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8 Challengers Who Will Become Challenge Champs After Season 40

Some of the best to never win.

By Dylan DeckardPublished 8 months ago Updated 8 months ago 3 min read
Tori and Devin Winning Ride or Dies / Photo by MTV

The Challenge is one of the best competition shows of all-time because it brings cast members back and we get to see them grow. It has been riveting seeing how Cara Maria has went from first eliminated on Fresh Meat II to Challenge Champ. Here is a list of 10 more challengers that I think will become champs after season 40.

There will be some notable people missing that I think would win but I'll explain why below...

  • Horacio Gutierrez Jr. (He has said he is done with The Challenge due to production on Battle of the Era's)
  • Nurys Mateo (Might never return with Horacio Gutierrez Jr.)
  • Joss Mooney (Rumor is he is not interested in returning.)

Michele Fitzgerald

Michele / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Survivor: Kaoh Rong

Best Finish: 3rd Place (Battle of the Era's)

Michele really impressed me on Battle of the Era's. She had 4 daily wins and 3 elimination wins. She was also in 2nd place until the jury voted Rachel Robinson to win. Getting 2nd place to Jenny West is not a bad thing. Michele will win a season and my guess will be it between seasons 41-45.

Theo Campbell

Theo / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Love Island UK 3

Best Finish: 2nd Place (War of the Worlds)

Theo was so close to winning War of the Worlds but lost to Turbo towards the end. He lost to the best competitor ever in Jordan Wiseley on War of the Worlds II and then lost to Johnny Bananas on Battle of the Era's. If Theo becomes a regular again he will become a multi-time Challenge Champion.

Kam Williams

Kam / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Are You The One? 4

Best Finish: 2nd Place (Double Agents)

Kam Williams is one of the best challengers to never win. She was so close on Double Agents but got 2nd place. Kam was impressive in the War of the Worlds II final but was purged out with a puzzle. Kam now has 2 kids so she won't be doing as many seasons but when she comes back she will always be a threat to win.

Kyle Christie

Kyle / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Geordie Shore 8

Best Finish: 2nd (Total Madness) & (Spies, Lies, & Allies)

Kyle has two 2nd place finishes. He lost to Johnny Bananas on Total Madness and Chris "CT" Tamburello on Spies, Lies, & Allies. One of these seasons he will get the win. He hasn't been seen since Spies, Lies, & Allies and there are rumors he won't be returning but I guess we'll wait and see.

Michaela Bradshaw

Michaela / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Survivor: Millennials vs Gen X

Best Finish: 3rd (USA 2)

Michaela did 1 season of flagship Challenge on MTV and was taken out early because it was a mixed gender elimination and Corey Lay dominated. Michaela came back on The Challenge: USA 2 and got 3rd place and would have got first if she played her hands differently with the ATV's and running station. Michaela will become a Challenge Champion again soon.

Derek Chavez

Derek / Photo by MTV

Original Show - The Real World: Cancun

Best Finish: 2nd (Battle of the Era's)

Derek would not have been on this list if it weren't for Battle of the Era's. He really impressed with his social game, won an elimination and got 2nd place. He would have won 1st if Jordan Wiseley wasn't in the final.

Olivia Kaiser

Olivia / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Love Island 3

Best Finish: 4th (Ride or Dies)

Olivia was so close to winning Ride or Dies but a golf ball took her out. Olivia has made it far on Battle for a New Champion and Battle of the Era's so there's a chance she gets to the final again. She has been working on endurance and other Challenge related things so her time is coming.

Cory Wharton

Cory / Photo by MTV

Original Show - The Real World: Ex-Plosion / Back to San Francisco

Best Finish: 2nd (Total Madness), (Double Agents) & (USA 2)

In my opinion Cory is the best male challenger to never win. He has three 2nd place finishes. He finished 3rd on Invasion of the Champions. He has gotten so close but just can't cross the finish line. One of these seasons he will though.

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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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