The end is getting closer, two people will leave, and some people will be introduced to an ugly Challenge staple: Height over water. Keep in mind, this is just a roundup of the most prominent Challengers, not a full recap. The full episode is up on Paramount+, so you can stream it over there.
10. Tori Deal
While Tori did not win individual immunity this episode, her name was thrown around quite a bit. Michaela wanted to make her the direct vote, then people wanted to put her into the Hopper. While she did get two balls, her allies continue having her back, and she was safe this week.
9. Desi Williams
Desi almost won Go the Distance, but she was safe after Michaela got the victory. However, she showed her loyalty in this episode when she swayed Michaela not to betray Tori by making her the direct vote.
8. Tyler Crispen
The tides have turned this week. While Tyler finds himself safe, he needs to coach Alyssa as she goes into her first Arena. But, the Arena was kind to him. He received seven out of 12 male votes, but his ball wasn’t pulled. It wasn’t so kind to Alyssa, who narrowly lost Ripped Off.
7. Faysal Shafaat
As the winner of Go the Distance, Faysal has power (and immunity) again. This week, he plays smart by picking the names that offer the least resistance: Alyssa S. and Chris.
6. Alyssa Snider
After a poor performance in Go the Distance, Faysal feels he has no issue sending Alyssa into The Arena, so she becomes the direct female vote. She’s upset, but Tyler helps her mentally prepare. She feels good playing Ripped Off, and she has a solid strategy, but she couldn’t defeat Cassidy’s scrappy gameplay.
5. Cassidy Clark
It feels like nobody is aligned with Cassidy, and she wound up with nine balls at the Hopper — and luck wasn’t on her side. She felt betrayed and hoped to channel her anger into Ripped Off, but Alyssa had a height advantage. Despite this, Cassidy is scrappy, and she pulled off one more patch than Alyssa, securing the win.
4. Josh Martinez
The final is close, and Josh is desperate to run one for the first time. While he likes to pretend that he’s close with Wes, he’d rather not run against Wes in the final. So, he selects Wes’ ball during the secret vote, which weighs heavily on his conscience. It’s not clear Josh is so upset — Wes claims he’ll never have any type of relationship with Josh.
3. Michaela Bradshaw
Michaela entered this episode trying to start a new slate with her Survivor alliance — including Chris, and she performed well during Go the Distance until fear overtook her. But, she persevered and took home her first individual victory. With her power, she starts toying with the idea of sending Tori into elimination, but her allies insist this isn’t a wise move. After talking with Faysal, Michaela sends in Chris (despite her offer to work with him) and Alyssa S. Now, her goal is to create the easiest path to the final.
2. Wes Bergmann
During Go the Distance, Wes was the only male who missed his first baton. This made him vulnerable, and to his surprise, he gets three votes at the Hopper. Despite this being a minority, his ball gets pulled. Wes put in a good score during Rip Off, and he thought he had a winning strategy. Then, he fell into Chris’ trap and got eliminated — perhaps for the last time in his Challenge career.
1. Chris Underwood
Chris is back in the house after a chaotic week last week. He vows to work with the Survivor alliance and be transparent, but it’s too little too late. Michaela and Faysal make him the direct male vote, but this week he handles the news with much more poise. Then, he sets his target on the vets. This gets Wes a few votes, and that’s enough to get him into The Arena. So, Chris’ plan was put into motion. Then, Chris trapped Wes and removed all of Wes’ patches in Ripped Off, giving him another win.
Stop Being Polite 