The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II explained

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II should not be confused with Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Sexes 2.

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  1. 4000FF
Season Name:Battle of the Exes II
Season Number:26
Module1:
Num Contestants:26
Winner:
  • Jordan Wiseley
  • Sarah Rice
Location:
Num Episodes:16 (Reunion and 3 Specials Included)
Network:MTV
Prev Season:Free Agents
Next Season:Battle of the Bloodlines

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II is the 26th season of MTV's reality game show, The Challenge, and the sequel to the show's 22nd season, Battle of the Exes. Filming occurred in Pedasí, Panama and Ørsta, Norway in August and September 2014,[1] with former cast members from MTV's The Real World, The Challenge, and Are You the One? competing. With Are You the One?, this season marks the first to feature cast members from a show not produced by Bunim-Murray Productions.[2]

The season was dedicated to cast members Diem Brown and Ryan Knight, both of whom died in November 2014, two months after filming ended.[3] Brown was featured in an MTV special titled "We Heart Diem" that aired on December 9, 2014.[4]

A launch special, "EX-tra Baggage", hosted by T. J. Lavin and Battle of the Exes champion Camila Nakagawa, aired on December 30, 2014.[5] The season premiered with a special 90 minutes episode on January 6, 2015, and concluded its run on March 24, 2015, with the Reunion and "The S... They Should've Shown" specials.[6]

Format

Battle of the Exes II follows the same format as the original Battle of the Exes challenge, with the following differences:

Contestants

Male contestants Original season Finish
Winner
The Real World: Las Vegas (2011)Runner-up
Third place
nowrapnowrapEpisode 10/11
Episode 9/10
The Real World: San Diego (2011)Episode 8
The Real World: PortlandEpisode 7
Are You the One? 1Episode 6/7
nowrapThe Real World: New Orleans (2010)Episode 4
Are You the One? 1 Episode 3
nowrapEpisode 3
Real World: Ex-PlosionEpisode 2
The Real World: Las Vegas (2011)Episode 1
Original season Finish
Winner
nowrapRunner-up
Real World: Ex-PlosionThird place
The Real World: Las Vegas (2011)nowrapEpisode 10/11
The Real World: PortlandnowrapEpisode 10/11
Episode 8
The Real World: PortlandEpisode 7
Are You the One? 1Episode 6/7
nowrapThe Real World: New Orleans (2010)Episode 4
Are You the One? 1 Episode 3
nowrapnowrapEpisode 3
Real World: Ex-PlosionEpisode 2
The Real World: PortlandEpisode 1

Teams

Team Male partner
Adam & BrittanyAdam KuhnnowrapBrittany Baldassari
nowrap Bananas & Nany nowrapJohnny "Bananas" DevenanzioNany González
CT & DiemChris "CT" TamburelloDiem Brown
nowrap Dustin & Jessica Dustin ZitoJessica McCain
Jay & JennaJay MitchellJenna Compono
John & Simone John JacobsSimone Kelly
nowrap Johnny & Averey Johnny ReillyAverey Tressler
Jordan & SarahJordan WiseleySarah Rice
nowrap Knight & Jemmye Ryan KnightJemmye Carroll
Leroy & NiaLeroy GarrettNia Moore
nowrap Thomas & HaileyThomas BuellHailey Chivers
Wes & TheresaWes BergmannTheresa González
Zach & Jonna Zach NicholsJonna Mannion

Pre-season romantic backgrounds

Gameplay

Challenge games

Dome games

Ex-ile games

Final challenge

The Final Challenge is a two-day race from a Norwegian fjord to the top of Mount Slogen. Prior to the start of the race, host T. J. Lavin explains that a team must complete the Final Challenge in order to get paid. To start, each team takes a helicopter ride, then will be dropped into the water, where they will have to swim to the shore to their first checkpoint, "Kayak The Fjord." Each team must kayak their way through the fjord, where they will change into their team uniforms, then sprint to the third checkpoint, "Mind Games." Each team has 30 minutes to unscramble a five-word sentence with a pile of rocks marked with letters. (The five-word sentence is "You will respect the trolls.") The third checkpoint is "Don't Flip Your Lid," where each team has to flip a series of six cards with the Flag of Norway from the edge of a table into a series of six glasses filled with liquid fish eggs. Each team must consume one glass prior to flipping the cards. A team is required to consume a full glass for each time that they fail to flip a card into the glass after three attempts. (Note: Jay & Jenna were disqualified at this checkpoint, after Jay was unable to consume the liquid, leaving Jordan & Sarah and Leroy & Theresa as the only teams competing in the final.) Each team then sprints to the fourth checkpoint, "Get Your Rocks Off," in which teams have 30 minutes to grab five rocks from a rockpile, and then toss the rocks from a distance into a bucket. Prior to this checkpoint, each team is required to consume a tube of liquid caviar. If players from each team misses, they must sprint back and continue the process of collecting rocks from the rockpile until they toss a total of five rocks into the bucket. The fifth checkpoint is a bicycle ride to the Slogen trailhead. The sixth checkpoint is a "Rest Stop," where teams must take their place either within their designated zone next to a campfire, or on top of their beds. On day two, the final race is a grueling climb to the top of Slogen, in which the first-place team wins $250,000 and the second-place team wins $70,000. Since Jordan & Sarah made it to the rest stop first, they earned a five-minute headstart before Leroy & Theresa.[26] [32]

Game summary

Elimination chart

EpisodePower CoupleDome contestantsDome gameDome outcome
ChallengeLast-placeWinners' pickWinnersEliminated
1I Got You BabeNowrapWes & Theresa Adam & BrittanynowrapDustin & Jessica Pole PositionAdam & BrittanyDustin & Jessica
2Rounding the BasesnowrapBananas & NanynowrapJohnny & AvereyThomas & HaileyBanded TogethernowrapJohnny & AvereyThomas & Hailey
3On Again, Off AgainNowrapJordan & SarahJohn & SimonenowrapAdam & BrittanynowrapHe Said, She SaidAdam & BrittanyJohn & Simone
4The Brush OffZach & JonnanowrapKnight & JemmyeAdam & BrittanyBreaking UpAdam & BrittanynowrapKnight & Jemmye
5Open ArmsWes & TheresaLeroy & NiaBananas & NanyStrung OutLeroy & NiaBananas & Nany
6/7nowrapDon't Forget About MeWes & TheresaAdam & BrittanyJohnny & AvereyStacking UpJohnny & AvereyAdam & Brittany
7Are You the One?Jay & JennaJohnny & AvereyLeroy & NiaHooking UpLeroy & NiaJohnny & Averey
8Speed DatingLeroy & NiaJordan & SarahZach & JonnaHammer It HomeJordan & SarahZach & Jonna
9/10Wrecking BallJordan & SarahWes & TheresaLeroy & NiaHall BrawlLeroy & NiaWes & Theresa
10/11Don't Let Me DownJordan & SarahLeroy & NiaBananas & NanyX-BattleLeroy & TheresaBananas & Nany
11/12Final ChallengeJordan & Sarah2nd place: Leroy & Theresa; 3rd place: Jay & Jenna

Dome progress

TeamsEpisodes
1 2 3 4 5 6/7 7 8 9/10 10/11 Finale
Jordan & SarahSAFE SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE SAFESAFEWIN WIN WINNERS
Leroy & TheresaSECOND
Jay & JennaSAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFESAFEWIN SAFE SAFESAFE DNF
Bananas & NanySAFE WIN SAFE SAFE OUT SAFE OUT
Leroy & NiaSAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFEWIN
Wes & TheresaWIN SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN WIN SAFE SAFE OUT
Zach & JonnaSAFE SAFE SAFE WIN SAFESAFESAFEOUT
Johnny & AvereySAFE SAFE SAFE SAFEOUT
Adam & BrittanySAFE SAFEOUT
Knight & JemmyeSAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
John & SimoneSAFE SAFE OUT
CT & DiemSAFE SAFE MED
Thomas & HaileySAFE OUT
Dustin & JessicaOUT
Competition
  • The team won the competition
  • The team did not win the final challenge
  • The team quit the final challenge and received no money
  • The team won the "Power Couple" mission and put another team into the Dome
  • The team was not selected to go into the Dome
  • The team won in the Dome
  • The team lost in the Dome and was eliminated
  • A contestant was removed from the competition due to medical reasons, so his/her partner was also eliminated
  • A contestant was disqualified from the competition due to disciplinary reasons, but his/her partner later received a replacement teammate in the Dome

    Battle of the EX-iled

    Elimination chart

    EpisodeEx-ile contestantsEx-ile gameEx-ile outcome
    InhabitantChallengerWinning teamLosing team
    1Dustin & Jessica
    2Dustin & JessicaThomas & HaileySweatersnowrapDustin & JessicanowrapThomas & Hailey
    3Dustin & JessicaJohn & SimonenowrapMental ProblemsnowrapJohn & SimonenowrapDustin & Jessica
    4John & SimoneKnight & JemmyenowrapKnight & Jemmye
    5John & SimoneBananas & NanyThe RingnowrapBananas & NanynowrapJohn & Simone
    6/7Bananas & NanyAdam & BrittanyControl IssuesBananas & NanyAdam & Brittany
    7Bananas & NanyJohnny & AvereyTake OutBananas & NanyJohnny & Averey
    9Bananas & NanyZach & JonnaNowrapIt Takes Two to TangleBananas & NanyZach & Jonna

    Ex-ile progress

    TeamsEpisodes
    1 2 3 4 5 6/7 7 9
    WON
    Zach & JonnaOUT
    OUT
    Adam & BrittanyOUT
    John & SimoneOUT
    MED
    Dustin & JessicaOUT
    Thomas & HaileyOUT
    Competition
  • The team won in the Ex-ile and returned to the competition
  • The team won in the Ex-ile
  • The team was in the Ex-ile, but did not compete against any team
  • The team lost the Ex-iled match, and was permanently eliminated from the game
  • A contestant was removed from the competition due to medical reasons, so his/her partner was also eliminated

    Episodes

    Reunion special

    The Reunion special aired on March 24, 2015, after the season finale and was hosted by Zuri Hall. The cast members who attended the reunion were: Jordan, Sarah, Leroy, Theresa, Jay, Jenna, Bananas, Nany, Wes, Nia, Zach, and Jonna.[6]

    Controversy

    During episode 11, cast member Nia Moore was expelled from the competition after physically and verbally harassing fellow The Real World: Portland cast member, Jordan Wiseley. After the episode aired, Moore apologized to anyone offended by her words and actions, during an interview with MTV News.[33]

    Dedications to Diem Brown and Ryan Knight

    In November 2014, two months after filming ended, tragedy struck the Battle of the Exes II cast twice.

    On November 14, 2014, Diem Brown died at the age of 34, following a decade-long battle with cancer. Brown was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in June 2014, though she had kept this information private.[34] Two months later, media reports indicated that she collapsed during filming of Battle of the Exes II, and was subsequently airlifted to a New York-area hospital, where she learned her cancer had metastasized to her colon and stomach.[1] [35]

    On November 27, 2014, Ryan Knight was found dead at the age of 28, following a house party in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Four months later (March 2015), autopsy results determined that Knight died of acute mixed drug and alcohol intoxication.[36]

    This was Diem's and Knight's final challenge appearances prior to their deaths, and MTV dedicated this season of The Challenge to their memories.[3]

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Webber, Stephanie . Diem Brown of MTV's The Challenge Is Battling Cancer For the Third Time . . August 23, 2014 . August 23, 2014.
    2. Web site: Donnelly, Matthew Scott . The 'Challenge' Is Back With New 'Exes,' Big Money And An Online-Redemption Competition . https://web.archive.org/web/20141220013800/http://www.mtv.com/news/1997598/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/ . dead . December 20, 2014 . MTV . December 4, 2014 . December 4, 2014.
    3. Web site: Bricker, Tierney . MTV Dedicates Upcoming Challenge to Diem Brown and Ryan Knight . . December 4, 2014 . December 4, 2014.
    4. Web site: We Heart Diem at MTV.com.
    5. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II – "Ex-tra Baggage" Special – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150102083825/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ex-tra-baggage/1733332/playlist/#id=1733332 . dead . January 2, 2015 .
    6. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Reunion – Video at MTV.com.
    7. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 1 "Where is the Love?" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150109090850/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-1-where-is-the-love/1733384/playlist/#id=1733384 . dead . January 9, 2015 .
    8. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II cast – Johnny "Bananas" and Nany – at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224170806/http://www.mtv.com/celebrity/exes-2-johnny-nany/#cast=challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2 . dead . December 24, 2014 .
    9. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II cast – CT and Diem – at MTV.com.
    10. Web site: The Challenge: Free Agents Episode 2 "Love in the Fast Lane" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20140420194319/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge_free_agents/the-challenge-free-agents-ep-2-love-in-the-fast-lane/1726336/playlist/ . dead . April 20, 2014 .
    11. Web site: The Challenge: Free Agents Reunion – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20140629214428/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge_free_agents/the-challenge-free-agents-reunion/1728678/playlist/#id=1728678 . dead . June 29, 2014 .
    12. Web site: The Real World: Portland Episode 3 "Hot and bothered" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20130413230614/http://www.mtv.com/videos/real-world-portland-ep-3-hot-and-bothered/1705346/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=39982&channelId=1 . dead . April 13, 2013 .
    13. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II cast – Johnny and Averey – at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224170800/http://www.mtv.com/celebrity/exes-2-johnny-averey/#cast=challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2 . dead . December 24, 2014 .
    14. Web site: The Challenge: Rivals II Episode 2 "New Girl" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20130721080527/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-rivals-ii-ep-2-new-girl/1710734/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=41381&channelId=1 . dead . July 21, 2013 .
    15. Web site: The Challenge: Rivals II Episode 3 "The Dark Knight Rises" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20130728070945/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-rivals-ii-ep-3-the-dark-knight-rises/1711173/playlist.jhtml . dead . July 28, 2013 .
    16. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II cast – Leroy and Nia – at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224170821/http://www.mtv.com/celebrity/exes-2-leroy-nia/#cast=challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2 . dead . December 24, 2014 .
    17. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 2 "I Will Always Hate You" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150120044832/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-2-i-will-always-hate-you/1733543/playlist/#id=1733543 . dead . January 20, 2015 .
    18. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 3 "Love Sick" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150124012531/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-3-love-sick/1733672/playlist/#id=1733672 . dead . January 24, 2015 .
    19. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 4 "Crazy Stupid Love" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150131014101/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-4-crazy-stupid-love/1733777/playlist/#id=1733777 . dead . January 31, 2015 .
    20. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 5 "Love, Sweat, and Tears" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150207071905/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-5-love-sweat-and-tears/1733946/playlist/#id=1733946 . dead . February 7, 2015 .
    21. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 6 "Love Hurts" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150213083149/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-6-love-hurts/1734087/playlist/#id=1734087 . dead . February 13, 2015 .
    22. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 7 "That's The Way Love Goes" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150219063140/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-7-thats-the-way-love-goes/1734236/playlist/#id=1734236 . dead . February 19, 2015 .
    23. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 8 "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150226075724/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-8-youve-lost-that-loving-feeling/1734376/playlist/#id=1734376 . dead . February 26, 2015 .
    24. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 9 "Total Eclipse of the Heart" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150305131237/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-9-total-eclipse-of-the-heart/1734509/playlist/#id=1734509 . dead . March 5, 2015 .
    25. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 10 "Lovers In the Dark" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150313043902/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-10-lovers-in-the-dark/1734706/playlist/#id=1734706 . dead . March 13, 2015 .
    26. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 11 "Bye Bye, Love" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150319055714/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-11-bye-bye-love/1734852/playlist/#id=1734852 . dead . March 19, 2015 .
    27. Web site: Battle of the EX-iled Episode 2 – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150120044827/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-1-battle-of-the-ex-iled/1733535/playlist/ . dead . January 20, 2015 .
    28. Web site: Battle of the EX-iled Episode 3 – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150124012516/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/ep-3-battle-of-the-ex-iled/1160112/video/#id=1733684 . dead . January 24, 2015 .
    29. Web site: Battle of the EX-iled Episode 5 – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150207071900/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-5-battle-of-the-ex-iled/1733953/playlist/ . dead . February 7, 2015 .
    30. Web site: Battle of the EX-iled Episode 7 – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150219063135/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-7-battle-of-the-ex-iled/1734252/playlist/ . dead . February 19, 2015 .
    31. Web site: Battle of the EX-iled Episode 8 – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150226075910/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-8-battle-of-the-ex-iled/1734403/playlist/ . dead . February 26, 2015 .
    32. Web site: The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Episode 12 "The Greatest Love of All" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150327142038/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-battle-of-the-exes-2/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-ii-ep-12-the-greatest-love-of-all/1735003/playlist/#id=1735003 . dead . March 27, 2015 .
    33. Web site: Abber. Caitlin. This The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2 Cast member Opens Up About the Harassment That Got Her Kicked Off The Show. https://web.archive.org/web/20150319024009/http://www.mtv.com/news/2108164/interview-nia-the-challenge/. dead. March 19, 2015. MTV. March 17, 2015.
    34. Web site: Vick, Megan . 'Battle of the Exes II': Diem Brown knew she was sick . . January 20, 2015 . January 20, 2015 . May 23, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150523072324/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/battle_of_the_exes_2_diem_brown_knew_she_was_sick-2015-01 . dead .
    35. Web site: Ossad, Jordana . Diem Brown, 'Challenge' Star, Dies After Brave Cancer Battle . https://web.archive.org/web/20141117020859/http://www.mtv.com/news/1995993/diem-brown-dies-cancer/ . dead . November 17, 2014 . . November 14, 2014 . November 14, 2014.
    36. Web site: Kenneally, Tim . 'Real World' Star Ryan Knight Died of Accidental Overdose, Medical Examiner Says . . March 18, 2015 . March 18, 2015.