kinda: Amanda & Shane on Invasion of the Champions

Amanda & Shane got first place in what was essentially the daily challenge, “X-It,” where everyone was strapped to a slowly spinning X and had a sudoku puzzle to finish. Amanda famously slayed this puzzle in minutes when it took some people over an hour to complete it. Shane finished first in the guys’ heat.

But this was officially the first stage of the Underdog Bloodbath. The next was the 3-way tug-of-war (which Ashley and Nelson won) and the final part was trying to get your opponent out of a rope ring. Shane had no chance against a much stronger Cory. Neither did Amanda, if we’re being honest, but if her foot was 2 inches further back, she would have 2-and-0'd Nicole “She-ra” Zanatta.

But close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and social distancing, so both these messy queens went home despite winning the ostensible daily that episode. What a Shane. #robbed

Sarah & V**** on Battle of the Exes (1)

Sarah & V**** somehow won the “Hook Up” daily against numerous powerhouse teams like CT/Diem, Johnny/Camila, and Dustin/Heather. Yes, Dustin/Heather because they were slaying the dailies before he tripped on the pool stairs and cut his knee open, removing them from the competition. *Sigh* what might have been.

That night, Foti is feeling himself, celebrating his victory and on the juice. He aggressed sweet li’l Mandi, forcing her top open and exposing her breasts to the club. Because of this disgusting, porcine, boneheaded decision — he was disqualified the next day, thereby forcing Sarah to go home too, but not before nominating Wes & Mandi into nomination and showing no contrition for what he pulled the night prior. What an ass. Good riddance, hope to see you never.

Adam Royer on Rivals (1)

Adam Royer, the hothead from Real World Las Vegas (2011), debuted with his “vendetta” Leroy on Rivals 1. The rookie team won the opening daily, “High Dive,” beating legends Johnny, CT, Wes, Kenny, Evan, and Tyler in the process. Interestingly, the other newbie duo, Jasmine & Jonna, also earned a W here, over Evelyn, Laurel, Cara, Sarah, Camila, Paula, and Theresa.

Similar to V****, he got a little overexcited that night back at the house and into an altercation. This was the (in)famous “Don’t call me a guy, Ty” fight, where Adam bristled at being called a “guy,” so Ty rephrased it by asking, “Where’s that beautiful kid?” This apparently was way over the line, and Adam shoved Mandi out of the way (why does Mandi always get wrapped up with these drunken douchebag shenanigans?!) to throw a pathetic punch at Ty. Think of that smush Tina threw at Beth — that’s how bad it was. Tragic.

Adam R was promptly ejected from the game, never to return, because he failed the psych test and therefore was not cast the next season, Battle of the Exes, with Nany as his partner. You heard it here first — Adam walked so Paulie could run.

Jo on Gauntlet 2

Miss Jo Rhodes showed up out of literally nowhere on Gauntlet 2, nearly twelve years after her season of Real World: San Francisco. The original shocking debut on The Challenge, before Lacey (and less so, Devyn) many years later. Jo still takes the 🍰 tho.

The opening challenge on G2 was Royal Rumble, where everyone wrestled on a floating deck and tried to knock the other players off, with the last person standing becoming the Team Captain for the Veteran women, Vet men, Rookie gals, and Rook guys.

Jo won this for the Newbie Women and thus qualified for the nicer bedroom and bigger bed back at the Caribbean mansion. Everyone pops some bottles and carouses on the first night to let loose, meet each other, and have fun. This isn’t kosher for Jo, who apparently became a crotchety curmudgeon in the 12 years she was off TV, and she decides to call the police, claim she’s being “mAnHaNdLeD oN tHe IsLaNd oF TrInIdAd & ToBaGo !!1!” and quit the game.

This happened in the episode after Royal Rumble, since this was when they were 30 min shows, but it still counts here. It all went down in the same day ;)