# The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros

The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros is a special mini-series of MTV's long-running reality game show, The Challenge. In the six-week event, ten Challenge greats competed against ten professional athletes. The series premiered on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, and concluded on June 20, 2017. The series was hosted by NFL wide receiver Victor Cruz. Contestants competed to win $50,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. In 2017 the series format was changed to include celebrities and was renamed Champs vs. Stars.
The format featured alumni from The Real World, Road Rules, and The Challenge, competing with athletes who have participated in professional leagues and events such as the National Football League, Women's National Basketball Association, Ultimate Fighting Championship, World Surfing Championship, along with the Winter and Summer Olympics.

## Contestants

| Player | Known For | Team | Charity | Raised | Finish |
| Cara Maria Sorbello | The Challenge: Fresh Meat II | Champs | ASPCA | $55,000 | Winner |
| Darrell Taylor | Road Rules: Campus Crawl | Champs | March of Dimes | $55,000 | Winner |
| Kamerion Wimbley | Retired NFL linebacker | Pros | Kamerion Wimbley Foundation | $1,000 | Runner-up |
| Lindsey Jacobellis | Snowboarder and Olympic medalist | Pros | ASPCA | $5,000 | Runner-up |
| Camila Nakagawa | Spring Break Challenge | Champs | Men With Dreams | $1,000 | Third place |
| Wes Bergmann | The Real World: Austin | Champs | American Cancer Society | $1,000 | Third place |
| Chris "CT" Tamburello | The Real World: Paris | Champs | Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine | $5,000 | Episode 6 |
| Gus Kenworthy | Skier and Olympic medalist | Pros | The Trevor Project and Happy Hippie Foundation | $1,000 | Episode 6 |
| Louise Hazel | Heptathlete and Olympian | Pros | Save the Children | $5,000 | Episode 6 |
| Lolo Jones | Olympic hurdler and bobsledder | Pros | Hurdles of Hope | $1,000 | Episode 6 |
| Ashley Mitchell | Real World: Ex-Plosion | Champs | Facing Addiction | $1,000 | Episode 5 |
| Louie Vito | Snowboarder and Olympian | Pros | Wings for Life | $1,000 | Episode 5 |
| Jordan Wiseley | The Real World: Portland | Champs | Lucky Fin Project | $5,000 | Episode 4 |
| CM Punk | UFC Fighter/Former Pro Wrestler | Pros | PAWS Chicago | $1,000 | Episode 4 |
| Tia Blanco | Surfer and World Champion | Pros | St. Jude's Children's Hospital | $1,000 | Episode 3/4 |
| Ashley Kelsey | The Real World: San Diego (2011) | Champs | Make-A-Wish Foundation | $1,000 | Episode 3 |
| Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio | The Real World: Key West | Champs | Special Olympics | $1,000 | Episode 2 |
| Shawne Merriman | Retired NFL linebacker | Pros | Lights On Foundation | $1,000 | Episode 2 |
| Candice Wiggins | Retired WNBA Player | Pros | Greater Than AIDS | $1,000 | Episode 1 |
| Veronica Portillo | Road Rules: Semester at Sea | Champs | Planned Parenthood | $1,000 | Episode 1 |

### Charity money shared

* 1 2 3 After winning final challenge Cara Maria agreed to give $5,000 of her prize money to each of Wes and Camila's charities.
* 1 2 After both being eliminated Louise and Lolo agreed to pool their prize money together and split it $3,000 to each of their charities.
* ↑ After defeating Ashley in elimination Lolo agreed to give $5,000 of her own personal money to Ashley's charity, raising Ashley's total raised to $6,000.

## Gameplay
### Challenge games

* Against the Ropes: Similar to the original challenge "Piggy Back" from Free Agents, teams are separated into two groups of five. Then, each group has to advance on hanging ropes from one platform to another that is suspended above water. After one player advances onto one rope, the next teammate has to use the first player as a "human bridge" in order to advance to the next rope. Subsequent players will continue the process, until each player is hanging into their own rope, at which point, players will continue to use their teammates as "human bridges" in order to reach the opposite platform. The team that gets the most players across wins.
** Winners: Pros
* Tailgate BBQ: Similar to the original challenge "Sausage Party" from Free Agents, players have to roll themselves along a "barbecue-style" obstacle course, while covered in shrink wrap. Each player will wiggle and roll through a variety of "condiments" and on oversize metal bars that resemble a grill grate, and toward place mats with hot dog labels on them. Certain players from each team will have to hold a "chip" bag in their mouth. If they do not hold it in their mouth the entire way through, a two-minute penalty will be added to their team total. The team with the shortest time wins.
** Winners: Champs
* Out of Bounds: Similar to the original challenge "Pole Push" from The Gauntlet III, played in same-sex heat time trial tests, a pole is situated in the middle of a large rectangular pit surrounded by water. Pros and Champs will go head to head to try to push their opponent into the water. The team with the most points at the end wins.
** Winners: Pros
* Keep Your Eyes On The Prize: Similar to the original challenge "Don't Forget About Me" from Battle of the Exes II, teams will have to split up into groups. One team member will lift up a steel door out of the sand that is connected to a memory puzzle for as long as they can. Two other team members will try to memorize one row at a time. Those two team members will tell another two team members what the row combination is. Those two people will then sprint to their last team member and tell them what the row is. If the row is wrong, they will have to take that whole row down and restart that row. The team who finishes first wins.
** Winners: Champs
* Over the Line: Similar to the original challenge "Reaching Out" from The Duel, two members of each team will be strapped to the end of a rope that is connected to the other ropes that are being used and each member will also have a small football in their hand. On go, the team members must work together to pull their opponents to their line on the boundary of the challenge. Once each member gets their football over the line, they will score a point. The first team to score three times wins.
** Winners: Champs
* No Guts No Glory: Played individually and in two heat time trial tests - one for guys and one for girls – players must select a plate of food they would like to eat – either an entree, side dish or dessert – to earn a colored ball. Balls are worth different numbers of points depending on which table they came from with entrees worth the most and desserts worth the least. Once a player has a ball, they must shoot it into a hoop at the far end of the course. The top guy and girl from each team will be declared the winners and advance to the finals together as a pair. The next best individual finisher will also earn a spot in the final, along with a member of their choosing from their own team.
** Winners: Camila, Cara Mara, Darrell, Kamerion and Lindsey
** Chosen to run the final: Wes
** Eliminated: CT, Gus, Lolo and Louise

### Arena games

* Pull No Punches: Similar to the original "Wrecking Wall" from Free Agents, each player must punch through a 30-foot dry wall to make holes so they can climb up until they can reach a bell. The first player to ring the bell wins the elimination round.
** Played by: Ashley M. vs. Veronica and Candice vs. Lolo
* Blindsided: Similar to the original "Snapper" from Rivals II, played within a large circle, players have to swing and break a wooden stick at their opponent, while blindfolded. The blindfolded players will be wearing bells on their shoes and guided by their partners, who are standing outside of the circle. The player that breaks a stick on their opponent two times, wins the elimination.
** Played by: CM Punk vs. Shawne and Johnny vs. Wes
* Basket Brawl: Similar to the original "Balls In" from The Inferno II, Free Agents, and Invasion of the Champions, each player will be given five chances to get as many balls inside a barrel, located in the middle of a large circle. If a player is either knocked out of or steps out of the ring, or if the ball is knocked out of the ring, their ball is considered "dead." Players will alternate between offense and defense in each round. To make things harder, the barrel is elevated and they are given a medicine ball.
** Played by: Ashley K. vs. Ashley M. and Lolo vs. Tia
* Ice Bath: Similar to the original "Chill Out" from Rivals III, players will have to submerge their arms into a bucket full of ice water for 1 minute. They will then have to unlock a series of locks to reveal a slide puzzle. They will then have to solve the puzzle. If the puzzle is not unlocked or solved within 2 minutes, they will then have to submerge their arms in the ice bucket again for another minute. The first player to solve their puzzle first wins.
** Played by: CM Punk vs. Gus and Jordan vs. Wes
* Going the Distance: Similar to "Spool" from The Ruins and "Knot So Fast" from Battle of the Seasons (2012) and Invasion of the Champions, players have to untangle two-hundred feet of heavy rope from a low rectangular structure. The first to untangle their rope wins.
** Played by: Louie vs. Wes and Ashley M. vs. Lolo

## Game summary

| Episode | Episode | Gender | Winners | Winners | Winners | Winners | Arena contestants | Arena contestants | Arena contestants | Arena contestants | Arena contestants | Arena contestants | Arena contestants | Arena contestants | Arena game | Arena outcome | Arena outcome | Arena outcome | Arena outcome |
| # | Challenge | Gender | Team | Team | Captain | Captain | Losing Captain | Losing Captain | Voted In | Voted In | Captain's Pick | Captain's Pick | Voted In | Voted In | Arena game | Winner | Winner | Loser | Loser |
| 1 | Against the Ropes | Female | | Pros | | Louise | | Ashley M. | | Veronica | | Candice | | Lolo | Pull No Punches | | Ashley M. | | Veronica |
| 1 | Against the Ropes | Female | | Pros | | Louise | | Ashley M. | | Veronica | | Candice | | Lolo | Pull No Punches | | Lolo | | Candice |
| 2 | Tailgate BBQ | Male | | Champs | | Jordan | | CM Punk | | Shawne | | Wes | | Bananas | Blindsided | | CM Punk | | Shawne |
| 2 | Tailgate BBQ | Male | | Champs | | Jordan | | CM Punk | | Shawne | | Wes | | Bananas | Blindsided | | Wes | | Bananas |
| 3/4 | Out of Bounds | Female | | Pros | | Lindsey | | Ashley M. | | Ashley K. | | Lolo | | Tia | Basket Brawl | | Ashley M. | | Ashley K. |
| 3/4 | Out of Bounds | Female | | Pros | | Lindsey | | Ashley M. | | Ashley K. | | Lolo | | Tia | Basket Brawl | | Lolo | | Tia |
| 4 | Keep Your Eyes On The Prize | Male | | Champs | | Darrell | | Gus | | CM Punk | | Wes | | Jordan | Ice Bath | | Gus | | CM Punk |
| 4 | Keep Your Eyes On The Prize | Male | | Champs | | Darrell | | Gus | | CM Punk | | Wes | | Jordan | Ice Bath | | Wes | | Jordan |
| 5 | Over The Line | Male | | Champs | | CT | | Louie | — | — | | Wes | — | — | Going the Distance | | Wes | | Louie |
| 5 | Over The Line | Female | | Champs | | Cara Maria | | Lolo | — | — | | Ashley M. | — | — | Going the Distance | | Lolo | | Ashley M. |
| 6 | No Guts, No Glory | — | — | — | | Cara Maria | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | CT |
| 6 | No Guts, No Glory | — | — | — | | Darrell | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | CT |
| 6 | No Guts, No Glory | — | — | — | | Camila | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | CT |
| 6 | No Guts, No Glory | — | — | — | | Wes | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | CT |
| 6 | No Guts, No Glory | — | — | — | | Kamerion | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Gus |
| 6 | No Guts, No Glory | — | — | — | | Lindsey | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Lolo |
| 6 | No Guts, No Glory | — | — | — | | Lindsey | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Louise |
| 6 | Final Challenge | — | | Darrell & Cara Maria | Darrell & Cara Maria | Darrell & Cara Maria | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila | 2nd place: Kamerion & Lindsey; 3rd place: Wes & Camila |

### Episode progress

| Contestants | Contestants | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes |
| Contestants | Contestants | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| | Cara Maria | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | WON | WINNER |
| | Darrell | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | WON | WINNER |
| | Kamerion | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WON | SECOND |
| | Lindsey | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | WON | SECOND |
| | Camila | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WON | THIRD |
| | Wes | SAFE | ELIM | SAFE | ELIM | ELIM | SAVE | THIRD |
| | CT | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | LAST | |
| | Gus | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | SAFE | LAST | |
| | Lolo | ELIM | SAFE | ELIM | SAFE | ELIM | LAST | |
| | Louise | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | LAST | |
| | Ashley M. | ELIM | SAFE | ELIM | SAFE | OUT | | |
| | Louie | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | | |
| | Jordan | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | OUT | | | |
| | CM Punk | SAFE | ELIM | SAFE | OUT | | | |
| | Tia | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | | | | |
| | Ashley K. | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | | | | |
| | Bananas | SAFE | OUT | | | | | |
| | Shawne | SAFE | OUT | | | | | |
| | Candice | OUT | | | | | | |
| | Veronica | OUT | | | | | | |

#### Teams

    The contestant is on the Champs team.
    The contestant is on Pros team.

#### Competition

    The contestant won the final challenge.
    The contestant did not win the final challenge.
    The contestant was the winning team captain and was safe from the Arena.
    The contestant won the challenge and advanced to the final challenge.
    The contestant was chosen to go to the final by one of their teammates.
    The contestant was not selected for the Arena.
    The contestant won in the Arena.
    The contestant lost in the Arena and was eliminated..
    The contestant didn't win the challenge and wasn't picked to be in the final challenge and was eliminated.

## Voting progress

| Captain's Pick | Ashley M. losing captain | Candice 1 of 1 vote | CM Punk losing captain | Wes 1 of 1 vote | Ashley M. losing captain | Ashley M. losing captain | Lolo 1 of 1 vote | Lolo 1 of 1 vote | Gus losing captain | Gus losing captain | Wes 1 of 1 vote | Louie losing captain | Lolo losing captain |
| Voted Into Arena | Veronica consensus | Lolo random draw | Shawne 5 of 8 votes | Bananas 4 of 7 votes | Tie Vote | Ashley K. 1 of 1 vote | Tie Vote | Tia 1 of 1 vote | Tie Vote | CM Punk 1 of 1 vote | Jordan 5 of 5 votes | Wes 1 of 1 vote | Ashley M. 1 of 1 vote |
| Voter | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes | Episodes |
| Voter | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Cara Maria | | | | Bananas | Ashley K. | | | | | | Jordan | | Ashley M. |
| Darrell | | | | Bananas | Ashley K. | | | | | | Wes | | |
| Lindsey | | | Shawne | | | | Lolo | | Kamerion | | | | |
| Kamerion | | | Shawne | | | | Louise | | CM Punk | | | | |
| Camila | | | | Darrell | Camila | | | | | | Jordan | | |
| Wes | | | | | Cara Maria | | | | | | Jordan | | |
| CT | | | | Bananas | Ashley K. | | | | | | Jordan | Wes | |
| Gus | | | Shawne | | | | Louise | | | CM Punk | | | |
| Lolo | | | Shawne | | | | | Tia | Louie | | | | |
| Louise | | Candice | Unknown | | | | Tia | | Kamerion | | | | |
| Ashley M. | | | | Bananas | | Ashley K. | | | | | Jordan | | |
| Louie | | | Unknown | | | | Tia | | CM Punk | | | | |
| Jordan | | | | Wes | Cara Maria | | | | | | Jordan | | |
| CM Punk | | | | | | | Tia | | Louie | | | | |
| Tia | | | Unknown | | | | Louise | | | | | | |
| Ashley K. | | | | CT | Cara Maria | | | | | | | | |
| Bananas | | | | Unknown | | | | | | | | | |
| Shawne | | | Shawne | | | | | | | | | | |
| Candice | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Veronica | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

## Episodes

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date | US viewers (millions) |
| 1 | 1 | "Secrets and Limes" | May 16, 2017 (2017-05-16) | 0.57 |
| 2 | 2 | "Settling the Scores" | May 23, 2017 (2017-05-23) | 0.53 |
| 3 | 3 | "Watch Out for the Wolfpack" | May 30, 2017 (2017-05-30) | 0.63 |
| 4 | 4 | "A Cold Day in Hell" | June 6, 2017 (2017-06-06) | 0.60 |
| 5 | 5 | "Immovable Objections" | June 13, 2017 (2017-06-13) | 0.58 |
| 6 | 6 | "No Guts No Glory" | June 20, 2017 (2017-06-20) | 0.53 |

## After filming
### Subsequent Challenges

| Name | Challenges | Challenges Won | Total Money Earned |
| Lolo Jones | Double Agents | None | $0 |
| Lolo Jones | - | - | $1,000 for charity |
| Louise Hazel | - | - | - |
| Louise Hazel | Champs vs. Stars (2018) | None | $35,200 for charity |
    Challenge in bold indicates that the contestant was a finalist on The Challenge.