MTV's The Challenge: Ranking the 50 best players ever

Over the past 37 seasons (and two All Stars spin-offs) of MTV's reality competition series The Challenge, some players have risen to legendary status via their athletic performance, impressive elimination record, or just by sheer force of will. The show's most recent season, The Challenge: Spies, Lies, and Allies, crowned two new elite agents, but which players from across the show's history have earned their spot in EW's The Challenge Hall of Fame? Scroll through the gallery to see the 50 greatest players of all time.

Dunbar was never a Challenge threat on his own, but he was a reliable team member. His elimination performances, however, were far from perfect.

• No. of Seasons: 6
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 1
• Elimination Wins: 2 of 6
• Total Winnings: $40,000

Before All Stars began, Kendal had a spotless record. She won The Inferno, the only season she was ever on, and was undefeated in eliminations. When she returned for the spin-offs over 15 years later, she proved herself to still be a powerhouse elimination threat, but struggled with the house politics—and understanding how trivia works. She's hot and cold when it comes to the game.

• No. of Seasons: 3
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 1
• Elimination Wins: 3 of 4
• Total Winnings: $33,500

It's hard to judge Nehemiah against all the other champions because his only win came from a technicality (when Big Easy couldn't finish on Gauntlet 3, disqualifying all the other champions and giving the win to the rookies). But his determination to prove himself and his passion for the game makes him a worthy competitor.

• No. of Seasons: 6
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 1
• Elimination Wins: 5 of 9
• Total Winnings: $50,000

Tina's loud mouth and reputation for being a mean girl meant she was always someone to be feared in the Challenge house back in her original seasons. When she returned for All Stars 2, though, she had lost her bark. It was clear she didn't understand the politicking and quit in her elimination. The old Tina was definitely gone.

• No. of Seasons: 6
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 3 of 5
• Total Winnings: $25,000

Ruthie is tiny but fierce and she never quits, even when her opponent is three times her size. You always want Ruthie on your side because she's the true definition of a fighter.

• No. of Seasons: 5
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 1 of 3
• Total Winnings: $1,000

Kyle has made a reputation for himself as one of the biggest and messiest snakes in the game, and he frequently betrays his own friends and allies. Put him in an elimination, though, and a switch gets flipped. He's one of the best Pole Wrestle competitors the show has ever seen and he never gives up in a final. He came in third in his rookie season, and he finished Spies, Lies, and Allies only seconds behind first place.

• No. of Seasons: 7
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 7 of 13
• Total Winnings: $70,625

As one of the most underestimated woman players in the show's history, Devyn has a pretty impressive résumé. She made it to the final in both seasons she competed in and boasts an undefeated elimination record (although to be fair, she's only gone into elimination once). She placed third in both finals, but her will to finish and prove herself as an athlete was inspiring to watch, even if it wasn't intimidating to the other players.

• No. of Seasons: 2
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 1 of 1
• Total Winnings: $25,000

Theresa's stats are not impressive, but she stood out in daily challenges. As a partner, she would always hold her own. And when it comes to a political/social game, well, she learned that from Wes.

• No. of Seasons: 7
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 1
• Elimination Wins: 2 of 9
• Total Winnings: $41,500

Coral may not have begun her Challenge journey as much of a competitor, but she quickly improved. Thanks to her sharp tongue, she became a fan favorite that many still miss today.

• No. of Seasons: 6
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 2 of 2
• Total Winnings: $73,000

Yes, Hunter has won The Challenge. No, Hunter has not walked away with any prize money. That's all thanks to his partner, Ashley Mitchell, infamously following in Johnny Bananas' footsteps and stealing his share of their winnings after he slut-shamed her earlier in the season. But, as a total physical performer, Hunter's an absolute beast in eliminations. His only downfalls? Puzzles, his own temper, and injuries that kept him from making the final in his best season yet on Dirty 30.

• No. of Seasons: 4
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 4 of 6
• Total Winnings: $0

This longtime Challenge OG has yet to win a season, but her past elimination performances speak for themselves. Injuries have forced her to exit the show early multiple times, and her unfortunate streak of getting eliminated right before the final stayed strong for a long time, a brutal trend in her career that she finally broke on All Stars where, even though she finished the final in last, she still finished. But does she have what it takes to actually win?

• No. of Seasons: 16
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 11 of 22
• Total Winnings: $24,071

With elimination wins against many Challenge legends like Evelyn and Veronica, even though KellyAnne hasn't won a season (yet), she still deserves a spot on this list. Her performance alongside Sarah Rice on The Ruins—where the two women remaining on the Contenders team almost beat the powerhouse Champions team of Derrick Kosinski, Kenny Santucci, Evan Starkman, Johnny Bananas, and Susie Meister—speaks for itself.

• No. of Seasons: 5
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 5 of 8
• Total Winnings: $13,300

Diem's onscreen battle with cancer led to one of the most iconic moments of Challenge history when she removed her wig to compete in a water challenge. Her strength and determination in the game and life before her death in 2014 cemented her status as one of the best Challenge players of all time, despite never getting that champion title for herself.

• No. of Seasons: 8
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 1 of 6
• Total Winnings: $53,000

In her very first season on Dirty 30, Tori more than earned the nickname rookie of the year. If not for a frustrating puzzle purge at the end of the final in War of the Worlds 2, she'd be a champion right now. And after another close call in the Spies, Lies, and Allies final where she finished only seconds behind first place, it's not hard to imagine Tori eventually getting her first win if she keeps on trying. She's got the physical skills of a champ—it's just her political strategy and puzzle skills that need some work.

• No. of Seasons: 6
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 4 of 7
• Total Winnings: $68,000

This Challenge newcomer had an impressive rookie season with Free Agents (thanks in equal part to the "luck of the Irish" and his physical skills), but bad partners resulted in less-than-stellar follow-up seasons on Battle of the Exes II and Rivals III. If he ever does return to the franchise, look out for him to make a splash.

• No. of Seasons: 3
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 1
• Elimination Wins: 3 of 5
• Total Winnings: $35,000

Jenna may not have any wins under her belt, but with her elimination record and number of trips to the final, it seems like it's only a matter of time before Barbie Beast gets her first victory.

• No. of Seasons: 8
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 6 of 9
• Total Winnings: $37,500

You don't want to see Killer Kam in an elimination. The rookie started to make a name for herself immediately when her first three eliminations saw her take out Tori, Ashley, and Natalie. Tack on her excellent game strategy and you want her on your side.

• No. of Seasons: 5
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 8 of 10
• Total Winnings: $50,000

Leroy's greatest downfall was that he was a nice guy, a lesson he learned far too late in his career. Sadly, he was never able to pull out a win, but throughout the years, he proved to be a great partner and teammate and delivered some of the best elimination performances the series has seen.

• No. of Seasons: 12
• Seasons Won: 0
• Trips to the Final: 5
• Elimination Wins: 9 of 14
• Total Winnings: $36,500

Jenny's still fairly new to the game, but from her first season, it was clear she's a physical threat. And of the two finals she's participated in, she finished her second one before seven-time champ Johnny Bananas.

• No. of Seasons: 2
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 3 of 4
• Total Winnings: $500,000

Brad is a former Challenge legend who returned to the franchise for Vendettas and Final Reckoning, coming off his win in Cutthroat 10 years prior. He didn't recapture his former glory, but it was still a thrill to see him competing for the title once again, and his past résumé can't be denied, even after he was eliminated from All Stars 2.

• No. of Seasons: 11
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 7 of 13
• Total Winnings: $75,000

Susie is a sweet but subtle badass. No longer participating in The Challenge, she and Sarah Rice now host the Brain Candy podcast and frequently discuss their reality show pasts.

• No. of Seasons: 4
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 4 of 4
• Total Winnings: $100,173

A regular competitor back when the series often featured two large teams (as opposed to the frequent smaller team/pairs/individual format today), Veronica returned to The Challenge for Dirty 30, the first time she had been on the show since The Ruins in 2009. She was last seen on Final Reckoning.

• No. of Seasons: 11
• Seasons Won: 3
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 2 of 4
• Total Winnings: $80,309

This fedora-loving Challenge beast from the early 2000s proved he's still got what it takes to compete two decades later when he won the first season of All Stars, dominating all the other players in the grueling two-day final and taking home the entire prize of half a million dollars. And after he was crowned the best of the OGs, he had some fiery things to say about how he could take on "all those punks from the other show, too." We would very much like to see that, especially since he's never been tested in an elimination.

• No. of Seasons: 4
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 0 of 0
• Total Winnings: $511,254

Frank is another excellent competitor whose time on The Challenge was short-lived. Currently undefeated in eliminations, he was only kicked off his third season, Free Agents, when he was diagnosed with a contagious viral infection and had to leave.

• No. of Seasons: 3
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 3 of 3
• Total Winnings: $80,000

Just look at Zach: With his size and speed, he should be much higher on this list. But time and time again, he let mistakes and ego get in the way of a win. He's still a threat, but only if he's not having to run up the side of a mountain.

• No. of Seasons: 9
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 4 of 9
• Total Winnings: $150,125

Just imagine how many more wins the WWE Superstar—who sometimes returns to The Challenge to host reunion specials—would have now if he still competed. That elimination record is spotless!

• No. of Seasons: 5
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 2 of 2
• Total Winnings: $130,500

In only three seasons, Kaycee has already made quite a name for herself. She's the first Big Brother winner to also win The Challenge, she's undefeated in eliminations, made the final every season she's been on, and came in second place her first season. Her eventual first-place finish alongside CT in Spies, Lies, and Allies felt inevitable—with the right partner, of course (sorry not sorry, Fessy).

• No. of Seasons: 3
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 3 of 3
• Total Winnings: $403,000

Ashley is best known for taking the full million-dollar prize from her Final Reckoning partner Hunter Barfield, but the real takeaway from that season is this: Ashley won that final. She beat Hunter. Because, so long as she can keep her temper in check and doesn't quit or get kicked off the show, she's a great competitor who's willing to put it all on the line to win.

• No. of Seasons: 9
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 4 of 9
• Total Winnings: $1,121,250

Paula wasn't always viewed as a great competitor, but over time, she really came into her own in the game. She'd go on to win twice, and yes, she had great partners in Evelyn and Emily, but she held her own.

• No. of Seasons: 10
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 5
• Elimination Wins: 5 of 10
• Total Winnings: $126,000

A reliably tough competitor, Jodi became the first person to take home the grand prize in a season of The Challenge selecting a single male and female winner. And when she returned for All Stars 2 after 15 years, she proved that she still has what it takes to be a badass player, winning challenge after challenge and getting her first elimination win.

• No. of Seasons: 4
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 1 of 2
• Total Winnings: $176,666

One of the nicest guys to ever play the game, Alton's record speaks for itself, as he made it to four out of five finals. Plus, no one has ever climbed a net faster than Alton.

• No. of Seasons: 5
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 6 of 7
• Total Winnings: $50,666

Tyler successfully translated his past as a competitive swimmer into being quite the competitive Challenge player, winning his last two seasons in a row. But despite his undeniable performance, he wasn't invited back for 10 years until All Stars 2, where an unfortunate partner pairing resulted in his elimination.

• No. of Seasons: 5
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 2
• Elimination Wins: 4 of 7
• Total Winnings: $92,000

So long as she doesn't lose her cool and become "the Camilanator," Camila is a solid competitor who is always willing to push herself to her limits. One thing is certain: Camila won't quit.

• No. of Seasons: 10
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 9 of 13
• Total Winnings: $561,250

Abram is one of the most feared competitors purely because of his high energy, wild personality, and unpredictable nature. It doesn't matter whether he's on your team or the opposing side, he's simply terrifying—especially in an elimination.

• No. of Seasons: 9
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 2 of 4
• Total Winnings: $103,500

Mark was a member of the first cast of Road Rules in 1995 and went on to compete on The Challenge all the way through 2012. In 2015, he said he'd be open to coming out of retirement despite his age—that dream came true when he not only developed and produced All Stars, but also competed and made it to the final. Age ain't nothing but a number, clearly!

• No. of Seasons: 7
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 5
• Elimination Wins: 1 of 2
• Total Winnings: $81,184

Rachel was often at the center of quite a bit of drama—especially when it came to her BFF/mean girl partner-in-crime Veronica Portillo, as well as her ex Aneesa Ferreira—but the fierce competitor often came out on top.

• No. of Seasons: 7
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 1 of 3
• Total Winnings: $135,555

Evan became fast friends with Kenny Santucci—and thus fast enemies with Wes Bergmann—during Fresh Meat, and the pair went on to dominate for many, many seasons through impressive physical performances...and a lot of problematic bullying.

• No. of Seasons: 6
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 4 of 6
• Total Winnings: $150,970

The rivalry between Kenny—or Mr. Beautiful (as he calls himself)—and Wes Bergmann was the stuff of Challenge legend and set the precedent for the politicking and alliances still alive today. Plus, it gave fans one of the best pairings in history during Rivals (Wes and Kenny were robbed of that win, don't even get us started on the injustice of that final). Even though Kenny hasn't been on the show in over a decade, his record speaks for itself.

• No. of Seasons: 8
• Seasons Won: 3
• Trips to the Final: 7
• Elimination Wins: 5 of 7
• Total Winnings: $235,970

After a bad first season, Cara Maria returned with a vengeance, winning second place in her next two seasons. Over the years, she developed an impressive elimination record (despite everyone gunning for her in Free Agents). To this day, she's still the only solo female winner of The Challenge.

• No. of Seasons: 14
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 9
• Elimination Wins: 13 of 19
• Total Winnings: $602,250

You wouldn't want to cross small and mighty Evelyn in or out of the house. She has the most wins out of any female to ever compete on The Challenge, and she left the franchise at the top of her game, winning her last season.

• No. of Seasons: 7
• Seasons Won: 3
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 6 of 9
• Total Winnings: $167,000

Relentlessly cocky, Wes is the guy everyone loves to hate and we just love to love. His manipulative political game can't be denied, but it's gotten him into more trouble than it's worth as of late, leading him to finally put aside his rivalry with Johnny Bananas for a secret "unholy alliance" and to play "possum" in Total Madness. It worked...for Bananas, who ended up winning the season. And even though Bananas sent Wes home in an elimination, their shaky alliance turned into a real friendship that became instantly iconic.

• No. of Seasons: 14
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 5
• Elimination Wins: 14 of 23
• Total Winnings: $303,000

Winning The Challenge takes heart, and no one has more heart than Derrick. If there was ever an underdog to put your money on, it's Derrick, who has pulled off some of the series' most impressive defeats, including taking Joss down in what was essentially a Pole Wrestle despite being half his size.

• No. of Seasons: 12
• Seasons Won: 3
• Trips to the Final: 6
• Elimination Wins: 9 of 15
• Total Winnings: $210,970

Laurel came in hot, winning second place in her first three seasons and taking first place in her fourth (despite Zach's cramping legs). She also won her first nine eliminations. Bottom line: You don't want to go against Laurel, not even if you're her best friend. Right, Cara Maria?

• No. of Seasons: 6
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 9 of 11
• Total Winnings: $201,000

The puzzle queen's winnings would be significantly higher if not for her Rivals III partner Johnny Bananas, who famously opted to steal her half of the grand prize. She has not returned to the show since, which is a tragedy since she's one of the best women to ever compete on this franchise. It took her a long time to get her first championship thanks to some back luck with partners, but her performance in her very first season—The Ruins, where she and KellyAnne Judd almost beat the powerhouse Champions team of Derrick Kosinski, Kenny Santucci, Evan Starkman, Johnny Bananas, and Susie Meister—foreshadowed her eventual iconic legacy as one of the best competitors of all time.

• No. of Seasons: 9
• Seasons Won: 2
• Trips to the Final: 5
• Elimination Wins: 6 of 8
• Total Winnings: $173,700

Remember that time Jordan flipped over all the cards in Free Agents so he could face Johnny Bananas in an elimination...and then lost in epic fashion? He's certainly come a long way since then with an almost spotless elimination record and multiple wins. His attitude still rubs most players the wrong way, so he focuses less on politicking and more on winning physical challenges. It's a bold strategy that keeps paying off.

• No. of Seasons: 6
• Seasons Won: 3
• Trips to the Final: 4
• Elimination Wins: 7 of 9
• Total Winnings: $833,000

Emily's only downfall is that she didn't do enough seasons of The Challenge. But she made the final of every season she did and remains undefeated in eliminations. Her résumé might not be long, but if Emily's in the game, rest assured she's the strongest woman in the house.

• No. of Seasons: 3
• Seasons Won: 1
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 5 of 5
• Total Winnings: $104,000

Landon was only on four seasons, but it's hard to argue with someone who made three out of four finals and turned in one of the most impressive final performances ever, literally pushing his partner up the side of a mountain. Finals aside, Landon was a constant threat in each and every challenge and elimination. His skill is only matched by his ability to stay cool, calm, and collected.

• No. of Seasons: 4
• Seasons Won: 3
• Trips to the Final: 3
• Elimination Wins: 5 of 6
• Total Winnings: $184,166

A former Golden Gloves boxer, Darrell competes like his two kids' college funds depend on it. And he's a nice guy to boot. He still holds the record for most consecutive wins with four in a row, and he'd never been in a final that he didn't win…until All Stars, when he came in second, losing out on his fifth title by just two points.

• No. of Seasons: 10
• Seasons Won: 4
• Trips to the Final: 5
• Elimination Wins: 6 of 9
• Total Winnings: $248,055

If we're talking wins, Bananas is the champ. But this ranking isn't just about wins, which is why he's a close second. The seven-time champ—the most of any Challenger—is an undeniable threat every time he shows up on a season. Both physically and politically, Bananas knows how the game is played, and if he can just keep the target off his back, he'll likely make it to the final. (And if he gets the chance, he's taking your money.)

• No. of Seasons: 20
• Seasons Won: 7
• Trips to the Final: 9
• Elimination Wins: 11 of 25
• Total Winnings: $1,184,720

This five-time champion may not have the most wins (he's two behind Johnny Bananas). But you can't deny that CT is the ultimate Challenge GOAT. From his early days when he couldn't control his temper and frequently got kicked off for brutal fights, to his later run as a 41-year-old dad at the top of his game who earned back-to-back wins on the two most recent seasons, CT is the most-feared competitor of all time—Rivals is clear evidence of that. And it's not hard to understand why—whether it's a physical headbanger elimination, a cerebral puzzle, or a marathon-style final run, he's the whole package of brains, brawn, and endurance. Plus his in-house politics game is flawless—everyone knows if you let this man get to the final, he's taking home the win, and yet he keeps manipulating everyone into keeping him around regardless. There is no one, past, current, and probably even future, who is better than CT.

• No. of Seasons: 19
• Seasons Won: 5
• Trips to the Final: 10
• Elimination Wins: 6 of 11
• Total Winnings: $1,365,000