The fifth iteration of The Challenge’s international spin-off campaign stars this summer, and six MTV veterans are slated to represent the mainline series. The Challenge: USA season 2’s trailer and cast list were dropped on July 11, and the reality competition show will start rolling at 10 p.m. ET on August 10 via CBS and Paramount Plus. The two-part premiere will continue on August 13 at 9 p.m. ET through both mediums.
The second USA version features stars from MTV’s The Challenge, as well as CBS’s Big Brother, Survivor, and The Amazing Race. Unlike season 1, no Love Island notables are among the cast. After the first two episodes, it’ll air two days a week on both CBS and Paramount Plus — Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET and Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. August 31 will mark when The Challenge: USA begins airing once a week: Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET.
All in all, 24 reality television stars will battle for a grand prize and the prestigious title of Challenge champion. And once again, the franchise’s longtime host, TJ Lavin, will be at the helm. Besides the challengers, seven Survivor alums, nine Big Brother houseguests, and two Amazing Race competitors will compete on the show.
In this article, I’ll break down the six names representing The Challenge, although several other contestants from the upcoming season have appeared in the franchise as well. Let’s get into it!
Johnny Bananas, the most winningest challenger ever
John Devenanzio, the man better known as “Johnny Bananas,” has firmly ended his Challenge hiatus. After earning his seventh championship on a numbered Challenge during season 35’s Total Madness, Johnny Bananas stepped away from the show until season 38’s Ride or Dies earlier this year. He then appeared in World Championship right after, and now he’s one of six contestants carrying the MTV Challenge flag this summer.
Many regard Johnny Bananas as the “GOAT” (greatest of all time) of The Challenge. His eight championship victories — he earned one during the Champs vs. Stars 1 spin-off in 2018 as well — are the most in franchise history. He’s also appeared in the most iterations of the show: 25, counting The Challenge: USA season 2. Further, he’s received the second most grand prize money behind Chris “CT” Tamburello.
After making his reality television debut on The Real World: Key West in 2006, Bananas joined The Challenge during season 13’s The Duel that same year. Even though he was the first person eliminated from the show, MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions invited him back for The Inferno 3, the season after The Duel, and he quickly became a staple of the franchise.
He also won season 16’s The Island, season 18’s The Ruins, season 21’s Rivals, season 22’s Battle of the Exes, season 25’s Free Agents, and season 28’s Rivals III. Like always, expect Johnny Bananas to be a major player politically and a strong performer in the CBS/Paramount Plus spin-off.
Wes Bergmann, the puppet master
One person who typically matches Johnny Bananas’ airtime on The Challenge is his rival-turned-friend Wes Bergmann. Wes, a three-time champ, joins The Challenge: USA season 2 cast as a 20-time veteran of the franchise. He’s touted as one of the brainiest and most diabolical players of all time and coupled with his knack for turning in daily challenge wins, the red-headed athlete is a force to be reckoned with in the house.
He began his MTV journey as a member of The Real World: Austin cast in 2005 and became a Challenge alum during season 12’s Fresh Meat.
Wes walked away with a trophy and grand prize after The Duel and season 24’s Rivals II’s final challenges. His most recent triumph was on Paramount Plus’ All Stars 3 last year. The 38-year-old star last competed earlier this year in World Championship when he was eliminated in the sixth episode.
Don’t be surprised to see Wes — a self-described mastermind — wheeling and dealing all season long.
Jonna Stephens, the comeback queen
In what is considered potentially the greatest Challenge career turnaround ever, Jonna Stephens (formerly known as Jonna Mannion) will look to capture her third championship on The Challenge: USA season 2. The Real World: Cancun alum appeared in five seasons — Rivals, season 23’s Battle of the Seasons, Rivals II, Free Agents, and season 26’s Battle of the Exes II — before walking away from the reality TV star life in 2015.
Her five-season run was less than impressive and it seemed like Jonna had ridden off into the sunset without making a final challenge. But, she returned to the franchise as a mother in 2021 as part of the All Stars 1 cast. It was then that Jonna began carving a new, more impressive piece, of Challenge history. Along with KellyAnne Judd, Jonna placed third overall in the season after completing her first final.
Jonna returned for All Stars 2 and earned her first Challenge crown along with her partner, MJ Garrett. Then, she became a back-to-back queen by besting the rest of the women in All Stars 3. Jonna had a strong showing in her next season, World Championship, as well. But, she was eliminated from the show after her partner, Grant Crapp, sustained an injury and was medically unable to continue competing.
Jonna’s presence as a threat is now ever-present on The Challenge, and it’ll be interesting if she can keep her momentum going.
Amanda Garcia, the sassy underdog
An integral part of the “Lavender Ladies” alliance is back and she’s searching for her first Challenge championship. Amanda Garcia, the quick-witted and fiery Are You the One? season 3 star, is competing in her sixth Challenge season since her debut on Rivals III in 2016.
Although she hasn’t had as much success as her other Challenge counterparts on this cast list, Amanda’s notched 10 daily challenge wins and is 2-5 in elimination rounds. She last competed on season 37’s Spies, Lies & Allies and almost made her first final challenge but was taken out in the final female “Lair.”
The 30-year-old mom has never been known to back down from conflict, so it’ll be exciting to see how she gels with the other Challenge: USA season 2 cast members.
Tori Deal, the athletic powerhouse
A newly minted champion, Tori Deal is another Challenge name crossing over to CBS for the first time. Tori is viewed as one of the best active female competitors in the franchise, and she upped her stock even more when she and Devin Walker captured the trophy on Ride or Dies.
Not including her two appearances on the Champs vs. spin-off series (and most never consider the trilogy, anyways), Tori has battled on eight seasons. She’s made five finals, which includes placing second in World Championship, her most recent showing.
Her reality TV journey started on Are You the One? season 4 and then she crossed over to The Challenge via season 30’s Dirty 30 in 2017. She placed third on the talent-stacked iteration as a rookie, setting the stage for her impressive Challenge tenure.
So, expect to see Tori take a strong position politically and physically right at the start of The Challenge: USA season 2.
Cory Wharton, the retired ladies’ man
Excluding Amanda, Cory Wharton is the only competitor carrying the Challenge flag that isn’t a champion. The Real World: Ex-plosion cast member has been around the Challenge scene since placing second in his debut — season 27’s Battle of the Bloodlines — around eight years ago.
All in all, the athletic girl-dad has made four finals in nine seasons of MTV’s mainline series. Cory boasts a respectable 8-4 elimination record and he last competed on Spies, Lies & Allies when he was eliminated in episode 13.
Cory has remained dedicated to becoming a Challenge champion, and if he plays his cards right (and with a little luck), this could be the season he realizes his dream.
The format of the season has yet to be explained
Information about the actual workings of The Challenge: USA season 2 is still sparse. It’s unclear whether the competitors will begin by playing in duos that are determined by “The Algorithm,” like what went down in USA 1. The game flipped to an individual one halfway through the season, and Survivors’ Danny McCray and Sarah Lacina walked away as winners after completing TJ’s final.
So, just because the six Challenge veterans are entering the game representing the same show, doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be teamed up or in an alliance together. Speaking of shows, here are the remaining cast members that’ll join Johnny Bananas, Wes, Jonna, Amanda, Tori, and Cory:
Big Brother
- Josh Martinez
- Ameerah Jones
- Faysal Shafaat
- Alyssa Snider
- Monte Taylor
- Tiffany Mitchell
- Alyssa Lopez
- Tyler Crispen
- Paulie Calafiore
Survivor
- Cassidy Clark
- Michele Fitzgerald
- Desi Williams
- Sebastian Noel
- Chanelle Howell
- Michaela Bradshaw
- Chris Underwood
The Amazing Race
- Luis Colon
- Dusty Harris
As I mentioned at the start of this article, the six Challenge veterans aren’t the only contestants to have played on the MTV show. Josh, Faysal, Paulie, Michele, and Michaela, have all appeared on the mainline series. Further, Alyssa L, Desi, and Tiffany all competed in The Challenge: USA season 1 last year.
Published: Jul 13, 2023 06:32 pm