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

The Challenge is back for its 41st season its Vets and New Threats. It seems like the vets and rookies will be pairing together like War of the Worlds. I do like that idea as it makes some rookies stay longer. This theme was on War of the Worlds and we got some amazing rookies. I already made a pre-season power rankings for the females on the show but this will be the pre-season male list.

16. Justin Hinsley

Original Show - Cheer

ROOKIE

Justin is a rookie from Cheer on Netflix. I have never seen this show so I don't know much about him. To be honest I am excited to see what he can bring to the show. He looks smaller than some of the other competitors and that's why I have him so low. He is also from Netflix which is a different entity than CBS talent.

15. Jake Cornish

Original Show - Love Island UK 7

ROOKIE

Jake is coming from Love Island UK 7. Love Island is the biggest show in the world right now but it's been a while since Jake was on the show. Love Island UK is on its 12th season now. I can just see him being targeted early for being a rookie and for being from the UK.

14. Will Gagnon

Original Show - Are You The One? 9

Rookie

I am so excited to see another "Are You The One" member on The Challenge. "Are You The One" has given us Amanda Garcia, Tori Deal, Kam Williams, Devin Walker, Hunter Barfield, and Nelson Thomas. I am wondering if Will can become one of the latest Are You The One stars to be on multiple seasons of The Challenge. The only issue is he is the only person from "Are You The One" on this season and might be targeted for lack of allies.

13. Gabe Wai

Original Show - WWE NXT

ROOKIE

Gabe is a rookie with only around 5,000 followers. I'm not one to base my rankings off of Instagram but he doesn't have experience on television or with thousands of people following him. He didn't make it through WWE's training pipeline (NXT) and is now joining The Challenge. In theory WWE superstars should be set up for success on The Challenge but Lio Rush was on Double Agents and didn't do that well.

12. Yeremi Hykel

Original Show - The Amazing Race 35

ROOKIE

I usually watch The Amazing Race but I've skipped the last few seasons. I have not seen Yeremi's season but he just looks like he would thrive on The Challenge. He didn't do that well on The Amazing Race getting 9th place but this show is a different vibe.

11. Ben Davis

Original Show - Boxer

ROOKIE

To be honest I don't know where to put Ben. He's been a boxer but has recently been an announcer more. This casting choice just doesn't make sense. I could see him being first boot or winning as a rookie. He is just a wildcard.

10. Leonardo Dionicio

Original Show - Love Island USA 5

ROOKIE

I'm loving that we get another person from Love Island. This is the biggest show on TV right now and Leonardo was a huge part of his season. His relationship with Kassy was so messy. I don't know how he'll do but it will definitely be interesting to see some Peacock stars come over to The Challenge.

9. Cedric Hodges

Original Show - Big Brother 26

ROOKIE

I have Cedric as the highest rated rookie because I think he is best set up for success. He is athletic but can also play a strategic game. He was taken out early because he played too hard too quick on Big Brother but I think he'll learn from that experience.

8. Rogan O' Connor

Original Show - Ex on the Beach UK 2

Season: 4

Daily Wins: 5

Elimination Record: 2-1

Challenge Championships: 1

• War of the Worlds II

We haven't seen Rogan since Total Madness. I'm not going to lie he did impress me on that season. He came off of his win on War of the Worlds II and won some eliminations and got to the final. I think he might have let Bananas win that elimination in the final but still he was impressive. He just hasn't played in a while so that is why he's this low.

7. Derek Chavez

Original Show - The Real World: Cancun

Season: 5

Daily Wins: 4

Elimination Record: 2-3

Challenge Championships: 0

Derek got 2nd place on Battle of the Eras and did a fantastic job in the final. He was able to stay under the radar and get to the end but I don't think he'll be able to do that this season. People know that he can run in finals now so he might be targeted for that. If he goes into a physical elimination I am betting against him.

6. Derrick Kosinski

Original Show - Road Rules: X-Treme

Season: 12

Daily Wins: 43

Elimination Record: 13-6

Challenge Championships: 3

• The Inferno III
• The Island
• The Ruins

Derrick is a 3-time Challenge Champion and I have him on my list for top 10 male challengers of all-time but he hasn't won in more than 15 years. He had some impressive elimination wins on Battle of the Eras but his strategic game is not as good as others.

5. Leroy Garrett

Original Show - The Real World: Back to Las Vegas

Season: 14

Daily Wins: 25

Elimination Record: 9-6

Challenge Championships: 0

Leroy said he was going to retire after getting 3rd place on Double Agents. After that we saw him on The Challenge All-Stars: Rivals and Battle of the Eras. He didn't do well on either season. I have Leroy this high up because he is so likeable and likely to make a final. I don't know if he'll win a final but I can see him getting there.

4. Theo Campbell

Original Show - Love Island UK 3

Season: 4

Daily Wins: 10

Elimination Record: 5-2

Challenge Championships: 0

Theo got 2nd place his rookie season of War of the Worlds. He almost won the hardest final of all-time. He then lost on War of the Worlds II to Jordan Wiseley and on Battle of the Eras to Johnny Bananas. He lost in 2 eliminations to 2 of the 3 greatest challengers of all-time. I can see a redemption season for Theo here especially since he is coming in with his girlfriend, Olivia Kaiser.

3. Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio

Original Show - The Real World: Key West

Season: 23

Daily Wins: 70

Elimination Record: 15-14

Challenge Championships: 7

• The Island
• The Ruins
• Rivals
• Exes
• Free Agents
• Rivals III
• Total Madness

Johnny Bananas is a 7 time Challenge Champion. His last 3 seasons were Total Madness (1ST), Ride or Dies (2nd), and Battle of the Eras (3rd). He is constantly making the final. I don't see him as the favorite because there is always a chance someone tries to make a big move and send him home but he has support from Leroy and probably CT.

2. Turbo Camkiran

Original Show - Survivor Turkey 8

Season: 4

Daily Wins: 13

Elimination Record: 0-1

Challenge Championships: 1

• War of the Worlds

Turbo won the hardest final of all-time. He came back on War of the Worlds II and was disqualified. He didn't do well on Ride or Dies because of his strategic game. I can see him trying to lay low this season and since Cara Maria is back he'll have an ally. For some reason I just see Turbo having an amazing season and winning 5 dailies and 5-6 eliminations.

1. Chris "CT" Tamburello

Original Show - The Real World: Paris

Season: 21

Daily Wins: 56

Elimination Record: 6-6

Challenge Championships: 5

• Rivals II
• Invasion of the Champions
• War of the Worlds II
• Double Agents
• Spies, Lies, & Allies

CT has to be the favorite. He is a 5-time Challenge Champion and his back to back wins on Double Agents and Spies, Lies, & Allies might be the most impressive two seasons ever. He didn't do too well on Battle of the Eras but I can see him skating to the end of this season and dominating the final.

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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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