the cast special tonight before this starts for real next week.

 

So excited for the Melissa & Big T chaotic duo

[*Wallace]

Oh snap, it's crazy this is already premiering next week!  

 

I forgot about the Meet the Cast special but hoping to check that out whenever I get a chance to do so.

[Alex95]

Amber with the cameo iktr!

[*Wallace]

Oooh I watched the special yesterday and it was fun. It was different from what I was expecting - as I was expecting it to be like a recap of all of the past Challengers previous seasons' and interviews from them about that.  But it was fun seeing a bit of that, how TJ announces they'll be apart of the season and the cast meeting up with each other. And some pre-competition stuff they did, which was fun to see. Excited to see how this season plays out!

[Alex95]

Interesting premiere. Not gonna lie, I have no idea what to make of this format just yet. I haaaaaate one winner. There should always be one guy and one girl winner at minimum. So that set the season off on a low note.

 

Having said that, I had fun this episode. Berna is a mess??? Do not remember her being this messy on SLA. Big T was obviously the star of the episode though. She was completely right, there is no reason for the girls to protect the guys, especially knowing there’s only one winner. No girl should want to run in the finals with them! I don’t like to see her in trouble this early (especially don’t like Horacio calling her out ) but I’m so glad she won that elimination (and Melissa shrieking like a banshee on the sidelines ). Hopefully she can stay out of elimination for a long time now.

[Zoey]

There’s way too much going on already. I feel sorry for Jessica, but she kinda did it to herself.

 

Loving Asaf, Ed, Melissa, Olivia and Horacio.

[*Wallace]

Just watched the premiere. It was fun and enjoyable. There's so many people and I feel like there's a lot of them I don't know or remember... so I'm just trying to get to know them.  I am also really confused about the format. But I also don't like that there is only one winner.

 

Big T plotting up some big plans already!  I totally get her mindset. But ugh, I also hate that she's been targeted so soon already. I worry for her longevity in the game.  But I love and was so proud of her with how she slayed that elimination.  I do feel like lots of people always underestimate her because she's small and maybe not the physically strongest. But she brings a lot to the competition! Hoping she can get herself out of this pickle but not too hopeful how long she will stay in.  

 

Omgg not Callum and Michele causing MESS already.  Obviously putting the blame on Callum for his misleading ways. But oh, I totally forgot about him but I recognized him on Ex on the Beach a few years ago.  But gah I fear that Michele is gonna get herself distracted and lose a bit of focus on the game - but I'm hoping not.

[Alex95]

Watching them all blow the challenge each week is actually the most I’ve enjoyed watching these dailies . I hope the winner of the season gets like $10 lmao

 

Chauncey was pitiful at literally every aspect of the game. I clearly only enjoyed him as an extension of Amber last season. Enjoy your life with your beautiful wife and baby we don’t need you on the show

 

I’m glad Melissa hasn’t come back boring like some of these vets do after a few seasons off. She is the star so far and I can’t wait for her big fight with Berna next week . I’m kinda surprised but I’m finding myself rooting for UK right now.

[*Wallace]

Just caught up on this week's episode. Lmao omg this cast in these group challenges are such a mess.  

Ahh Chauncey. I was rooting for him but his gameplay was disappointing. Omggg him at the deliberations to prove his loyalty and it going wrong was so cringe and embarrassing.   Then his performances in challenges isn't good either. I was rooting for him against James and while Chauncey had the speed, he didn't have the strategy. >.< He's certainly no Amber in this game. He clearly needed Amber in the game as he was quite a lost puppy without her. I'm sad he couldn't go further for Amber and their baby but at least he gets to be with them.

[QueenKalie]

I actually watched both episodes yesterday. They were okay. I like the cast I have a lot of favorites on there so that's cool. I'm not a huge fan of the format especially the only one winner part. Will see how the season goes I guess but I could see it getting boring fast if the boot order is tragic because the only good part of it is the cast. But so far the boot order is fine as I have no attachment to Jessica or Chauncey and they kinda screwed themselves over so that was fine.

Edited November 5 by QueenKalie

[Alex95]

Lol @ them throwing two episodes in a row. They clearly just want to shut the casuals up and get to the champs already . I'm actually enjoying this season so far! It's not breaking any new ground, but the new dynamics are fresh. You can say that maybe Ravyn, Nurys, Olivia, Morriah drama isn't any different than drama we've gotten from the Vacation Alliance, but it's just nice to have new characters and new conflicts.

 

Still mainly here Melissa & Big T. Loved Melissa vs. Berna, felt very old school. While screaming in Berna's face isn't the ideal way to dispute you're a bully, it sure is funny . And I loooooved Big T's coming out and I'm so proud of her . Glad they seem to be flying a bit more under the radar after being targeted at first. I hope they can keep sliding by, but I'm worried with all these internationals getting eliminated.

 

Callum is...something else. Michele is gonna drag his ass at the reunion and I cannot wait to see it.

[QueenKalie]

I watched the 2 episodes I enjoyed them. Big T's coming out party was a lot of fun and I am happy for her. I think the cast as a whole is pretty strong so it's been really watchable so far. I do fear that the format might interfere with the fun but so far that hasn't been the case yet at least.

[Zoey]

I’m not in love with this season so far but maybe that’s because there’s so many invisible people. Maybe I’ll start to be invested when there’s half of them left.

 

Ravyn doing her own thing was refreshing because a lot of these people are sheep who are playing other peoples game. I’m glad that she proved herself in the elimination.  I don’t remember her from her first season but I hope she’s able to turn it around this time.

 

Asaf continues to be my favourite. I could watch him all day.. I wonder why. 

 

I’m really enjoying Ed, Kyland, Melissa, Berna and Horacio too. Michele is starting to irritate me and that’s never happened before. 

[*Wallace]

Um, I did not know there were two episodes this week. I can't take that for all of these shows I'm watching. Thankfully I watched an episode yesterday and the other today so I'm caught up on both episodes.

I'm glad the group worked much better together in these last two group daily challenges. It was especially really scary how they were just 3 seconds away from failing that last challenge.

Ooh phew, I'm really glad that Ravyn won that elimination. She's been playing a really messy game but there's something about her that I like and want to root for her! I'm glad she was the first person voted in and won it. 

I didn't really know who JuJuy was... and even though I was ~rooting against her, awww it was still sad to see her go. She seems like the sweetest Challenger ever... like she's too nice of a soul to be on this show. Her goodbye message to the cast was so sweet and touched my heart. Also didn't realize how close of friends she and Horacio were, but it was sweet seeing how helpful and how he was rooting her on. I wouldn't mind seeing her on a future season.

Aww it was really nice seeing Big T having her coming out moment/celebration on the show. Hopefully her family will be loving and accepting of her (as she seemed to fear what they would think), like the The Challenge cast are.

lol that both Callum and Moriah are in their own tricky/sticky romantic entanglements. Although the Moriah thing seems... odd, as she & Bananas didn't seem to be a real thing? I feel bad for Moriah here. But Callum's thing seems really messy and unclear... and I wish Michele would stay clear of that.

Ah Hugie is someone who I feel really conflicted on. Sometimes I really like him and then other times he can annoy me. So I don't really know where to stand with him. I do feel bad for him with how he was targeted as an easy target in this game. When he picked Kyland for the elimination, I was pulling for Kyland as I have always really liked him on these shows. So I'm glad that Kyland won that elimination. Hughie does often get frazzled in eliminations but he kept up and held his own with Kyland. And oh also, I think Kyland/Melissa do have a cute thing going... and if they qualify as a showmance, I like them more than the other ones in the game. 
 

[*Wallace]

Ooh yayy finally the chaos twist begins! Just watched the episode so I'll post some thoughts. 

Yayy for them battling it out in male/female pairings in the dailys. That's more like it with The Challenge. It was fun seeing Corey & Ravyn win as it was really unexpected and I had no idea what they would have done with their power.

So yeah I was really shocked when Corey chose Asaf for the elimination. Although I am also confused on their alliance/relationship in the game? I thought they were a really tight alliance (at least from what I saw in the game) and then Corey says that they've only known each other for 2 weeks. So for that, they can't really have THAT tight of an alliance? But I also think this move could lose Corey's trust in the Americans alliance, but then again, he was towards the bottom of that alliance anyway so who knows?

Asaf wanting to go against Ciarran was really courageous and I applaud him for that. If they  had to battleit out in the elimination, I would have been rooting for Asaf as I really want to ssee him succeed in his second chance here. But then the twist came that it was Jordan that was going to compete. I was glad he chose Ciarran's name was chosen so I didn't really have to care what happen. There was no surprise that Jordan won that. He had a risky but great strategy that worked in his favor, which I knew it would. Jordan comes up with crazy plans that usually works for him. But oh woww, the champion that wins gets to take $10,000 for themselves out of the winner's bank. That is quite massive! And that will really motivate the Challengers in these eliminations even more. While I was okay with Ciarran going, i did feel bad for him with how he handled his elimination and crying so hard the way he did. That was and and heartbreaking to watch.  I'm also surprised with how soon he left as I thought he would have been in the game longer.

But ooooo, bad move for Corey. I am definitely curious to see how this Asaf and Corey dynamic continues.  

And I also lol'd at Horacio/Big T being paired up. And how much of an adorable mess Big T was in the daily challenge.  
 

[Alex95]

Melissa & Big T are CARRYING this season on their backs. Melissa giving us the drama and Big T giving us the elims. Did not see Big T becoming an elimination queen out of nowhere, but I am so here for it . Ugh, I just know their names are gonna stay in everyone's mouths though . I feel like a total meltdown from the Ride or Die girls alliance is coming (they can already barely stand each other) and I just need it to be sooner rather than later. I feel like we'll have to wait for at least one of Big T or Melissa to go home, but hopefully the other will thrive after.

 

I genuinely can't stand watching anyone outside of Big T and Melissa lmao. That's not true people like James, Kyland, Nurys, Michele, and Ravyn still have their moments for me. But overall, this cast is dire without those two queens. Asaf, Jay, and Corey are particularly infuriating this season in a way I did not expect.

[QueenKalie]

21 minutes ago, Alex95 said:

Melissa & Big T are CARRYING this season on their backs. Melissa giving us the drama and Big T giving us the elims. Did not see Big T becoming an elimination queen out of nowhere, but I am so here for it . Ugh, I just know their names are gonna stay in everyone's mouths though . I feel like a total meltdown from the Ride or Die girls alliance is coming (they can already barely stand each other) and I just need it to be sooner rather than later. I feel like we'll have to wait for at least one of Big T or Melissa to go home, but hopefully the other will thrive after.

 

I genuinely can't stand watching anyone outside of Big T and Melissa lmao. That's not true people like James, Kyland, Nurys, Michele, and Ravyn still have their moments for me. But overall, this cast is dire without those two queens. Asaf, Jay, and Corey are particularly infuriating this season in a way I did not expect.

I agree with like all of this.

[*Wallace]

Caught up on the latest episode last night but forgot to comment so I'll comment now.

 

Aww yeah I do think it's sad and such a shame how Big T & Melissa have been and will continue to be targeted in this game.  I think it's probably because they haven't been apart of The Challenge franchise in a few years and are like the ~older contestants of this game~ while mostly everyone else are from the very recent seasons and have stronger connections with each other. I'm not sure who else they would need on their side, probably people from like 4-5 years ago like Georgia and Theo? Though I can't remember how they all connected/got along or not with each other.

 

But wow, I was really so proud of Big T beating out Kaz in that elimination. Didn't see that coming but I just love how she keeps proving everyone wrong.  I also loved Melissa's reaction and how happy she was after Big T won it.  Although lol at most people wanting Big T to go and lose $10k of the prize money rather than keeping their prize money.

 

I do actually like the big American alliance. I do like most of them. But also the drama of them loosely staying together and have friction amongst each other is funny too.  I'm also curious to see more of the Jay/Michele/Nurys/Asaf alliance and see how they work together and far they can go. 

 

Hmmm the Nurys/Horacio storyline is interesting. They seem like such opposites but maybe it could work? I feel like a lot of showmances are happening and it's hard to keep track of them, lol. 

 

Corey is an interesting one. He had a lowkey episode so didn't mind him here but he seems rather sneaky and untrustworthy to nearly everyone.  I'm not sure what kind of game he's playing. I'm curious how this drama with Melissa/Big T will erupt.