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8 Best Rookie Seasons on MTV's The Challenge

Some have become Challenge Champions

By Dylan DeckardPublished 7 months ago 3 min read
Team San Diego on Battle of the Seasons (2012) / Photo by MTV

The Challenge is an interesting show because every season it pairs veteran players with rookies and tells them to battle it out for money. Other shows will just do rookies or veterans so it is impressive when rookies make it far. This is my list of the best rookie seasons of all-time.

8. Jordan Wiseley & Marlon Williams - Rivals II

Marlon and Jordan

Original Shows - The Real World: Portland

Place on Rivals II - 3rd

Daily Wins: 1

Elimination Record: 2-0

Jordan and Marlon are the only team on this list and it's because they were Rivals on Rivals II. They won 1 daily challenge and won 2 eliminations. One of my favorite eliminations is Jordan and Marlon vs Leroy and Ty in a Hall Brawl. If you haven't seen it please go and watch.

7. Tori Deal - Dirty 30

Tori / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Are You The One? 4

Place on Dirty 30 - 3rd

Daily Wins: 3

Elimination Record: 1-0

Tori came in with a boyfriend on Dirty 30. He left pretty early and she found her footing in the game. She got close with Jordan Wiseley and they got to the finals together. Tori had 3 daily wins and an elimination win which is impressive. It was her first final and she was against Challenge Champs in Camila Nakagawa and Cara Maria Sorbello so you can't blame her too much for getting 3rd place.

6. Kam Williams - Vendettas

Kam / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Are You The One? 4

Place on Vendettas - Purged in Final

Daily Wins: 1

Elimination Wins: 3

Kam had one of the best rookie seasons ever as she beat 2 mercenaries in eliminations in Tori Deal and Ashley Mitchell. Ashley was a Champ at the time and Tori is now a Champ so this really proves how great she is. She wasn't ready for a final and that shows as she was purged out. I just can't believe she still hasn't won yet.

5. Theo Campbell - War of the Worlds

Theo / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Love Island UK 3

Place on War of the Worlds - 2nd

Daily Wins: 5

Elimination Wins: 1

Theo had 5 daily wins in his rookie season. He was partnered with Cara Maria Sorbello who is one of the best but he made it to the final during the individual portion. Theo was so close to winning his rookie season but ran into another rookie.

4. Wes Bergmann & Casey Cooper - The Duel

Wes and Casey / Photo by MTV

Original Shows -

  • Wes - The Real World: Austin
  • Casey - The Challenge: Fresh Meat

Place on The Duel - 3rd

Daily Wins: 0

Elimination Wins: 5

To go 5-0 in eliminations as a rookie/rookie duo is hard. Wes and Casey did it. I know Wes carried this team but you have to give credit to Casey as well. They made it to the final and got 3rd place.

3. Frank Sweeney - Battle of the Seasons (2012)

Frank / Photo by MTV

Original Show - The Real World: Back to San Diego

Place on Battle of the Seasons (2012) - 1st

Daily Wins: 4

Elimination Wins: 1

I know I just put Wes and Casey together on this list but I'm putting Frank by himself. Frank was the leader of this team and ran the political aspect of the game. To lead the political game as a rookie is impressive even if it's a mostly newby season. He also has 4 daily wins and 1 elimination win.

2. Amber Borzotra - Double Agents

Amber / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Big Brother 16

Place on Double Agents - 1st

Daily Wins: 1

Elimination Wins: 2

Amber won a recent season of The Challenge which is so impressive. There was 15 women on this cast and for her to win against the likes of Tori Deal, Kam Williams, Kaycee Clark, and Lolo Jones is impressive. She had 2 elimination wins and stayed out of the drama. It's also impressive that CT did not carry her in the final. She held her own especially with the running. If you don't rememeber please go back and watch. She was calling out "CT hurry up!"

1. Turbo Camkiran - War of the Worlds

Turbo / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Survivor Turkey 8

Place on War of the Worlds - 1st

Daily Wins: 6

Elimination Wins: 0

To have 6 daily wins and not be sent into an elimination as a rookie is impressive. It's also impressive that he dominated the final as a rookie. Turbo had the best rookie season of all-time. In my opinion there is no debate.

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Dylan Deckard is a content creator, podcast host, and blogger. He talks about reality TV, Grey's Anatomy and more. Please click the links below...

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About the Creator

Dylan Deckard

Chillin with Dylan Podcast on all podcast platforms.

Charleston, South Carolina

@thedylandeckard on Instagram

@dylan.deckard on TikTok

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