The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions explained

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Season Name:Invasion of the Champions
Season Number:29
Module1:
Num Contestants:26
Winner:
Location:Krabi, Thailand
Num Episodes:16 (Reunion Included)
Network:MTV
Prev Season:Rivals III
Next Season:XXX: Dirty 30

The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions[1] (originally promoted and titled as The Challenge: Invasion)[2] is the 29th season of the MTV reality game show, The Challenge. The new individual format was filmed in Krabi, Thailand during October and November 2016, and features alumni from The Real World, Road Rules, The Challenge, and Are You the One? competing.

The season premiered on February 7, 2017,[2] and concluded with the reunion special on May 16, 2017.

Format

The game started off with 18 "Underdogs" (players who have yet to win a challenge) who get dropped off a boat and onto a beach, where they were living in "The Shelter". They compete individually in challenges, followed by an elimination round. The male and female winners of the challenge would be safe from elimination, and earn their ticket to "The Oasis" — the season house. The last-place finishers of each gender automatically went straight into elimination for the first challenge.

In the second challenge, the challenge winners choose a player of the opposite gender to go into the elimination. The remainder of the cast then voted in who goes against them for the first and second challenge. The males vote for the females, and vice versa.

In the third challenge, and the last chance to earn a ticket to the Oasis, the winners are safe from elimination, and the two remaining players of each gender automatically compete against each other. The winners of the elimination round would return to the game, and earn a ticket to The Oasis. Players could not go into The Oasis until every ticket had been earned. Players who earned their ticket to the Oasis are exempt from elimination and do not compete in challenges until the Champions enter the game.

In Episode 5, eight former champions (four male, four female) enter the game, which becomes a team competition - Underdogs vs. Champions. Each challenge is designated as either an Underdog or a Champion elimination. The winning team earns money in their team bank account depending on the challenge. The best performing male and female of the team designated for the challenge then choose one player of each gender to go into the elimination. The remainder of the cast vote in the players to go against the nominated players in The Fortress. The winners return to the game, and the losers are eliminated.

Contestants

Male contestants Original season Finish
Chris "CT" TamburelloWinner
Nelson ThomasAre You the One? 3Runner-up
Cory WhartonThird place
Darrell TaylornowrapEpisode 12/13
Shane LandrumRoad Rules: Campus CrawlnowrapEpisode 11/12
Hunter BarfieldAre You the One? 3Episode 11
nowrapJohnny "Bananas" DevenanzionowrapEpisode 9/10
Dario MedranonowrapAre You the One? 2Episode 8
Zach NicholsnowrapThe Real World: San Diego (2011)Episode 7
Tony RainesEpisode 6
Anthony BartolotteAre You the One? 2Episode 4
Theo King-Bradleynowrap
Bruno BettencourtReal World: SkeletonsEpisode 2
Original season Finish
Ashley MitchellReal World: Ex-PlosionWinner
Camila NakagawaSpring Break ChallengeRunner-up
Nicole ZanattaReal World: SkeletonsThird place
Laurel StuckyEpisode 12
Amanda GarciaAre You the One? 3Episode 11
Jenna ComponoReal World: Ex-PlosionEpisode 11
nowrapCara Maria SorbelloThe Challenge: Fresh Meat IInowrapEpisode 9/10
Sylvia ElsrodeReal World: SkeletonsEpisode 8
Ashley KelseynowrapThe Real World: San Diego (2011)Episode 7
Kailah CasillasnowrapEpisode 6
LaToya Jackson
Anika RashaunReal World Seattle: Bad BloodEpisode 3
Marie RodaThe Real World: St. ThomasEpisode 2
Champion of

Gameplay

Challenge games

Elimination games

Final challenge

For the final challenge both teams are dismantled and players compete as individuals. Players pair up with each of the opposite gender competitors during the different stages of the final and their final placement is determined by their total final time. In addition to their share of what is in their team bank account, first place players receive $100,000 each, second receive $15,000 each, and third receive $5,000 each. Players must stay at The Shelter for the duration of the final challenge.

Game summary

Elimination chart

EpisodeWinnersElimination contestantsElimination gameElimination outcome
ChallengeLast-placeVoted InWinnerEliminated
1/2The Over UnderNicoleMarieKailahIn The TrenchesKailahMarie
DarioBrunoTonyTonyBruno
ChallengeWinnersWinner's pickVoted InElimination gameWinnerEliminated
3Shell ShockedHunterTheoCoryWho's Got Balls?CoryTheo
Ashley M.JennaAnikaJennaAnika
ChallengeWinnersLast-placeElimination gameWinnerEliminated
4Caged and ConfusedAmandaLaToyaSylviaThai RiseSylviaLaToya
ShaneAnthonyNelsonNelsonAnthony
Challenge Fortress Team Winners Player's Pick Voted In Fortress Game Winner Eliminated
5/6KnockoutUnderdogsUnderdogsSylviaKailahTuk Tuk Bang BangSylviaKailah
TonyShaneShaneTony
7Roll With The PunchesChampionsChampionsPole Wrestle
nowrapZachnowrapDarrellnowrapDarrellnowrapZach
8Curry UpUnderdogsChampionsNelsonDarioBell RingerNelsonDario
JennaSylviaJennaSylvia
9/10FalloutChampionsUnderdogsBananas vs. DarrellBalls InDarrellBananas
Cara Maria vs. LaurelLaurelnowrapCara Maria
10CrossoverUnderdogscolspan=9
Challenge Bloodbath TeamWinnersFortress contestantsFortress game WinnerEliminated
11/12X-ItUnderdogsHunter
Jenna
Inside OutAshley M.Amanda
Nicole
Cory vs. Nelson vs. ShaneNelsonShane
Cory
Challenge Fortress Team Winners Fortress contestantsFortress Game Winner Eliminated
12/13Caved In ChampionsUnderdogsCamila vs. LaurelKnot So FastCamilaLaurel
CT vs. DarrellCTDarrell
13/14/15Final ChallengeCT2nd place: Nelson; 3rd place: Cory
Ashley M.2nd place: Camila; 3rd place: Nicole

Episode progress

ContestantsEpisodes
1/2345/6789/101011/1212/13Finale
nowrapAshley M.SAFE WIN EXM WONEXM SAFE EXM SAFEEXM WINNER
CTcolspan="4" EXM SAFE EXM WINSAFEEXM WINNER
Camilacolspan="4" EXM SAFE EXM WINSAFE EXM SECOND
NelsonSAFE SAFE SAFE EXM EXM SAFE EXM SECOND
CorySAFE EXM SAFE EXM SAFE EXM SAFE EXMTHIRD
NicoleWIN EXMEXMSAFE EXM WIN EXM SAFE EXM THIRD
Darrellcolspan="4" EXM EXMSAFEEXM OUT
Laurelcolspan="4" EXM WINEXM SAFE EXM OUT
ShaneSAFE SAFE WIN EXMSAFE EXM SAFE OUT
AmandaSAFE SAFE WIN SAFE EXM SAFE EXM SAFEOUT
JennaSAFE EXM SAFE EXM EXM SAFE
HunterSAFE WIN EXM SAFE EXM WIN EXM SAFE
nowrapCara Mariacolspan="4" EXMEXM OUT
Bananas colspan="4" EXM WIN EXM OUT
SylviaSAFE SAFE EXM OUT
DarioWIN EXMEXMWON EXM OUT
Zachcolspan="4" EXM OUT
nowrapAshley K.colspan="4" EXM OUT
TonyEXMEXMOUT
KailahEXMEXMOUT
AnthonySAFE SAFE OUT
LaToyaSAFE SAFE OUT
AnikaSAFE OUT
Theo SAFE
BrunoOUT
MarieOUT
Competition
  • The contestant won the final challenge
  • The contestant did not win the final challenge
  • The contestant won the challenge and won safety from the elimination round
  • The contestant won the challenge, but was subject to the elimination round
  • The contestant was exempt from participating in the elimination round
  • The contestant was not selected for the elimination round
  • The contestant won in the elimination round
  • The contestant lost in the elimination round and was eliminated
  • The contestant came in last in the daily challenge and was eliminated
  • The contestant withdrew from the elimination round

    Bank accounts

    Updated after Episode 12

    Voting progress

    Voted into
    Elimination
    Tony
    Theo
    Cory
    No
    vote
    Tony
    Shane
    Zach
    Darrell
    Nelson
    Dario
    No vote
    Kailah
    Jenna
    Anika
    Sylvia
    Kailah
    Cara Maria
    Ashley K.
    Jenna
    Sylvia
    VoterEpisode
    1/2345/6789101112
    Tony Theo Tony Dario
    CTcolspan="4" Camila
    Camilacolspan="4" CT
    NelsonKailah Anika Kailah Sylvia
    CoryKailah Anika Sylvia
    NicoleTheo Cory Shane Nelson
    Darrellcolspan="4"
    Laurelcolspan="4" Zach
    ShaneKailah Anika Kailah Sylvia
    AmandaTony Cory Cory Dario
    JennaTheo Cory Shane Shane
    HunterKailah Jenna Kailah Jenna
    colspan="4" Darrell
    Bananascolspan="4"
    SylviaTony Cory Cory Dario
    Dario Kailah Anika Sylvia Sylvia
    Zachcolspan="4"
    colspan="4" Darrell
    TonySylvia Anika
    KailahTheo Cory Shane
    AnthonyKailah Anika
    LaToyaTony Cory
    AnikaTony Cory
    TheoKailah Anika
    Bruno
    Marie

    Teams

    bgcolor="navy "
    Nelson & Amanda
    Theo & Anika
    Hunter & Ashley M.
    Cory & Jenna
    Shane & LaToya
    Anthony & Sylvia
    bgcolor="red"
    Nelson & Amanda
    Bananas & Laurel
    Shane & Sylvia
    CT & Cara Maria
    Hunter & Ashley M.
    Darrell & Ashley K.
    Dario & Nicole
    Zach & Camila
    Cory & Jenna
    Bananas & Laurel
    bgcolor="red"
    Shane & Nicole
    Darrell & Laurel
    Nelson & Amanda
    nowrapHunter & Ashley M.
    CT & Camila
    Cory & Jenna
    Stage 1
    Stage 2Stage 3
    CT & CamilaCT & Ashley M.CT & Nicole
    Cory & NicoleCory & CamilaCory & Ashley M.
    Nelson & Ashley M.Nelson & NicoleNelson & Camila

    Episodes

    Reunion special

    The reunion special aired on May 16, 2017, one week after the season finale, and was hosted by WWE pro wrestler, alum, and former Challenge champion Mike "The Miz" Mizanin. Cast members who attended were: CT, Ashley.M, Nelson, Camila, Cory, Nicole, Darrell, Laurel, Shane, Amanda, Hunter, Jenna, Johnny Bananas, Cara Maria, Kailah. It had 0.50 million viewers in its first-run airing.[16]

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions. https://web.archive.org/web/20170113161951/http://www.mtv.com/shows/challenge-invasion. dead. January 13, 2017.
    2. Web site: Donnelly, Matthew Scott . Underdogs Will Have Their Day When The Challenge Returns For Season 29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170112182519/http://www.mtv.com/news/2966066/underdogs-the-challenge-invasion-season-29/ . dead . January 12, 2017 . MTV . January 11, 2017 . January 11, 2017.
    3. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 1 "Gimme Shelter" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170210135654/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/w3zhm7/challenge-invasion-gimme-shelter-season-29-ep-2901 . dead . February 10, 2017 . 8 February 2017.
    4. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 3 "Helter Shelter" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170217152911/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/t59ry2/challenge-invasion-helter-shelter-season-29-ep-2903 . dead . February 17, 2017 . 15 February 2017.
    5. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 4 "Four Tickets To Paradise" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170224213749/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/monbmy/challenge-invasion-four-tickets-to-paradise-season-29-ep-2904 . dead . February 24, 2017 . 22 February 2017.
    6. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 5 "Underdog Eat Underdog World" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170302124944/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/gyl934/challenge-invasion-underdog-eat-underdog-world-season-29-ep-2905 . dead . March 2, 2017 . March 2017.
    7. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 7 "Achy Breaky Heart" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170312033509/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/ry4387/challenge-invasion-achy-breaky-heart-season-29-ep-2907 . dead . March 12, 2017 . 15 March 2017.
    8. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 8 "A Low Down Dirty Shane" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170324171440/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/1wf0r7/challenge-invasion-a-low-down-dirty-shane-season-29-ep-2908 . dead . March 24, 2017 . 22 March 2017.
    9. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 8 "An Officer and a Gentlewoman" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170331001912/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/sucwdm/challenge-invasion-an-officer-and-a-gentlewoman-season-29-ep-2909 . dead . March 31, 2017 . 29 March 2017.
    10. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 10 "Go Your Own Way" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170408105957/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/bn82r5/challenge-invasion-go-your-own-way-season-29-ep-2910 . dead . April 8, 2017 . 5 April 2017.
    11. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 11 "The Bloodbath" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170414201126/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/kxvmx2/challenge-invasion-the-bloodbath-season-29-ep-2911 . dead . April 14, 2017 . 12 April 2017.
    12. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 12 "Caged" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170422142828/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/cb1po2/challenge-invasion-caged-season-29-ep-2912 . dead . April 22, 2017 . 19 April 2017.
    13. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 2 "Skeletal Fracture" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170210153238/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/v6esd3/challenge-invasion-skeletal-fracture-season-29-ep-2902 . dead . February 10, 2017 . 8 February 2017.
    14. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 6 "The Mile-High Club" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170310060548/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/qgvasy/challenge-invasion-the-mile-high-club-season-29-ep-2906 . dead . March 10, 2017 . 8 March 2017.
    15. Web site: The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Episode 13 "A River of Endless Light" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170429232055/http://www.mtv.com/episodes/kjwdpr/challenge-invasion-a-river-of-endless-light-season-29-ep-2913 . dead . April 29, 2017 . 26 April 2017.
    16. Web site: Metcalf, Mitch. UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.16.2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170518040957/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-16-2017.html. May 18, 2017. Showbuzz Daily. May 17, 2017. September 2, 2019.