Who Will Win 'The Challenge: Final Reckoning'? Ranking Every Team This Season

Good luck if you’re already trying to predict who will be the eventual winner of MTV’s “The Challenge: Final Reckoning.” The teams formed in the season premiere appear to be largely even, and the show will likely feature multiple twists that alter the game well before the final.

We still don’t know what all the teams will look like after episode No.1. Twenty-eight contestants were split into teams of two during the premiere, but Johnny Bananas wasn’t given a partner just yet. Kailah and Melissa were both sent home for engaging in a physical altercation, leaving their respective partners (Kayleigh and Kam) in limbo.

Three teams were sent into the Redemption House after the first challenge—the cast was initially told those teams were going home—and it’s unknown what they’ll need to do to get back in the competition.

It would be hard to deny that a few teams seem to have advantages over others. Experience often plays a big role in each season, and some contestants prove year after year that they should be considered among the favorites whenever they are on the show.

Let’s rank the possible champions of “Final Reckoning,” starting with the most likely winner:

1) Amanda Garcia and Zach Nichols

After finishing in second place on “Vendettas,” Zach has managed to reach the final in three of his five full “Challenge” seasons. Amanda made it pretty far in her second season on “Invasion of the Champions” before an early exit on “XXX: Dirty 30.” They also worked well enough together in the premiere to win the first challenge.

2) Kyle Christie and Brad Fiorenza

They are physically the strongest team, and both players made it far on “Vendettas.” Brad has a terrific history in eliminations, and Kyle had an impressive performance in his first season. Most importantly, they’ve got one of the weakest rivalries on “Final Reckoning,” giving them a good chance to work well together as a team. It’d be fair to make Kyle and Brad the favorites, though that could cause other teams to try to eliminate them early.

3) Sylvia Elsrode and Joss Mooney

Perhaps the most physically imposing contestant, Joss seemed like he was on his way to the “Vendettas” final as a rookie before he was defeated by Derrick Kosinski in maybe the toughest elimination of all-time. Sylvia might be among the most underrated competitors, considering her 3-1 record in eliminations. Neither player seems to have much bad blood with the rest of the house, giving them a good chance to survive all the way to the final.

4) Veronica Portillo and Chris “CT” Tamburello

When it comes to actual eliminations and challenges, CT might be the most dangerous player in the game. He’s been dominant since returning from a two-year hiatus, winning consecutive “Champs vs. Stars” titles to go along with winning “Invasion of the Champions” and a third-place finish on “XXX: Dirty 30.” Even though Veronica might be perceived as one of the weakest competitors, her “Challenge” experience makes her more of a threat than some might believe.

5) Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio and ?

This team can only be so high on the list without knowing the identity of the second member, but Bananas alone puts the pair in the top five. He’s the bonafide “Challenge” GOAT with six championships in 16 seasons, though that does put a target on his back. It was what ultimately got Bananas eliminated on “Vendettas.”

6) Cara Maria Sorbello and Marie Roda

You can be pretty sure that any team with Cara Maria won’t be eliminated early. The reigning “Challenge” champion has made it to episode No.10 in each of her last six seasons. She has two titles and a second-place finish in three of her last four seasons, in addition to a dominant elimination record. If Marie has a decent showing and the pair can put aside their personal differences, they’ll be one of the most dangerous teams this season.

7) Nelson Thomas and Shane Landrum

Neither Nelson nor Shane should be considered a weak player in terms of the actual competition. Nelson has just one loss in eliminations, even going toe-to-toe with Darrell Taylor last season. Shane has more experience than most and usually finds a way to stick around. But neither one can call themselves a “Challenge,” champion, and Shane’s propensity to cause drama could come back to bite the team.

8) Natalie Negrotti and Paulie Calafiore

Natalie is coming off her first “Challenge” season and Paulie is a rookie, though there’s probably something to be said for having competed on a show like “Big Brother.” Because of the now-confirmed Paulie-Cara Maria hookup, it’s a pretty safe bet that the team will be around for at least a little while.

9) Tori Deal and Derrick Henry

Tori should be considered one of the best female competitors after reaching the final on her only season. Derrick barely had a cup of coffee on “The Challenge” as an early elimination victim on “XXX: Dirty 30.” Picking a pair of exes with just two seasons of combined experience to make a deep run probably isn’t the smartest idea.

10) Kam Williams and Kayleigh Morris

Unless MTV plans on bringing in a new rival for each contestant, it only makes sense that Kam and Kayleigh will be paired as a team after Kailah and Melissa were sent home. Kam was one of the most impressive rookies ever with a 3-0 elimination record on “Vendettas,” and it helps that the two contestants aren’t true rivals. They just can’t be ranked any higher because we don’t know for sure that they’ll be a team.

11) Jenna Compono and Jemmye Carroll

The only team of “Challenge” veterans in the Redemption House has to have some sort of advantage over their competition. They’ve got three final appearances and 11 total seasons combined.

12) Britni Thornton and Chuck Mowery

Putting a pair of exes in a house even smaller than the actual “Challenge” house probably isn’t a recipe for success. Britni did win her first two eliminations as a rookie on “XXX: Dirty 30,” but it’s unknown what to make of Chuck.

13) Da'Vonne Rogers and Jozea Florez

They are the only team in the Redemption House without a member that has been in multiple seasons. Jozea was on the most recent season of “Champs vs. Stars,” but he didn’t prove to be among the best competitors. Da’Vonne is a rookie, and it isn’t likely that either player would have a strong alliance in the house.

14) Faith Stowers and Angela Babicz

As the only team of two rookies, Faith and Angela have to be last on the list. Starring on “Vanderpump Rules” and “Bad Girls Club” doesn’t exactly prepare you for “The Challenge.” Rookies are usually forced to prove themselves early. Their best hope is to avoid being sent into elimination because they are a perceived layup.