Leroy and Hunter played the same game that Camila and Jemmye did, except theirs was much more exciting. This is a stripe earning moment. Hunter went from a muscled up dude who talked a big game, to proving himself on the field against one of the most elite elimination competitors in Challenge history. Leroy had feasted on short cocky white boys in elimination in the past, and he was ready to beat Hunter’s ass after Veronica, Britni, and Tony had voted him into elimination after a burn vote debacle.

Instead, Hunter took it to Leroy. Hunter became a human ball of muscle, got low, and was able to squeeze through first. While Hunter’s cardio might be lacking, he can beat most other competitors in a sprint. There is something about this elimination, it felt like a boxing match between an old veteran and an upcomer where the young buck stuns the former great. Just two heavyweights going at it. Sadly, Hunter broke his wrist in this elimination and it cost him his shot at the final.

3 Kyle vs Theo War of the Worlds 1

The rare elimination where both players earn their stripes. Kyle floated through Vendettas on an amazing social game. When he lost three eliminations on Final Reckoning while partnered with Brad, everyone thought he got lucky the first time. During War of the Worlds, he was consistently doubted and people attributed his success to Mattie carrying him. Kyle worked his ass off to prove himself because everyone would attribute his success to his partners. After almost dying in the junkyard daily challenge, Kyle went up against the pro sprinter Theo in Hall Brawl.

Theo had never been in an elimination before. Kyle took advantage of this fact in the first round and used his physicality to his advantage. Kyle got low pushed Theo back and was able to get the first round win. In the second round, Kyle seems to have it, that is until Theo drags Kyle’s leg and then arm before sprinting off to get the second point. The third round is an immediate collison with the two players wrestling one another for an extended period. Because Theo is an actual professional sprinter, Kyle knows he needs to push Theo back significantly or he’ll be out run. In the end, Theo gets it, he wins 2–1. Everyone watching knows Kyle has heart, and that Theo is a force to be reckoned with.

2 Jordan and Marlon vs Leroy and Ty

I wrote about this elimination and the #1 elimination literally last week. Also, Leroy has played Hall Brawl three times. MTV, maybe give him a puzzle every once in a while.

This elimination was perfect for these men. They played the same game as Derek/Robb vs Tyrie/Dunbar. Jordan and Ty were lined up to sprint against each other. Marlon was an All Big 12 football player on a legendary Texas Tech team. He was set to block against Leroy, who on Rivals 2 was still in prime shape and was built like a brick-house. When you watch this elimination, you really wonder how someone like Leroy did not have a college football career or spend some time in the octagon. Leroy in his prime could go toe to toe in strength with some of the toughest guys in Challenge history.

In round one, Jordan’s speed catches them off guard and the rookies get the first point. During the second round, Leroy puts on the gas and pushes both Marlon and Jordan hard, allowing Ty to get the second point and tie it up. In round three, Leroy does the exact same thing, only Ty is held back right near the bell by Marlon. Leroy had gotten Jordan almost back to the starting position, but Jordan hits the X button for a spin move and gets enough room to sprint for the bell and pull out the victory.

This is pure unadulterated testosterone. Jordan and Marlon are the only two in the building not stunned by the win.

1 Zach and Sam vs CJ and Jasmine

I was considering flipping this elimination with the previous one despite ranking this elimination higher in the previous article. Partially to fuck with people, and partially because these two are truly neck and neck.

Sam and Jasmine have their battle in this elimination where Sam picks up an easy 2–0 win. This matters though, because CJ beats Zach, and it forces a sudden death overtime. However, let’s breakdown the first round between Zach and CJ real quick. CJ, a former college football punter, remembers his tackling drills and just takes out Zach’s legs before he gets a chance to put a hit on CJ. CJ uses the lack of space in the hallway to his advantage. He picks up two rounds in easy fashion and forces the overtime. The best part about this is after Zach loses, he begins hyping up CJ in the confessional by noting “CJ is an MMA fighter, he’s older than me…” Zach knows that you at least want to lose to someone who looks impressive.

In the first overtime round, CJ gets low once again, takes a point and he’s almost done it, he’s almost eliminated Goliath twice. Now, I’m gonna quote my previous article to describe what happens after:

“TJ blows the horn for the second overtime round, and Zach leaps over CJ when he attempts to hit him low. I was still very new to the Challenge when I watched that elimination the first time, and let me tell you, my jaw dropped. The concept of one big male jumping over another grown man in a tiny hallway never crossed my mind until it happened. CJ expects Zach to repeat the same strategy the next round, Zach does not go for a leap, and out-muscles CJ to get the third point and eliminate Team Cancun.”

The game is over and man, what a comeback. It’s one of the weirdest feelings ever, because CJ was the guy. This is the most the Challenge has ever felt like Game of Thrones (not S8). Nowadays, the closest we get to Game of Thrones is Bear fucking his cousin.