MTV's 'The Challenge': 50 best players of all time

Over the past 38 seasons (plus three All Stars, two USA, and one World Championship spin-offs) of MTV's reality competition series The Challenge, some players have risen to legend status via their athletic performance, impressive elimination record, or just by sheer force of will. Now that The Challenge: Ride or Dies has officially crowned two new champions, who has earned their spot in EW's The Challenge Hall of Fame? Scroll through the gallery to see the top 50 greatest players of all time.

50. Kendal Sheppard

The Challenge All Stars season 2 — MTV/Paramount +

Before All Stars began, Kendal had a spotless record. She won The Inferno, the only season she was ever on, and was undefeated in eliminations. And when she returned for the spin-offs over 15 years later, she proved herself to still be a powerhouse elimination threat but struggled with the house politics — and understanding how trivia works. She's hot-and-cold when it comes to the game.

No. of Seasons: 4
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 1
Elimination Wins: 3 of 5
Total Winnings: $33,500

49. MJ Garrett

THE CHALLENGE: ALL STARS MJ Garret — Laura Barisonzi/MTV ENTERTAINMENT/Paramount+

MJ made a splash when he won his first season on The Gauntlet 2, but after that, his time on The Challenge was short-lived and not all that memorable. When he returned to All Stars 2 more than a decade later, he made sure viewers would remember his name by taking home the top prize alongside Jonna Mannion.

No. of Seasons: 5
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 3 of 6
Total Winnings: $276,666

48. Veronica Portillo

Veronica is one of the earliest legends of the game. She was the first person to win three seasons, a record that no woman has ever broken (Evelyn Smith went on to tie it years later). A regular competitor back when the series often featured two large teams (as opposed to the frequent smaller team/pairs/individual format today), Veronica returned to The Challenge for Dirty 30, the first time she had been on the show since The Ruins in 2009. She was last seen on Ride or Dies.

No. of Seasons: 13
Seasons Won: 3
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 2 of 5
Total Winnings: $80,309

47. Jonna Mannion

THE CHALLENGE: USA — Jonna Mannion (Stephens). Jonne Roriz/Paramount

Jonna is the perfect example of how it's never too late to become not just a Challenge champion, but also a legend. While her first five seasons on the main franchise didn't amount to anything aside from relationship drama, her return seven years later for All Stars proved that she had not only grown up, but she also got serious about strategy as she and KellyAnne tied as the first two women to cross the finish line in the final. Then she accomplished something truly rare in this game as she won back-to-back seasons on All Stars 2 and 3, forever solidifying her status as a fierce competitor.

No. of Seasons: 9
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 4 of 9
Total Winnings: $500,000

46. Susie Meister

Susie is a sweet but subtle badass. No longer participating in The Challenge, she and Sarah Rice now host the Brain Candy Podcast and frequently discuss their reality show pasts.

No. of Seasons: 4
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 4 of 4
Total Winnings: $100,173

45. Yes Duffy

This fedora-loving Challenge beast from the early 2000s proved he's still got what it takes to compete two decades later when he won the first season of All Stars, dominating all the other players in the grueling two-day final and taking home half a million dollars. And yet, when he finally faced his first elimination in All Stars 3, he learned that there's a price to running your mouth ... particularly when going up against Wes Bergmann.

No. of Seasons: 5
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 0 of 1
Total Winnings: $511,254

44. Ruthie Alcaide

ranking the best players of The Challenge — Juan Cruz Rabaglia/MTV/Paramount+

Ruthie is tiny but fierce and she never quits, even when her opponent is three times her size. You always want Ruthie on your side because she's the true definition of a fighter.

No. of Seasons: 5
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 1 of 3
Total Winnings: $1,000

43. Kyle Christie

Kyle's made a reputation for himself as one of the biggest and messiest snakes in the game, frequently betraying his own friends and allies, but put him in an elimination and a switch gets flipped. He's one of the best Pole Wrestle competitors ever and he never gives up in a final. His rookie season he came in third place, and he finished Spies, Lies, and Allies only seconds behind first place. In the right season against the right players, Kyle might eventually win — if he can prove himself to be loyal to the right people.

No. of Seasons: 7
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 7 of 13
Total Winnings: $70,625

42. Devyn Simone

The most underestimated female player has a pretty impressive resume, making it to the final in both seasons she's competed in and boasting an undefeated elimination record (although, to be fair, she's only gone into elimination once). She placed third in both finals, but her will to finish and prove herself as an athlete was inspiring to watch, even if it wasn't intimidating to the other players.

No. of Seasons: 2
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 1 of 1
Total Winnings: $25,000

41. Theresa Jones

The Challenge Season 36 Double Agents — MTV

Theresa's stats are not impressive, but where she stands out is in daily challenges. As a partner, she would always hold her own. And when it comes to a political/social game? Well, she learned that from Wes.

No. of Seasons: 7
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 1
Elimination Wins: 2 of 9
Total Winnings: $41,500

40. Johnny Reilly

This Challenge newcomer had an impressive rookie season with Free Agents (thanks in equal part to the "luck of the Irish" and his physical skills), but bad partners resulted in less-than-stellar follow up seasons on Battle of the Exes II and Rivals III. If he ever does return to the franchise, look out for him to make a splash.

No. of Seasons: 3
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 1
Elimination Wins: 3 of 5
Total Winnings: $35,000

39. Coral Smith

Coral may not have begun her Challenge journey as much of a competitor, but she quickly improved. Thanks to her sharp tongue, became a fan-favorite many still miss today.

No. of Seasons: 6
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 2 of 2
Total Winnings: $73,000

38. Hunter Barfield

Yes, Hunter has won The Challenge. No, Hunter has not walked away with any prize money. That's all thanks to his partner Ashley Mitchell infamously following in Johnny Bananas' footsteps and stealing his share of their winnings after he slut-shamed her earlier in the season. But as a total physical performer, Hunter's an absolute beast in eliminations. His only downfalls? Puzzles, his own temper, and injuries that kept him from making the final in his best season yet on Dirty 30.

No. of Seasons: 4
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 4 of 6
Total Winnings: $0

37. Aneesa Ferreira

This longtime Challenge OG has yet to win a season, but her past elimination performances speak for themselves. Injuries have forced her to exit the show early multiple times, and her unfortunate streak of getting eliminated right before the final stayed strong for a long time, a brutal trend in her career that she finally broke on All Stars where, even though she finished the final in last place, she still finished. (She then suffered a brutal elimination during a final — and thanks to an injury — in Ride or Dies.) The question still remains: Does she have what it takes to actually win?

No. of Seasons: 17
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 14 of 27
Total Winnings: $62,071

36. Diem Brown

Diem's onscreen battle with cancer led to one of the most iconic moments of Challenge history when she removed her wig to compete in a water challenge. Her strength and determination in the game and in life before her death in 2014 cements her status as one of the best Challenge players of all time, despite never getting that champion title for herself.

No. of Seasons: 8
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 1 of 6
Total Winnings: $53,000

35. Jenna Compono

Jenna may not have any wins under her belt, but with her elimination record and number of trips to the final, it seems like it's only a matter of time before Barbie Beast gets her first victory.

No. of Seasons: 8
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 6 of 9
Total Winnings: $37,500

34. KellyAnne Judd

With elimination wins against many Challenge legends like Evelyn and Veronica, even though KellyAnne hasn't won a season (yet), she still deserves a spot on this list. Her performance alongside Sarah Rice on The Ruins — where the two women remaining on the Contenders team almost beat the powerhouse Champions team of Derrick Kosinski, Kenny Santucci, Evan Starkman, Johnny Bananas, and Susie Meister — speaks for itself.

No. of Seasons: 7
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 6 of 11
Total Winnings: $13,300

33. Kam Williams

You don't want to see Killer Kam in an elimination. The rookie started to make a name for herself immediately when her first three eliminations saw her take out Tori, Ashley, and Natalie. Tack on her excellent game strategy and you want her on your side.

No. of Seasons: 5
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 8 of 10
Total Winnings: $50,000

32. Leroy Garrett

Leroy's greatest downfall was that he was a nice guy, a lesson he learned far too late in his career. Sadly, he was never able to pull out a win, but throughout the years, he proved to be a great partner and teammate and delivered some of the best elimination performances the series has seen.

No. of Seasons: 12
Seasons Won: 0
Trips to the Final: 5
Elimination Wins: 9 of 14
Total Winnings: $36,500

31. Devin Walker

In his first season, Devin made the final with his partner Cheyenne only because they were the layup team. But he's come a long way since then, improving every season. He even took out Bananas in an elimination during Vendettas. As someone who's always been good at puzzles, Devin has worked on his endurance, his strategy, and his strength until finally, he took home the win with Tori Deal in Ride or Dies.

No. of Seasons: 7
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 6 of 8
Total Winnings: $451,500

30. Jenny West

Jenny's still fairly new to the game, but from her first season, it was clear she's a physical threat. And of the two finals she's participated in, she finished her second one before seven-time champ Johnny Bananas.

No. of Seasons: 2
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 3 of 4
Total Winnings: $500,000

29. Brad Fiorenza

Brad is a former Challenge legend who returned to the franchise for Vendettas and Final Reckoning, coming off his win in Cutthroat 10 years prior. After he was eliminated from All Stars 2, he returned with an impressive showing in All Stars 3, making it all the way to the end. But ultimately, he took second place.

No. of Seasons: 12
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 5
Elimination Wins: 7 of 13
Total Winnings: $75,000

28. Frank Sweeney

Frank is another excellent competitor whose time on The Challenge was short-lived. Currently undefeated in eliminations, he was only kicked off his third season, Free Agents, when he was diagnosed with a contagious viral infection and had to leave.

No. of Seasons: 3
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 3 of 3
Total Winnings: $80,000

27. Zach Nichols

Just look at Zach: With his size and speed, he should be much higher on this list. But time and time again, he let mistakes and ego get in the way of a win. He's still a threat, but only if he's not having to run up the side of a mountain.

No. of Seasons: 9
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 4 of 9
Total Winnings: $150,125

26. Kaycee Clark

Kaycee has already made quite the name for herself after a short career. She's the first Big Brother winner to win The Challenge and she's got a stellar elimination record. Her eventual first place finish alongside CT Tamburello in Spies, Lies, and Allies felt inevitable — with the right partner, of course (sorry not sorry to Fessy and her brother Kenny!).

No. of Seasons: 5
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 7 of 9
Total Winnings: $403,000

25. Mike "The Miz" Mizanin

Just imagine how many more wins the WWE Superstar — who sometimes returns to The Challenge to host reunion specials — would have now if he still competed. That elimination record is spotless!

No. of Seasons: 5
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 2 of 2
Total Winnings: $130,500

24. Tori Deal

In her very first season on Dirty 30, Tori more than earned the nickname Rookie of the Year. In War of the Worlds 2, she put up an incredible elimination performance, taking out Jenny in Hall Brawl, and if it weren't for a puzzle purge, likely would've been crowned a champion that season. She then finished in a close second in Spies, Lies, and Allies before finally getting a long overdue win with her partner, Devin Walker, in Ride or Dies. And she's just getting started.

No. of Seasons: 8
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 5
Elimination Wins: 5 of 8
Total Winnings: $454,000

23. Ashley Mitchell

Ashley is best known for taking the full million dollar prize from her Final Reckoning partner Hunter Barfield, but the real takeaway from that season is this: Ashley won that final. She beat Hunter. Because, so long as she can keep her temper in check and doesn't quit or get kicked off the show, she's a great competitor who's willing to put it all on the line to win.

No. of Seasons: 9
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 4 of 9
Total Winnings: $1,121,250

22. Paula Meronek

Paula wasn't always viewed as a great competitor, but over time, she really came into her own in the game. She'd go on to win twice, and yes, she had great partners in Evelyn and Emily, but she held her own.

No. of Seasons: 10
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 5
Elimination Wins: 5 of 10
Total Winnings: $126,000

21. Jodi Weatherton

A reliably tough competitor, Jodi became the first person to take home the grand prize in a season of The Challenge selecting a single male and female winner. And when she returned for All Stars 2 after 15 years, she proved that she still has what it takes to be a badass player, winning challenge after challenge and getting her first elimination win.

No. of Seasons: 5
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 2 of 5
Total Winnings: $176,666

20. Alton Williams

One of the nicest guys to ever play the game, Alton's record speaks for itself, as he made it to four out of five finals. Plus, no one has ever climbed a net faster than Alton.

No. of Seasons: 5
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 6 of 7
Total Winnings: $50,666

19. Tyler Duckworth

Tyler successfully translated his past as a competitive swimmer into being quite the competitive Challenge player, winning his last two seasons on the main franchise in a row. But despite his undeniable performance, he wasn't invited back for 10 years until All Stars 2 and 3, where an unfortunate partner pairing and injury resulted in his eliminations.

No. of Seasons: 6
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 2
Elimination Wins: 4 of 8
Total Winnings: $92,000

18. Camila Nakagawa

So long as she doesn't lose her cool and become "the Camilanator," Camila is a solid competitor who is always willing to push herself to her limits. One thing is certain: Camila won't quit.

No. of Seasons: 10
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 9 of 13
Total Winnings: $561,250

17. Abram Boise

Abram is one of the most-feared competitors purely because of his high-energy, wild personality and his unpredictable nature. It doesn't matter whether he's on your own team or the opposing side, he's simply terrifying — especially in an elimination.

No. of Seasons: 9
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 2 of 4
Total Winnings: $103,500

16. Mark Long

Mark was a member of the first cast of Road Rules in 1995 and went on to compete on The Challenge all the way through 2012. And in 2015, he said he'd be open to coming out of retirement despite his age — that dream came true when he not only developed and produced the All Stars spin-off, but also competed and made it to the final on All Stars 1 and 3. Age ain't nothing but a number, clearly!

No. of Seasons: 8
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 6
Elimination Wins: 3 of 5
Total Winnings: $81,184

15. Rachel Robinson

Rachel was often at the center of quite a bit of drama — especially when it came to her BFF/mean girl partner-in-crime Veronica Portillo, as well as her ex Aneesa Ferreira — but the fierce competitor often came out on top.

No. of Seasons: 7
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 1 of 3
Total Winnings: $135,555

14. Evan Starkman

Evan became fast friends with Kenny Santucci — and thus fast enemies with Wes Bergmann — during Fresh Meat and the pair went on to dominate for many, many seasons through impressive physical performances ... and a lot of problematic bullying.

No. of Seasons: 6
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 4 of 6
Total Winnings: $150,970

13. Kenny Santucci

The rivalry between Kenny — or Mr. Beautiful (as he calls himself) — and Wes Bergmann was the stuff of Challenge legend, and set the precedent for the politicking and alliances still alive today. Plus it gave fans one of the best pairings in history during Rivals (Wes and Kenny were robbed of that win, don't even get us started on the injustice of that final). But despite the fact that Kenny hasn't been on the show in over a decade, his record speaks for itself.

No. of Seasons: 8
Seasons Won: 3
Trips to the Final: 7
Elimination Wins: 5 of 7
Total Winnings: $235,970

12. Cara Maria Sorbello

After a bad first season on Fresh Meat 2, Cara Maria returned with a vengeance, winning second place in her next two seasons and eventually winning two seasons. And over the years, she developed an impressive elimination record (despite everyone gunning for her in Free Agents). To this day, she's still the only female solo winner of The Challenge.

No. of Seasons: 14
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 9
Elimination Wins: 13 of 19
Total Winnings: $602,250

11. Evelyn Smith

You wouldn't want to cross small and mighty Evelyn in or out of the house. She has the most wins out of any female to ever compete on The Challenge, and she left the franchise at the top of her game, winning her last season.

No. of Seasons: 7
Seasons Won: 3
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 6 of 9
Total Winnings: $167,000

10. Derrick Kosinski

Winning The Challenge takes heart, and no one has more heart than Derrick. If there was ever an underdog to put your money on, it's Derrick, who has pulled off some of the series' most impressive defeats, including taking Joss down in what was essentially a Pole Wrestle despite being half his size.

No. of Seasons: 13
Seasons Won: 3
Trips to the Final: 6
Elimination Wins: 10 of 17
Total Winnings: $210,970

9. Wes Bergmann

Relentlessly cocky, Wes is the guy everyone loves to hate and we just love to love. His manipulative political game can't be denied, but it started to get him into more trouble than wins as time went on, leading to him finally putting aside his rivalry with Johnny Bananas for a secret "unholy alliance" along with his decision to play "possum" in Total Madness. It worked ... for Bananas, who ended up winning that season. But Wes proved that he was still making his comeback by going on to win his third title on All Stars 3.

No. of Seasons: 16
Seasons Won: 3
Trips to the Final: 6
Elimination Wins: 15 of 25
Total Winnings: $553,000

8. Laurel Stucky

Laurel came in hot, winning second place in her first three seasons and taking first place in her fourth (despite Zach's cramping legs). She also won her first nine eliminations. Bottom line: You don't want to go against Laurel, not even if you're her best friend. Right, Cara Maria?

No. of Seasons: 7
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 4
Elimination Wins: 10 of 13
Total Winnings: $201,000

7. Sarah Rice

The puzzle queen's winnings would be significantly higher if not for her Rivals III partner Johnny Bananas, who famously opted to steal her half of the grand prize. She has not returned to the show since, which is a tragedy since she's one of the best women to ever compete on this franchise. It took her a long time to get her first championship thanks to some back luck with partners but her performance in her very first season — The Ruins, where she and KellyAnne Judd almost beat the powerhouse Champions team of Derrick Kosinski, Kenny Santucci, Evan Starkman, Johnny Bananas, and Susie Meister — foreshadowed her eventual iconic legacy as one of the best competitors of all time.

No. of Seasons: 9
Seasons Won: 2
Trips to the Final: 5
Elimination Wins: 6 of 8
Total Winnings: $173,700

6. Darrell Taylor

A former Golden Gloves boxer, Darrell competes like his two kids' college funds depend on it. And he's a nice guy to boot. He still holds the record for most consecutive wins with four in a row, and he'd never been in a final that he didn't win… until All Stars, when he came in second twice in a row. Can he ever get that elusive fifth win?

No. of Seasons: 14
Seasons Won: 4
Trips to the Final: 6
Elimination Wins: 8 of 14
Total Winnings: $248,055

5. Emily Schromm

Emily's only downfall is that she didn't do enough seasons of The Challenge. But she made the final of every season she did and remains undefeated in eliminations. Her resume might not be long, but if Emily's in the game, rest assured she's the strongest female in the house.

No. of Seasons: 3
Seasons Won: 1
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 5 of 5
Total Winnings: $104,000

4. Landon Lueck

Landon was only on four seasons, but it's hard to argue with someone who made three out of four finals and turned in one of the most impressive final performances ever, literally pushing his partner up the side of a mountain. But finals aside, Landon was a constant threat in each and every challenge and elimination. His skill is only matched by his ability to stay cool, calm, and collected.

No. of Seasons: 4
Seasons Won: 3
Trips to the Final: 3
Elimination Wins: 5 of 6
Total Winnings: $184,166

3. Jordan Wiseley

If Jordan is on a season, he's one of the biggest threats in the house. It's that simple. His endurance is ridiculous, but what makes him a great competitor is his strategy and his ability to look at a challenge and come up with something no one else thinks of. He also refuses to quit. That's how he's delivered incredible elimination wins, taking down guys twice his size, from defeating Josh Martinez in a tug-of-war (with one hand!) in War of the Worlds 2 to outlasting Darrell Taylor in a physical challenge in All Stars 3. And then winning the first Global Championship was a nice addition to his already intimidating resumé!

No. of Seasons: 9
Seasons Won: 4
Trips to the Final: 6
Elimination Wins: 12 of 18
Total Winnings: $1,126,000

2. Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio

If we're talking wins, Bananas is the champ. But this ranking isn't just about wins, which is why he's the close second. The seven-time champion — the most of any Challenger — is an undeniable threat every time he shows up on a season. Both physically and politically, Bananas knows how the game is played, and if he can just keep the target off his back, he'll likely make it to the final. (And if he gets the chance, he's taking your money.)

No. of Seasons: 22
Seasons Won: 7
Trips to the Final: 10
Elimination Wins: 13 of 28
Total Winnings: $1,184,720

1. Chris "CT" Tamburello

This five-time champion may not have the most wins (he's two behind Johnny Bananas), but you can't deny that CT is the ultimate Challenge GOAT. From his early days when he couldn't control his temper, frequently getting kicked off for brutal fights, to now as a 43-year-old dad who is at the top of his game with back-to-back wins on his two most recent seasons, CT is the most-feared competitor of all time — Rivals is still clear evidence of that. And it's not hard to understand why — whether it's a physical headbanger elimination, a cerebral puzzle, or a marathon-style final run, he's the whole package of brains, brawn, and endurance. Plus, his in-house political game is flawless — everyone knows if you let this man get to the final, he's taking home the win, and yet he keeps manipulating everyone into keeping him around regardless. There is no one, past, current, and probably even future, who is better than CT.

No. of Seasons: 19
Seasons Won: 5
Trips to the Final: 10
Elimination Wins: 6 of 11
Total Winnings: $1,365,000