Though The Challenge Season 39 has only just kicked off, it’s hard not to think ahead to the series’ monumental 40th season. It’s pretty amazing that the MTV competition show has gone on this long, especially considering how rough some of the earlier seasons were. We don’t yet know which competitors will be on The Challenge Season 40, but there are a few I’ve got my fingers crossed for.
The Challenge: Battle For a New Champion pivoted away from recent seasons, and instead of featuring an array of fan-favorite champs, this season’s goal is to crown a new champion. It’s an interesting and fresh deviation from the norm, but it’s probably not going to be the case for Season 40.
The last big “anniversary” season, The Challenge XXX: Dirty 30, was a huge deal for MTV. That season was packed with the dirtiest competitors to ever play the game, and the prize money was bumped up to a cool $1 million. It’s a safe bet that for Season 40, MTV will again be pulling out all the shots and upping the stakes.
One way to make Season 40 special is to once again cast popular players who have been competing for years. In fact, it’s my suspicion that Season 39 is specifically focused on competitors who haven’t won yet so many of the fan-favorite former champs have a season off to put their all into training.
If my assumptions are correct, these are the former competitors (not necessarily champions) who I’d love to see return for The Challenge Season 40.
Leroy Garrett
Ah, Leroy Garrett, the ultimate ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’ player. Leroy competed in a whopping 12 seasons of The Challenge and even made it to 5 finals. However, he was never able to secure the win that he was so desperate for. Leroy has been through a lot in his Challenge career, and it was heartbreaking to watch him always be so close, yet so far away from winning.
The last time fans saw Leroy was on Double Agents, and he was adamant that it would be his retirement season. Since then, Leroy and his fiancé Kam Williams (also a fierce Challenge competitor) welcomed their first child in 2022 and have a second on the way. Let’s be clear, it would be amazing to see Leroy and Kam compete together on Season 40, but with Kam currently pregnant, she probably won’t be back in shape in time.
Leroy may be busy with fatherhood, but he’s been documenting his impressive fitness journey on Instagram. Dare I say, he’s looking to ditch the dad bod in favor of a competition bod? I’d love to see Leroy take another shot at winning a final. He would be a truly surprising addition to the cast, and he’s already getting into fighting shape, so make it happen, MTV.
Cara Maria Sorbello
If there’s one female competitor who became synonymous with The Challenge, it’s Cara Maria Sorbello. The crimson-haired powerhouse has competed in 14 seasons, making it to 9 finals and winning twice. Those are impressive stats, and she’s cemented her status as one of the strongest female competitors the show has ever seen. Though she’ll reportedly be popping up in Season 39, it’s only as a guest elimination heavy hitter, and she won’t actually be competing in the season.
Cara Maria and MTV have had bad blood for a while, since the fan favorite last appeared on War of the Worlds II. However, her Season 39 appearance gives me hope that Cara Maria may be back in MTV’s good graces, and what better time to return than on Season 40!
CT Tamburello
CT Tamburello is undoubtedly one of the most iconic OG competitors on The Challenge. The man is an absolute beast, competing on 19 seasons, going to 10 finals, and winning half of those finals. CT even scored back-to-back wins in his last two seasons. He’s a formidable opponent who only seems to be getting better with age, and if there’s one former competitor MTV brings back for The Challenge Season 40, it should be CT.
CT sat out the past two seasons, instead focusing on starting an acting career and navigating a difficult divorce. But by the time Season 40 rolls around, CT might be willing to re-enter the game. If MTV truly wants to make The Challenge Season 40 a monumental event, they owe it to fans to bring back one of the biggest dogs to ever compete on the show.
Kyle Christie
Now, Kyle Christie may not be a popular pick, but there are a couple key reasons I’d like to see him return. First, the man is TV gold. He may not be the strongest or fastest competitor, but his ITMs were enormously entertaining. Kyle is self-deprecating and funny, while also being a snake who won’t hesitate to shake up the competition. It would be great to see Kyle compete again, just for entertainment purposes.
Kyle also recently welcomed his first child, and, call me a softie, but it would be nice to see him get the chance to win some extra money to help his family. He’s only been on 7 seasons, gone to 3 finals, and has never won. It’s a long shot that he would do well in the competition, but he deserves a chance—just like viewers deserve more of his epic soundbites.
Jenny West
Jenny West isn’t exactly a Challenge mainstay. She’s only competed on two seasons, but she made a big impact, especially on her second season, Total Madness. It’s no surprise that she’s a fierce competitor. Jenny was larger and stronger than most of fellow female competitors, and there were several daily and elimination challenges where she absolutely dominated.
Her most impressive performance was during the Total Madness final. The grueling, snowy final was intense, but Jenny absolutely killed it. She actually came in first, as in, the VERY first, beating all the other male and female competitors. Though the season awarded equal prize money to the male and female winners, I feel like MTV should have bent the rules and given Jenny the full pot—she definitely earned it.
Since Total Madness, Jenny has only gotten into more impressive shape. She would be an excellent addition to The Challenge Season 40, and would do a lot to help create a fierce competition atmosphere.
MTV made a big deal out of Dirty 30, and they should make an even bigger deal out of The Challenge Season 40. It’s a monumental season for the competition show, and it’s impressive that it’s been on the air for as long as it has while still remaining popular. Hopefully MTV stacks the cast with numerous strong competitors and fan favorites—including the ones I’ve listed above.
TELL US – WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE RETURN FOR THE CHALLENGE SEASON 40?
