The Challenge 10 Best Challengers 10-6
Jordan, CT, or Bananas? Who will be #1?
I recently made my list of the 10 best female competitors ever on The Challenge. It only made sense for me to make a list of the top 10 male competitors next. This list is a little harder because there are so many male challengers with at least two championships. I know this list will irritate some people too but hopefully everyone understands where I'm coming from.
10. Mark Long
Original Show - Road Rules: 1st Adventure
Daily Wins: 35 (Flagship) 4 (All-Stars)
Elimination Record: 0-2 (Flagship) 3-1 (All-Stars)
Flagship Seasons: 7
- Real World/Road Rules Challenge (1ST PLACE)
- Battle of the Sexes (1ST PLACE)
- Battle of the Sexes II
- The Gauntlet II (2nd)
- The Duel II (3rd)
- Exes
- Battle of the Era's
Spin-Offs: 2
- All-Stars 1 (5th)
- All-Stars 3 (4th)
Challenge Championships: 2
- Real World/Road Rules Challenge
- Battle of the Sexes
Mark Long is the origin story of The Challenge. He had to be on this list. I was considering a few different options here. I went with Mark because of his ability to get to the end. He has a 2nd place finish, 3rd place finish as well as two final appearances on All-Stars. I know he didn't perform well on Battle of the Era's but I'm not surprised by that.
9. Evan Starkman
Original Show - The Challenge: Fresh Meat
Daily Wins: 32
Elimination Record: 4-2
Seasons: 6
- Fresh Meat - Medical
- The Duel
- The Gauntlet III (2nd)
- The Duel II (1ST PLACE)
- The Ruins (1ST PLACE)
- Rivals
Challenge Championships: 2
- The Duel II
- The Ruins
Evan will continue to slide down this list. He is banned from The Challenge due to an incident on The Ruins. When Evan was on the show he was one of the best though. He won a solo season of The Duel II. He also was very good at keeping up with alliances and running the game. If he didn't throw the elimination against Chris "CT" Tamburello and Adam King on Rivals I think him and Nehemiah Clark would have had a chance to win Rivals.
8. Derrick Kosinski
Original Show - Road Rules: X-Treme
Daily Wins: 43 (Flagship) 4 (Flagship)
Elimination Record: 11-6 (Flagship) 1-2 (Flagship)
Seasons: 11
- Battle of the Sexes II
- The Inferno II (2nd)
- The Gauntlet II
- Fresh Meat
- The Duel
- The Inferno III (1ST PLACE)
- The Island (1ST PLACE)
- The Ruins (1ST PLACE)
- Cutthroat
- Dirty 30 (2nd)
- Battle of the Era's
Spin-Offs: 3
- All-Stars 1 (Purged in Final)
- All-Stars 2
- All-Stars 3
Derrick has made himself a career off of The Challenge. He now hosts a podcast called, Challenge Mania, where he interviews challengers on their time on the show. Besides the podcast Derrick is a challenge beast. He won 3 flagship seasons in a row. He is an elimination beast.
7. Kenny Santucci
- The Inferno III
- The Island
- The Ruins
Original Show - The Challenge: Fresh Meat
Daily Wins: 36
Elimination Record: 5-2
Seasons: 8
Fresh Meat (2nd)
The Duel
The Inferno III (1ST PLACE)
The Gauntlet III (2nd)
The Island (1ST PLACE)
The Ruins (1ST PLACE)
Fresh Meat II (2nd)
Rivals (2nd)
Challenge Championships: 3
Kenny was the best challenger in the teens seasons. He won 3 Challenge Championships and got 2nd place 4 times. He is also currently banned from The Challenge so he will not move up this list anymore. If he wasn't banned he would have probably had a Bananas' like career.
6. Wes Bergmann
Original Show - The Real World: Austin
- Fresh Meat (3rd)
- The Duel (1ST PLACE)
- The Ruins
- Fresh Meat II
- Rivals (2nd)
- Exes
- Battle of the Seasons II
- Rivals II (1ST PLACE)
- Exes II
- Rivals III
- War of the Worlds (3rd)
- War of the Worlds II
- Total Madness
- Double Agents
- All-Stars 3 (1ST PLACE)
- World Championship
- USA 2
Daily Wins: 25 (Flagship) 2 (All-Stars) 4 (World Tournament)
Elimination Record: 14-9 (Flagship) 1-0 (All-Stars) 1-2 (World Tournament)
Seasons: 14
Spin-Offs:
Honestly had Wes had potential to be the best challenger ever. It didn't follow through though. He was in complete control in Fresh Meat II and could have won that season. He made the final in Rivals and War of the Worlds and would have won those 2 seasons if not for different circumstances.
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Dylan Deckard
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Charleston, South Carolina
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Both actors are known for their ambition, sharp intelligence, and willingness to push creative boundaries. According to the producer, these shared traits made them “like-minded.” Shah Rukh Khan, often called the King of Bollywood, built his career on risk-taking and emotional depth. Priyanka Chopra, meanwhile, carved her space through versatility, confidence, and a refusal to be boxed into stereotypes revealed how quickly an actress could be sidelined when narratives turned uncomfortable. The Admission That Sparked Debate The producer’s statement, particularly the line “We treated the actress so badly,” struck a nerve. It suggested a rare moment of honesty in an industry that often avoids acknowledging its mistakes. While the producer did not go into specific details, the admission aligns with long-standing discussions about how Priyanka Chopra’s career in Bollywood slowed down despite her success. Many observers believe that unspoken rules, rumors, and power dynamics played a role in her professional isolation during that period. For fans, the statement confirmed what had long been suspected: talent and success do not always protect artists from unfair treatment. Power Dynamics in Bollywood Bollywood has historically been shaped by close-knit networks. While these connections can help careers grow, they can also limit opportunities when someone falls out of favor. Priyanka Chopra’s experience highlights how actors outside dominant circles may face consequences, even without formal accusations or conflicts. The producer’s reflection brings attention to the imbalance that often exists between male superstars and female actors. While Shah Rukh Khan’s career continued to rise, Priyanka faced reduced opportunities — not because of lack of talent, but because of circumstances beyond her control. This imbalance is not unique to one individual. 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They demand transparency and respect for talent, regardless of gender or status. Why This Matters Now The producer’s candid admission is not about reopening old wounds. It is about learning. It reminds the industry that: Talent should not be sidelined by politics Professional relationships must be handled responsibly Silence can sometimes enable unfair treatment For younger actors watching today, the story serves as both a warning and an inspiration. It shows how resilience can overcome rejection, but also how important it is for industries to create safer, fairer environments. Conclusion: A Lesson Beyond Stardom The story of Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra is not just about two stars. It is about ambition, power, and accountability in one of the world’s largest film industries. The producer’s admission — “We treated the actress so badly” — may not change the past, but it contributes to a more honest future. Priyanka Chopra’s global success stands as proof that talent finds a way, even when doors close. As Bollywood continues to evolve, such reflections offer hope that lessons learned will lead to a more inclusive and respectful industry — one where like-minded personalities are celebrated, not pushed aside.
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