MTV Trifecta: Countdown to The Challenge - Champs vs. Stars III

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Welcome to Coachella Weekend, and this week's ride Inside the MTV Trifecta with DCBLOG. Thursday saw our first look at Ex On The Beach with some familiar faces from both MTV and the entire reality TV spectrum, and you can check out our preview of that here. And this coming week will no doubt be a busy one with the true finale of The Challenge Vendettas to come in a few days, and we'll have more on that coming up later.
   And as another season of The Challenge comes to an end, there was a time where fans could gather around during the offseason and speculate who would be on the next season and yearn for when their favorite show would return, while reflecting on seasons gone by. Nowadays, the thing they call the fifth major pro sport is a year-round happening thanks to when, last year, MTV gave the legion of fans something to look forward to in between regular seasons of this show by creating a new spinoff series and fulfilling the fantasies of many fans of inviting athletes and celebrities to compete against heavy-hitters and past champions to see who is tops in head-to-head competition.
   After seeing five past champions add to their stellar resumes in Darrell and Cara Maria on Champs vs. Pros, and then Bananas, CT and Emily last winter, The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars returns for its third installment come this Tuesday, all after we find out who reigns supreme on Vendettas with one of those champions in line to potentially add another crown to their trophy case. This grudge match again will find out who is best in a fantasy battle turned into reality, but this time the game changes considerably as the saying, "If you can't beat them, join them" will apply to the twist of what this season will be about.
   There are familiar names on both sides of the ball -- old guard, new generation and celebrities from around the pop culture spectrum covering music, sports and television... and the man who just became the newest dad in both the MTV and WWE communities, Mike "The Miz," returns to again serve as host. But the game is the same: the same kind of competitions we're used to on The Challenge to find out which is the best, and who will split the top prize of $150,000, all while understanding that at the end of the day, the worthy charities, foundations and social causes the twenty competitors are competing for and are passionate about are the true champions.

We'll have a look at all of the ten stars who have been chosen to make up the opposition for this season of Champs vs Stars ahead, along with who will be representing Team Champions, all as this will debut in the midst of springtime and after a Challenge that kicked off the new year. Get set and join in with us after the jump...

 WHAT TO EXPECT... 

As it was last year, challengers and celebrities will compete each week in grueling missions to test their different strengths such as endurance, agility, brawn and skill set. And after each challenge, the winning team will choose their Most Valuable Player (MVP) who will receive $5,000 for their charity (which unlike Vendettas, it is guaranteed), gain safety from elimination, and will nominate their team's least valuable player (LVP) to go into the ensuing elimination. The same will go for the losing side, who will also vote their LVP into that battle, and the two players will go at it one on one to keep their spot in the game. This will continue on until we reach the final, where the last ones standing will battle it out, and for $150,000 to donate to their beloved and respected charities of their choosing.
   But as an effort to prevent the almost total dominance the Champions had on Champs vs. Stars over the winter, there is a tinkling to this game to make it almost an even affair. For the first time in the one-year history of this format, the teams will be mixed with both champs and celebrities competing together on the same team, and they will also face off with in weekly eliminations until one team is left and will have proven that they are the ultimate Challenge MVP.

 MEET THE STARS 

● DRAKE BELL (Actor): Champs vs. Stars marks a homecoming to the Viacom family for Drake Bell, who as a child star is best known to a lot of you millennials for his lead role alongside Josh Peck on Drake and Bell on Nickelodeon as well as The Amanda Show and All That. That was then... this is now: in his 30s he's a big man and breaking away from being that good boy next door with tattoos and a new body, and an actor excelling on the camera and in the voice booth. As pointed out in a full post by Allan Aguirre on Medium, he may surprise just about everyone with his competitive drive, balance, agility, and pop culture knowledge which may help him in the all important trivia challenges. Global Down Syndrome is who he's playing for.

● LIL MAMA (Rapper): Ten years ago, Lil Mama dropped her debut studio album in the Top 25 of the Billboard 200 and had several hit singles, award nominations and two Teen Choice Awards surfboards. But MTV fans know her best as a longtime judge of seven seasons on America's Best Dance Crew, and to VH1 viewers for playing Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in its biological film on TLC, CrazySexyCool. Her nickname derives itself from her being the oldest of her eight siblings to her late mom, and is one who is sassy and outspoken... something that might fit this Challenge very well. Lil Mama is competing for New York City charity Man Up! Inc.

● CASPER SMART (Dancer): To the casual one who just loves celebrity tea, Beau "Casper" Smart is best known for his few years, on & off relationship with one of those he's helped choreograph dance moves to, Jennifer Lopez, before she turned her attention to Alex Rodriguez. But he's also fits the title "jack of all trades very well: a dancer, adrenaline enthusiast, the man behind the choreography for Dirty Dancing, and a Rolodex of big name celebs including Nicki, Ariana, Beyonce, Eminem and Flo-Rida. All this experience may help Casper give the Challengers a run for their money, but his true challenge is to try to play nice with the others. Inner City Arts LA is his charity.

● BROOKE HOGAN (Actress/Musician): As the daughter of the Hulkster, Brooke Hogan is someone who is no stranger to the spotlight of being a wrestler's daughter. From from an early age, her passion has been music, with a Top 40 single and album which was documented on two series on VH1, Hogan and Brooke Knows Best. She went into acting in low-budget films and TV shows, then before seguing back into the music scene followed in the footsteps of her daddy Hulk and became part of TNA Wrestling. Given that experience, she will no doubt have as intimidating a physical presence to all the others females on Champs vs. Stars, with PETA being her charity.

● HENNESSY CAROLINA (Love & Hip Hop): It's been quite a week for Cardi B in her revealing a baby bump on SNL, hosting with Jimmy Fallon and appearing on TRL, and now it's her sister's turn to take over the spotlight, if only for a moment. Hennessy Carolina is someone who, despite being just 5'1", is someone used to the glamour of the Hollywood scene in appearing with her sister on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York and being a regular on the red carpet. But even by herself she can boast just as large a profile as her sis: 2 million Instagram followers as a budding fashion designer, and who made headlines wearing white roses at the Grammys as part of the #MeToo movement. She is ready to take Champs vs. Stars by storm in this most ideal time, competing for BronxWorks.

● DANIEL GIBSON (Former NBA Player): Ask the athletes of the Stars side who has had the most impressive teammates, and one will no doubt pop up: former NBA star Daniel Gibson played alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving for the Cavs. His grandma coined him "Booby," and the phrase "If you wanna win, put Booby in" was never more prevalent than scoring 31 in Cleveland's 2007 Eastern Conference title clincher. With this athletic ability, he will be one to watch here, but for this budding hip-hop artist who's also been on Love & Hip Hop, Daniel is also calculated, smart and eager to learn this game from inside, as American Diabetes Association is his charity.

● SELITA EBANKS (Model/Actress): Selita Ebanks is best known for adorning the pages of Sports Illustrated, Vogue and walking the runway of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. This Cayman Islands native who once dated AYTO host Terrence J. might be gorgeous, tall and dark, but is someone not to be underestimated because of being fierce and driven. With her experience on The Celebrity Apprentice and even on Husbands of Hollywood as Kevin Hart's love interest, she has the experience to play the politics of this game. And as a humanitarian, activist and a former foster child, she is passionate about her charity New Yorkers for Children and giving back to them.

● ARIAN FOSTER (Former NFL Player): After what we saw with CM Punk, Terrell Owens and Team USA on these two past seasons, the status of most prominent Pro on CVS III falls in the hands of Arian Foster. He amassed four Pro Bowl selections, an NFL rushing crown, 6,500 career rushing yards and 3,000 more with the Tennessee Vols in college. But beyond that, he has been called "The NFL's Most Interesting Man" for a philosophy major, his brief time as a vegan, and an increasing TV/film resume. But most of all, his charity, Arian Foster Family Foundation, aims to give families and children in underserved communities, as much help as he can and will fuel his drive here.

● LOUISE HAZEL (Athlete & Champs vs. Pros): Along with Booby and Arian, Louise Hazel poses a strong threat as elite athlete, who makes history along the way. As the first returning Star to this spinoff having been on Champs vs. Pros last summer, she proved she could be just as good playing the politics as she is on the field and with the rest of the Challenge big names, and her scheming to put Lolo Jones into elimination is valid proof. She returns for her second time being entirely focused on overcoming that final hurdle to get into the final... even if it can take having to do anything she can to get there. Louise is competing for the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Children.

● JOZEA FLORES (Big Brother 18): With two of his fellow houseguests having been on Vendettas and another making way for Ex on the Beach, Jozea Flores continues the Big Brother invasion into MTV territory. This model, makeup artist and "Massiah" had a short run in summer paradise two years ago losing to Victor in Redemption, but Jozea is no stranger to playing the game which, thanks to having Challenger Natalie as a friend, will help him maneuver through the CVS maze -- including get to speak his mind. And with a love of yoga and extreme hiking, it may play to his strengths as Jozea plays for Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

 MEET THE "CHAMPS" 

● WES 2x CHAMP : As one of just two Challengers to be on all three seasons of Champs vs. Stars, Wes has continued his reputation as "Master Manipulator" on the spinoff as is his elimination mastery. But after getting schooled in a challenge he had in his hand that got away from him on CVS II, Wes returns to show that Ginger is big, strong and determined to again play the politics. And for someone who hasn't been victorious at the very end since winning Rivals II -- and that his ultimate Vendetta of Bananas not around this time, he is determined to return to the winners circle as the face of the Champs team. And with being friends with Louise, he should use that alliance to his full advantage as he looks to notch his first CVS win, playing for 36 Degrees North.

● KAILAH FINALIST : As she looks to notch a Challenge title a year after making her debut, Kailah has already earned a reputation as this game's most hated girl with her hair, tattoos and explosive attitude. And regardless of whether she wins in hour 1 Tuesday, she's already arrived at the next level as a fierce competitor and one who doesn't have any remorse in being able to ignite flames in the house. As she enters this CVS stage for the first time, a new task at hand is to try and stay calm and still stand strong among her Champs team when the drama begins. Her charity is 4KIDS South Florida.

● TORI FINALIST : As arguably AYTO's most well-known female alum, Tori has already made her mark on The Challenge. She made a final in her rookie season of Dirty 30, joined Champs vs. Stars II as a replacement, and invaded the game as a Mercenary on Vendettas. She's back to leave it all out there with her signature combo of a fiery persona, determination and athleticism, and has already proved she has all the traits to become a Challenge great in being part of the veteran troupe. And with a new nickname of Tornado Tori, she will again come in to charm the men and become friends with the ladies as she competes for PANCAN.

● ANEESA FINALIST : For the ageless wonder of The Challenge, Aneesa is no doubt a legend of this show by adding yet another appearance to her unattainable record for most appearances despite not tasting the glory of a title. She was once the Elimination Queen of this show, and if what happened with her as a Mercenary this past season is proof she can still play dirty, and have determination and heart too. She knows that this game is still strong her her at this veteran stage of her career, and despite CVS' exhibition nature she feels that her time to finally have the kind of championship feeling those in Philly have had lately will come to her, as she competes for RAINN.

● SHANE: Part of the current wave of returning veterans to this Challenge community, Road Rules alum Shane emerged from a long hiatus to join Invasion of the Champions last year and made quite a mark in Asia both on the field and in the house. Despite coming up short on Vendettas, Shane knows he still has much to prove both to himself and to the veterans he will compete with here. He remains in top form to handle the physical part of the game, but it's his honesty that has made his legend and with being the only member of Team Champs to not have a finals appearance, it will no doubt motivate Shady Shane. The True Colors Fund is who he's competing for.

● ASHLEY CHAMP : The past year has been tough for Ashley: a family tragedy on the last Champs vs. Stars, and withdrawing from Dirty 30 before competition began. But after reemerging as a Mercenary on Vendettas, Ashley is finally ready to rejoin The Challenge and prove that what she did on Invasion of win the title in only her 2nd start was anything but a fluke. One moment, she can be "Smashley" who can have a big-time meltdown and cause plenty of drama. But the next minute, this West Virginian can prove that despite being being small she can be tough as nails. As she returns as a competitor to this game, will focus or emotions be the order of the day? She plays for Malara Fund.

● TONY FINALIST: As he brings his "It's Tony Time!" slogan from a finals trip & a breakthrough season on Vendettas to his first Champs vs. Stars appearance, it's sure gonna be an interesting one for Tony. Known for all of his tumultuous relationships and the drama he's had in in his five previous starts and his original Real World season, he has definitely made so much strides to now be on the verge of becoming a Challenge force. As he continues to compete for his two young daughters back home as well as a girlfriend he hopes to make Mrs. Raines soon, Tony still has much to prove as he looks to take the next step to champion, hoping his ego doesn't get in the way as he plays for Hand On NOLA.

● CT 2x CHAMP : A bad boy who boasts a dad bod and who comes here as reigning titlist of Champs vs. Stars, CT returns to defend his crown, raise more money for his charity F.I.G.H.T., and to tell the Stars they're in Champs territory. We know how he's much of a beast he's always been on this show, being able to eat anything given to him, and not backing down from conflict -- what he did with Terrell Owens last season is vivid proof. There's little he can or will not do for a win, and will remain that force to both teams on this side while also lending his experience to this next generation.

● DEVIN FINALIST : Though he helped pull off what was the Trifecta's biggest ever comeback until last year, we last saw AYTO alum Devin have his finest hour where he managed to look straight in the eye of Johnny Bananas in elimination and both beat him at his game and send him home. Now that he's made his way to Champs vs. Stars, his new challenge is to prove he can compete with the might of the veterans who make up Team Champs. While we know him for the dry humor, wit and being a manipulation expert, Big D has lettered in three sports and comes here with alliances and a goal to return to the top of the victory podium. Bregamos Community Theater is who he's playing for.

● KAM FINALIST : Straight off of a finals trip and a more than respectable rookie campaign on Vendettas, Killa Kam is looking to continue the momentum on Champs vs. Stars. Joining those who've won three eliminations in one season in their first go, she returns to bolster her already strong reputation as she not only brings a fellow dolphin in Kailah to this game but also join the vets she faced as Mercenaries: Tori, Ashley & Aneesa. A flight attendant who's now a vlogger, this single lady and AYTO alum won't have to worry about love interests distracting her as she gets ready to turn things up here, competing for Lady Outreach.


Sure, there are just three past champions on a team branded as "Team Champs" and there's one on that team who's never made a final in his Challenge career. Still - in his Medium preseason preview, Allan (@TheAllanAguirre) noted how he feels that Champs vs. Stars III might have the ideal cast despite the absence of one Johnny Bananas (though with him winning CVS 2 it more than fulfilled his promise to his Special Olympics charity). Pros was all about the competition and it was much more competitive, while Stars I was catered to the casuals and was a season-long veterans clinic.
   There will be something for everyone to cater to everyone: the veterans diehards have grown up with, the new generation to bring new fans to this show, world class Pro athletes who still have what it takes to excel in this game, and stars from music, TV and social media that will become attached to what happens when all of these corners intersect to make for this promises to be quite a season. Let's hope it deliver and then some.

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Make sure to follow DCBLOG as we'll again bring you our best-in-class coverage of the MTV Trifecta and both this Champs vs. Stars Challenge and what debuts two nights later in Ex On The Beach with Cory, Kam's AYTO castmates and reality TV's finest. The 'Pulse will again allow you to see the other show that takes place in the spontaneous interaction of every episode through the social media spectrum, while the WRAP will have the usual recaps and related weekly coverage in our unique style, and our compelling, trademark original storytelling with the ExtraTime franchise.
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   We'll be covering the first part of this past week's Reunion Finale for The Challenge Vendettas later this weekend along with our usual weekly episode coverage. But this weekend, attention is being paid to two big events taking place on #DCNOW: the 2018 NBA Playoffs tipping off with the Warriors and the Spurs in Oakland, followed by Day 2 of Coachella as Beyonce, Post Malone and more take the stage in the Inland Empire. Join In for all of that starting now on Twitter @DC408DxNow... see you there, and see you back here later this weekend.

- I AM DC