Favorite Male Challengers According to the Sub (2023 Edition)
So a couple weeks ago I posted this post asking members of this sub to rank their favorite men and women. This list is for the men, for the women go here. Without anything else to go over, here is the list:
25. Turabi "Turbo" Çamkıran (Survivor Turkey 8)
24. Troy Cullen (Australian Ninja Warrior 4)
23. Jay Starrett (Survivor: Millennials vs Gen X)
22. Zach Nichols (RW: San Diego 2)
20. Timmy Beggy (RR: USA 2nd Adventure) and Horacio Gutiérrez (Exatlón Estados Unidos 5)
19. Tony Raines (RW: Skeletons)
18. Kenny Santucci (Fresh Meat)
17. Tyson Apostol (Survivor: Tocantins)
16. Nelson Thomas (AYTO? 3)
15. Shane Landrum (RR: Campus Crawl)
14. Cohutta Grindstaff (RW: Sydney)
13. Mike "The Miz" Mizanin (RW: Back to New York)
12. Cory Wharton (RW: Ex-Plosion)
11. Devin Walker (AYTO? 3)
10. Derrick Kosinski (Road Rules: X-Treme)
Debut Season: Battle of the Sexes 2
Latest Season: All Stars 3
Upcoming Season: N/A
Last Year’s Ranking: #11
Peak: #4
Derrick has risen back into the top 10 after missing last year. Some have not been the biggest fans of his appearances on All Stars but Derrick has remained a scrappy underdog throughout his time on the show. He’s also known for his incredible determination and grit in some of the most epic eliminations in the show’s history. And he has continued to be the co-host of one of most popular Challenge podcasts so even if his next appearance is a long wait he will remain a staple in this community.
9. Brad Fiorenza (Real World: San Diego)
Debut Season: Battle of the Sexes 2
Latest Season: All Stars 3
Upcoming Seasons: Battle for a New Champion (as a mercenary)/All Stars 4
Last Year’s Ranking: #10
Peak: #9
After spending a few years floating around just outside of the top 10, Brad has risen to a new peak each of the last two years. He had not been on the show for eight years between his appearances on Cutthroat and Vendettas but recently Brad has become a staple of the show once again appearing on AS2 & AS3. He’s been an unlucky competitor across his challenge career, coming close to winning it all multiple times. His only win came on a fan favorite season, Cutthroat. He most recently went toe to toe with Wes in the final for All Stars 3, showing he still has what it takes to be one of the top guys the show has to offer.
8. Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio (Real World: Key West)
Debut Season: The Duel
Latest Season: USA 2
Upcoming Season: N/A
Last Year’s Rankings: #7
Peak: #6
Jonathan Plantains still remains a staple on these rankings after appearing on the last three seasons, following a brief hiatus after his record seventh win on Total Madness. Love him or hate him, you gotta respect him as one one of the most consistently great performers in the history of the show. He has added on two more finals appearances to his already impressive resume despite being an obvious threat throughout the game. Bananas will undoubtably go down as a first ballot Challenge hall of famer with a legacy as big as his ego.
7. Kyle Christie (Geordie Shore)
Debut Season: Vendettas
Latest Season: Spies, Lies & Allies
Upcoming Season: N/A
Last Year’s Ranking: #8
Peak: #7
Kyle is one of the most stable entrants in these rankings. He has always maintained great commentary throughout his time on the show, and has shown great tenacity and heart as a competitor. After taking time off following his narrow defeat on SLA, he has been focusing on starting a family. Though we have no current indication on when he will show his face on our screens again, one would have to think it’ll be sooner rather than later.
6. Leroy Garrett (Real World: Las Vegas 2)
Debut Season: Rivals
Latest Season: Double Agents
Upcoming Season: All Stars 4
Last Year’s Ranking: #5
Peak: #5
Despite being one of the few challengers to officially announce a retirement on the show, Leroy will be returning for the yet to air All Stars 4. Since his debut on Rivals Leroy has been feared as one of toughest challengers in physical competition in the shows history. In recent seasons he’s been using his likability and alliance with Kam to grow a great social game which has allowed him to get to the final in 3 out of his last 4 seasons. Him and Kam have also shown to be a fan favorite couple and are expecting baby #2. He is often viewed by many as one of the best to never win, if not #1 in that regard. Maybe All Stars 4 will prove to be his moment and if not, then hopefully he won’t retire permanently as I’m sure he will be missed if he never graces our screens again.
5. Landon Lueck (Real World: Philadelphia)
Debut Season: The Inferno 2
Latest Season: Fresh Meat 2
Upcoming Season: N/A
Last Year’s Ranking: #6
Peak: #3
Landon returns to the top 5 after missing it for the first time in last years ranking. Landon showed throughout his time on the show to not only be an all time great competitor but also someone who creates a really positive vibe during his time competing. Despite his low number of seasons, Landon has remained in the GOAT conversation even now. His impressive showings on every season he’s appeared on make Landon maybe the most consistent performer the show has ever seen. With moments including an all time great win on Fresh Meat 2, one of the best season’s for someone who didn’t make the final in The Duel 2 and one of the most impressive rookie seasons ever with The Inferno 2. There’s been some talk of Landon coming back for an All Stars season but time will tell if the stars align for that to happen.
4. Darrell Taylor (Road Rules: Campus Crawl)
Debut Season: The Gauntlet
Latest Season: Ride or Dies
Upcoming Season: Battle for a New Champion (as a mercenary)
Last Year’s Ranking: #4
Peak: #3
Darrell’s streak of winning his first four seasons is a record that likely will never be matched. He has struggled to win after those - going home due to fighting close to the end on The Ruins and losing in an elimination to CT on Invasion right before the final while also having disappointing seasons on Fresh Meat 2 and Dirty 30. Coming on to All Stars has revitalized his career though. He’s gotten extremely close to winning the first two seasons of it and has felt more comfortable with peers closer in age on there rather than the main show. Darrell’s fifth win is something that has eluded him since his fourth season but even if he doesn’t get that, his challenge legacy will always hold strong as one of the best to ever compete on the show.
3. Jordan Wiseley (Real World: Portland)
Debut Season: Rivals 2
Latest Season: World Championship
Upcoming Season: Battle for a New Champion (as a mercenary)
Last Year’s Ranking: #3
Peak: #3
While Jordan feels like a challenger who many aren’t the craziest over due to his cocky and brash attitude, his skills in a majority of the challenges and his competitiveness wins far more fans over than it turns away. Despite having a disadvantage in many challenges due to his disability, Jordan has never let that stop him. After picking up a fourth win on World Championship, he’s now going on BfaNC as a mercenary and will likely come back as a regular cast member soon. Some could argue that he is the GOAT due to his impressive wins in eliminations and finals. Time will be the judge on if he can match Bananas’s record for most wins all time.
2. Wes Bergmann (Real World: Austin)
Debut Season: Fresh Meat
Latest Season: USA 2
Upcoming Season: N/A
Last Year’s Ranking: #1
Peak: #1
Since his return on War of the Worlds, Wes has had his ups and downs but has overall strengthened his legacy as, if not one of the most physically impressive challengers then certainly one of the most entertaining challengers in the show’s history. Known for his use of social politics, his big brain moves and his many elimination victories Wes is always a threat to win any season he appears on. Despite announcing his retirement, many speculate and hope he goes back on his word and returns to continue his legendary run on the show. Congrats on the new baby Wes, we’re sure you’ll be a great dad!
1. Chris "CT" Tamburello (Real World: Paris)
Debut Season: The Inferno
Latest Season: Spies, Lies & Allies
Upcoming Season: Battle for a New Champion (as a mercenary)
Last Year’s Ranking: #2
Peak: #1
Returning to the top spot is CT, even after not appearing on a season for close to two years now. CT and Wes have flip flopped the top spot these past couple years but still, CT has managed to get the edge in the closest voting ever of #1. CT has had one of the greatest story arcs in reality television history going from the young and tough hot head to the fatherly man of great wisdom and puzzle mastery we know him as today. His storyline with Diem (RIP) is one of the biggest bright spots in the show’s history. After getting his fifth win, as well as his fourth win in his past eight seasons, CT has taken a bit of a hiatus to likely deal with personal matters. Aging like a fine wine he seems to get even better with age. He’s set to make an appearance on this upcoming season as a mercenary, and will hopefully show everyone once again why he smashes heads and eats them.
So those are the men. Sorry if you didn’t see the post and didn’t vote, there’s always next year. Leave your thoughts down below, any surprises? Or anyone higher or lower than expected?
Also go check out the women’s list and leave your thoughts there.
Posted Oct 17, 2023, 8:14 PM UTC