This is what the points have culminated to — teams have been assembled. These new permanent pairings are expected to remain until the end of the season (we’ll see if that lasts). While some people are thrilled with the end result, other people aren’t so happy.
Based on what we’ve seen so far, this is how the teams appear to stack up. There are many factors that go into my assessments, like performances so far this season, complementary skill sets, and partner dynamics. But ultimately, these are just my opinions, and there’s no guarantee that the pairings are truly permanent.
12. Leroy & America
This team has one thing going for it: They respect each other. Beyond that, these two have spent the whole season afraid and underperforming. Leroy has given up on a few daily challenges and he’s basically relied on just not finishing in last place. Meanwhile, America seems to be scared of every challenge, can’t eat, and made some messy mistakes that may have jeopardized her reputation.
11. Derrick & Dee
We had a very weird introduction to this team, because Derrick seems to think Dee doesn’t really like him. As a viewer, I can’t say I see the tension, but I also don’t see a strong match here. Derrick has had a few really low performances this season, and Dee hasn’t had many glowing moments (especially after Bananas left). Likely, there won’t be a lot of struggle when it comes to voting, but odds are, this team won’t have to worry about being in a position of power.
10. Jonna & Gabe
The episode made it feel like Gabe was gravely disappointed to be paired with Jonna, but this team is probably one of the more complimentary pairings. Jonna is smart, and she knows how to solve puzzles. Her speed and strength may not be top tier, but she’s far from the worst and this is where Gabe can step in. Socially, this team isn’t in a great spot, but they have a shot at emerging as a wild card success story.
9. Nany & Justin
This is the puny team, and it’s only a matter of time before someone says, “I feel bad, because I really like them, but I think we have the best shot against Nany & Justin in the Arena.” However, this target isn’t a death sentence. Justin has done well this season and he’s exceeded a lot of expectations, and Nany will likely work well with him because he can be encouraging and she has decent endurance.
8. Aneesa & Jake
There’s no denying that Aneesa has improved this season, at least compared to All Stars: Rivals and Battle of the Eras, but Ashley wasn’t wrong — her odds of winning are really low. She is lucky to be working with Jake, who’s done pretty well so far this season and seems to like the idea of being paired with Aneesa. This could be a blessing for the team, but it’s hard to dismiss Aneesa’s track record of Challenge losses and poor endurance.
7. Theo & Adrienne
This is probably the team you forgot about, and they’re probably the duo that will implement a fly-under-the-radar strategy for as long as possible. Adrienne has been a dark horse this season, despite being the first Hangnail, but Theo has been a disappointment. He hasn’t scored any points since the first challenge and now his knee is swollen. Still, these two will be in the same corner for the political game and Theo’s track record shows he’s generally a pretty big threat on the show.
6. CT & Tay
The tide may have turned for CT. After winning Pole Wrestle and posting an impressive performance in Broken Dreams, we’re starting to see that the old veteran still has some life in him. Apparently, Tay has known this all along, so she’s happy to be paired with CT, and she’s got some grit in her. She’s the only person with two Arena wins so far, and CT will help her in areas where she’s the weakest, like eating and puzzles.
5. Ashley & Leo
Ashley is a two-time champion, but she’s been a consistently average or slightly above average player this season, based on points. Leo is really the person who seems to be on an upward trajectory after getting two wins in a row. This is a team with two well-rounded players, but they’re also similarly hotheaded. If they clash, that could spell disaster — and it’s likely to happen because they have different alliances.
4. Michaela & Cedric
Michaela has emerged as the top-dog so far this season. She had the first pick at the Selection, meaning she had the most points, and she’s a very well-rounded competitor. But she was adamant on selecting Cedric as a partner. Perhaps this wasn’t a mistake, because Cedric has been doing pretty well so far, but he hasn’t made a lot of moves or gotten any power. In Big Brother terms, he’s a floater, while Michaela is the type of player who thrives on making bold moves.
3. Aviv & Yeremi
A few of the partnerships seemed to be drawn to each other since day one (well, Day Zero, actually), and that certainly applied to Aviv & Yeremi. Likely, this team will play a level-headed game, and they seem like a strong match on paper. However, Aviv has only been slightly above average in daily challenges, and it seems that she skills will overlap with Yeremi rather than complement his abilities.
2. Olivia & Will
This team has size, speed, strength, and good looks — so there’s no doubt other teams will fear them. It’s clear Olivia has put in a lot of training coming into this season, and she’s trying to play a smart game. So far, it’s mostly been working (until she semi-volunteered to be a Hangnail), but she seems back on track. Will is also a fast and strong player, but he’s a bit of a hot head. This pairing could leave Olivia to clean up Will’s sloppy social game, but it will definitely leave her to do all the puzzles.
1. Turbo & Sydney
This team is so cocky, but somehow, they’re able to take time to compliment each other. This pairing was a match made in heaven (or purgatory, during Broken Dreams), and both Sydney and Turbo seem thrilled to be working with each other. It’s hard to identify an area where they’ll struggle, but if there is a disagreement, we’ll likely see them work through it as the power team, because they’re bound to win challenges.
Stop Being Polite 