Battle of the Eras is over, and the two three winners have been revealed — but they’re not the only ones who had a great season. Many other people found success on season 40 which will enhance their reputation.
The “winners” on this list are people who made notable achievements on Battle of the Eras but didn’t get the crown. So, Jordan, Rachel, and Jenny are exempt from this list. Instead, I’m focusing on the people who had notable, positive moments during the season.
10. Tina Barta
Coming in as one of the few Era 1 players without a championship, Tina established a level of dominance on her team fairly quickly. Her shining moment came on episode 5 when she became the first (and only, so far) person to eliminate Emily Shromm. She was also the second-to-last girl on Era 1, which was enough to exceed many viewers’ expectations.
9. Olivia Kaiser
This season kind of felt like a vacation for Olivia. She left without any money; instead, she gained a new boyfriend and a group of friends. She also stood out as a good competitor during many challenges, but her real victory came during the Era Invitational. Olivia defeated Nurys in Hall Brawl, settling the feud from Battle for a New Champion, though she didn’t gloat in her victory or put down Nurys.
8. Johnny Bananas
For most people, achieving the final is an accomplishment, but this was Bananas’ 12th time in a final and he came in third, which isn’t exactly groundbreaking. Instead, it’s how he got to the final that should be praised. Bananas had to make enemies to avoid becoming a casualty of Devin’s game, but it also meant he made a new group of allies. This season, Bananas proved he still has tricks up his sleeve and he’s not just on the show for a vacation.
7. Cara Maria Sorbello
If we look at Battle of the Eras from a strictly competitive angle, Cara Maria didn’t give her best performance. From a social standpoint, she did a great job. Cara Maria walked away from the season with new friends and allies, proving that she doesn’t need to be an outsider to survive in the Challenge house. Plus, she outlasted Laurel, and we all know this is a mini-win for her.
6. Kyland Young
Kyland had a lot of hype coming into this season after a strong performance on Battle for a New Champion, and he managed to do even better this time around. He won two Arenas and was Jordan’s biggest competition during the second half of the season. Kyland seemed poised to do well in the final, but his fourth-place finish may be a blemish on his otherwise great performance this season, which really sucked because 75% of the final was based on swimming, Kyland’s biggest weakness.
5. Averey Tressler
Many viewers questioned why Averey was even a part of this cast, but she quickly established her value at the first daily challenge. She volunteered as a captain and refused to be steamrolled by Tony in deliberation. Then, she accepted her fate in the Arena, eliminated two-time champion Jodi, and watched Tony leave the game. This will go down as one of the more memorable moments from the season, adding another achievement to Averey’s Challenge resume.
4. Tori Deal
Tori’s performance in the final wasn’t the best, but she dominated the rest of the season. She won five daily challenges — more than anyone else this season — but she also took a stand against Bananas. Rather than float by with her Vacation Alliance she was forced to really play the game. By doing this, she proved her alliance needs her more than she needs them, and she made new friends in the process.
3. Aviv Melmed
After an 18-year break, Aviv’s out-of-the-blue return allowed her to play the game as a born-again rookie. Many people expected her to leave early, especially with the competition on her Era 2 team. Instead, she found a core group of friends and managed to avoid elimination for the bulk of the season. Aviv proved she’s still a great competitor, and she might have been the reason Darrell won Fresh Meat. After all, she lasted longer on this season than her former partner.
2. Michele Fitzgerald
Coming into this season, people really didn’t think Michele was final material — and she might have been one of the doubters. As the season progressed, she excelled at eliminations and won three Arenas, but her performances in daily challenges weren’t quite as strong. Then, she improved when it mattered most. She brought her A-game to the final, and she was the top-performing woman at multiple checkpoints. While she finished in third, she would have gotten second place if it wasn’t for the karma points.
1. Derek Chavez
There was a time when Derek was doomed to be a first boot on any season he did, but he wouldn’t let that be his fate on season 40. He came into the game in good shape and ready to compete, but he also had a strong political game. This allowed him to get deep into the season without seeing an Arena, and when he did get thrown in, he defeated Cory. He ended up being a serious contender in the final, and while he lost to Jordan, he earnestly outperformed 7-time champ Bananas and took home $75,000 — a huge upgrade from his early days on the show.
Stop Being Polite 