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The Challenge: Vets & New Threats Female Pre-Season Power Rankings

Tori and Kaycee aren't on so whose #1?

By Dylan DeckardPublished 7 months ago 6 min read
The Challenge: Vets & New Threats Cast / Photo by MTV

The 41st season of The Challenge is going to air soon and it's titled "Vets and New Threats." This season is going to see 16 veterans battle with 16 rookies. I'm surprised they're doing a half rookie season especially after they did it on War of the Worlds and then Double Agents and Spies, Lies, & Allies were almost half rookies as well. Battle for a New Champion was supposed to set up new veterans and it really didn't do that. We haven't seen the winner, Emanuel Neagu, since then. There are rumors that Nurys Mateo and Horacio Guterriez Jr are done with the show. They need more casting choices so that's why we are doing another season with half of the cast being rookies.

16. Adrienne Naylor

Adrienne / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Married at First Sight UK 8

ROOKIE

I'm excited for Adrienne but I really don't know what to expect from her and that's why she's at the bottom of this list. Are You The One? is another love show and they've provided Challenge Champions like Hunter Barfield and Devin Walker so maybe Adrienne can get far. It seems like The Challenge wants a blonde UK bombshell and since Georgia Harrison said she will never return and Gabby Dawn Allen didn't work out they are just going to keep trying.

15. Blue Kim

Blue / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Big Brother 25

ROOKIE

I have seen Blue's original show and wasn't impressed. She was tied with Jared Fields and they both didn't play the best game. I can see why The Challenge casted her because she is a unique personality but I don't see her doing well on The Challenge.

14. Izzy Faithorne

Izzy / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Too Hot To Handle 3

ROOKIE

I have also seen Izzy's original show. Too Hot To Handle is a just an off-brand version of Love Island in my opinion. She was liked on Too Hot To Handle 3 which I think will translate to The Challenge. I could see her trying to flirt with Bananas or Rogan to try and get far in the game.

13. Aneesa Ferreira

Aneesa / Photo by MTV

Original Show - The Real World: Chicago

Season: 18

  • Daily Wins: 35
  • Elimination Record: 14-14

Challenge Championships: 0

I'm not going to lie if I was in charge of casting I would not have casted Aneesa here. I would tried Nurys Mateo, Emily Schromm, Laurel Stucky, Amanda Garcia, Michele Fitzgerald, Desi Williams, Sarah Lacina, Jonna Mannion or someone else. I just don't think Aneesa has what it takes to win. I don't have her at the last position because she has connections so she won't be thrown in right away but she is not winning a final against any of the 12 woman ahead of her.

12. America Lopez

America / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Big Brother 25

ROOKIE

I think America is a sneaky pick to get to the final. She made it pretty far on Big Brother 25 but is known for playing a strategic game. I don't think she'll flirt to get to the end but she knows how to play the men in the house. I just worry about her in anything physical.

11. Leka Sodade

Leka / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Canada's Ultimate Challenge 2

ROOKIE

Leka is fit and this show seems perfect for her but I can see the other challengers targeting her because she is fit and has a chance to win. She is coming in with the least amount of connections and the only challenger from a Canadian show. I hope she makes it far but I think it's going to be an uphill battle.

10. Sydney Segal

Sydney / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Survivor 41

ROOKIE

I just believe people from Survivor are more trained for other shows than people from other reality shows. I can see Sydney getting far but I can also see her being targeted early because she is from Survivor and she is outspoken. This is one of the casting choices I didn't understand but I'm down to give her a chance.

9. Aviv Melmed

Aviv / Photo by MTV

Original Show - The Challenge: Fresh Meat

Season: 3

  • Daily Wins: 3
  • Elimination Record: 1-1

Challenge Championships: 1

  • Fresh Meat

Aviv was a surprise casting choice for Battle of the Eras. After all she only did 1 season of The Challenge and it was Fresh Meat around 20 years ago. She must have impressed production because they brought her back for 41. I think she can get far especially if she has Bananas' protection but I don't see her winning that many eliminations.

8. Tay Wilcoxson

Tay / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Big Brother Australia 15

ROOKIE

Tay won Big Brother but she won Big Brother in Australia and not the United States so she might not come in as a threat because a lot of people are unfamiliar with international shows. I think Tay is a sleeper pick to get far in this game.

7. Dee Valladares

Dee / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Survivor 45

ROOKIE

Dee won Survivor 45 in dominating fashion. She played one of the best winning games in Survivor history. I think she is set up for success on The Challenge and could become the face of the show one day. She is just good at shows like this. She could win as a rookie just like Amber Borzotra.

6. Nia Moore

Nia / Photo by MTV

Original Show - The Real World: Portland

Season: 4

  • Daily Wins: 4
  • Elimination Record: 4-2

Challenge Championships: 0

I love Nia! She is someone I know outside of the show and is a great person! I've had her on my podcast twice now and love that she is getting a chance to come back on the show. I think she could get far in a season like this but endurance is going to hurt her.

5. Nany Gonzalez

Nany / Photo by MTV

Original Show - The Real World: Back to Las Vegas

Season: 14

  • Daily Wins: 33
  • Elimination Record: 7-10

Challenge Championships: 0

Nany will most likely get to the final on this season but she won't win it. This is Nany's 14th flagship season and she has yet to win a Challenge Championship. She can get far but she just hasn't been able to get across the finish line and I don't see it happening with these 4 women in front of her.

4. Olivia Kaiser

Olivia / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Love Island USA 3

Season: 4

  • Daily Wins: 8
  • Elimination Record: 4-2

Challenge Championships: 0

Olivia is also someone I'm friends with outside of the show and can't wait to see her on this season. I think her without Nurys and Ravyn and Moriah and that Ride or Dies rookie crew will be interesting. I'd love to see how far she gets and to be honest if she plays her cards right she could win.

3. Ashley Mitchell

Ashley / Photo by MTV

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

Season: 10

  • Daily Wins: 19
  • Elimination Record: 4-5

Challenge Championships: 2

  • Invasion of the Champions
  • Final Reckoning

Ashley is back! The last time we saw her on the flagship was Spies, Lies, & Allies when she was disqualified for saying things to Josh Martinez. She was on All-Stars: Rivals but had no chance to win since she was partnered with Aneesa Ferreira. I think this is a bounce back season for Ashley and could see her getting her 3rd win.

2. Michaela Bradshaw

Michaela / Photo by MTV

Original Show - Survivor: Millennials vs Gen X

Season: 2

  • Daily Wins: 0
  • Elimination Record: 0-1

Challenge Championships: 0

If you are just looking at Michaela's stats for the flagship you'd be surprised why she's at #2. Michaela lost to Corey Lay in a physical elimination on Spies, Lies, & Allies which isin't fair. She killed it on USA 2 and should've won but chose to run instead of waiting for an ATV. I am expecting complete domination on this season.

1. Cara Maria Sorbello

Cara Maria / Photo by MTV

Original Show - The Challenge: Fresh Meat II

Season: 16

  • Daily Wins: 44
  • Elimination Record: 14-7

Challenge Championships: 2

  • Bloodlines
  • Vendettas

Cara Maria has to be the favorite to win. She was so close to making the final on her comeback season of Battle of the Eras. Cara Maria is one of the greatest female challengers of all-time. She'll have CT's protection this season and I can see her getting to the end and winning.

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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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