DC ExtraTime In-Depth: Bananas vs. Wes - The Backstory

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Happy Memorial Day to all of you from DCBLOG, as we continue our look Inside the MTV Trifecta. And we are now into the homestretch of, what will ultimately be, a nine-month journey that began in Seattle, and after crisscrossing the globe to the Caribbean and then to three countries in the Asia/Pacific region, has brought us back to the West Coast and to Southern California, venue for The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros.
   For Challenge fans, there have been reasons to be excited the past several months: all-time beast CT becoming a two-time champion on Invasion of the Champions, underdog Ashley M. upsetting Camila to become the biggest surprise champion in more than a decade, and a lot of drama south of the top of the victory podium in Thailand. And of course, there is this special treat of those three, as well as seven other champions joining them to face off against ten professional athletes to see who is the best, while also letting twenty different charities and causes become the true champions of this season in all the money won here going to them on behalf of those competing on Champs vs. Pros.
   But at the top of the heap has been a bevy of one-on-one elimination battles that has gone down both in Asia inside the Fortress, and in the Cali sun for this special Challenge spinoff series. And this past week saw the latest Champs vs. Champs battle, which also marked the first-ever faceoff in an elimination arena between two of The Challenge's best-known competitors, and winningest players. That is the subject of this latest edition of ExtraTime In-Depth, where in the wake of this past week's battle, we focus on The Backstory of the rivalry between Johnny Bananas and Wes Bergmann.

DC WRAP: Challenge Champs vs. Pros EP. 2 & AYTO Second Chances Finale

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you get to enjoy the middle day of your Memorial Day weekend this Sunday, we have the WRAP to bring you here to look back on the week in the MTV Trifecta. This past week saw the finale of Are You The One? Second Chances in the confirmation of a man who saw a trip to Australia to enhance his legend, and together with his match from the South made easy work of the competition. And he can also be proud of what happened the previous night on The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros, as the guy he grew close with in the mansion they called home last year had his most satisfying moment ever on this franchise in beating his rival in another epic Champions elimination.

   We'll be covering both of them here in this truncated edition of the WRAP, ahead after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: AYTO Second Chances - The Finale

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Welcome on back to DCBLOG as we continue along going Inside the MTV Trifecta, as we turn our attention this Sunday of Memorial Day weekend with the final chapter of the latest quest to find love and money, and in this case, finding something more about why ten perfect matches were given a chance to find out why the science made them compatible. It's the last act of Are You The One? Second Chances, taking place down in Melbourne, Australia.
   Last week, the four semifinal matches of Adam & Shanley, Cameron & Mikala, Devin & Rashida and Morgan & Tori were all given their most demanding task yet for the final regular mission of the season: trying to put together an apartment to live in, and relying on going over the edge as well to make sure it all looked perfect. In the end, Devin & Rashida took yet another win to claim their spot in the final, which also saw Cameron & Mikala falter in last place, eventually being eliminated but not before the bombshell dropped by him making the choice to steal during their blind pick. And for Tori & Morgan, they decide to take relationship to another level by going up to the boom boom room.
   For this tenth and final week, it's the finale, and one last chance for the Originals, for Torgan and for the Puppet Masters to prove their worth. This won't come easy as a journey all around the second largest metropolis in the world's only island continent will take them from city to sea and will be tested on how much they have learned about one another as they race to get out of Melbourne. For here, the house will come to terms with their relationships, especially with those who don't finish top dog will have to deal with either losing some or all of their bank. And for the winning couple, they aren't gonna go home without one last test, which will cause concerns for whoever comes out on top.
   Ahead head, one last diary of this cycle at all the action, reaction and interaction of this last AYTO Wednesday, which also includes plenty of laughs and jaw-dropping moments when moments that have been left on the cutting room floor finally get shown for the first time. And after the Pulse on ExtraTime, you'll get a chance to meet the new Team MTV baby as the girl we saw last year get a ton of help from one of this season's finalists finally reveals her new princess. And we'll also let you in on another MTV alum announcing their entry into parenthood.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

Three worthy teams, and one last test... and meeting a baby Princess. It's all ahead on the finale 'Pulse of Are You The One? Second Chances.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros - "Settling the Scores"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

This is the unofficial start of the summer: Memorial Day Weekend, and wherever you are we hope are enjoying yourselves and taking advantage of this time to have some barbecue, enjoy the fireworks and relax out in the sun this three-day holiday weekend. And we at DCBLOG are here to bring you the week Inside the MTV Trifecta, starting with week 2 of The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros.

   Last week down in Southern California - and following a very chaotic Invasion Reunion with host Mike "The Miz," it was the premiere as ten Champions met up with ten Pros to compete to see who is the best in the fifth major pro sport. And as it was on Invasion, the champions lost their first challenge - this time to the pros when they outlasted them in the trek going across rope to rope. But the true breakout star was Lolo Jones, who has been doubted a lot throughout her career on the track and on the ice, but saved her most stellar performance for the elimination, winning it handily.

   This week, it's week 2, and fitting for the weekend we are enjoying the competitors embark on a race involving saran wrap, chips and some ketchup and mustard. Two NFL stars Shawne Merriman and Kamerion Wimbley, lead the group into pick-up football and escalates into big drama for two Olympians. And the attention turns to the guys for their shot at elimination, which leads to a wrestler getting in the face of this show's all-time champ, an NFL player and wrestler deciding to settle the score, and The Challenge's biggest rivalry to finally have things settled one on one.

All the action, reaction and interaction to this week in The Challenge is straight ahead here, along with the latest Challenge countdown in unseen moments. Plus, the diary has an ode to the 25th anniversary of The Real World this past weekend, and the tragedy in Manchester on Monday. And after the Pulse, ExtraTime has a follow-up on a couple who clicked up in Seattle last year, but have now headed down to that town no couple wants to head down to.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

Gridiron drama, scores settled, a heavyweight elimination and a breakup... it's all ahead on the 'Pulse of The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros on DCBLOG.

DC WRAP: Champs vs. Pros Premiere, Invasion Reunion & AYTO 2ndChances EP9

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's Tuesday, but not any ordinary Tuesday as we are heading towards the beginning of summer for many of you. And we at DCBLOG are back with you again to Wrap up this past week in the MTV Trifecta before new episodes air tonight.
   Last week saw the last act of an unpredictable Challenge season, the beginning of a special summer attraction full of Champs & Pros, and the last regular mission on AYTO Second Chances. We saw a lot go down on the Invasion Reunion hosted by a true Trifecta icon, an Olympian who's been doubted all her life respond in a big way, and saw how it all ended unfortunately for a budding perfect match.
   We'll recap it all for you here before we proceed with Act 2 down in SoCal and the Australian finale tomorrow night, along with a couple specials as well. Then, on the topic of having seen her fellow friend return to our MTV airwaves this past week, we'll catch up with a Challenge stalwart and Road Rules veteran as she now looks forward to a new addition in her life. That's all ahead.

DC SocialPulse: AYTO Second Chances - "Over the Edge"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's Sunday Funday and a notable day in MTV history as The Real World turns 25 years old today. And as you enjoy this Sunday, why not take a moment to catch up on our look at the penultimate episode of Are You The One? Second Chances,
   Last week in Melbourne, the pairs were given the task to throw something they're familiar with from their original AYTO seasons: throwing a party by the beach. For a pair we affectionately call the Originals, Shanley and Adam experienced a roller coaster of emotions that saw them finally get back on track in becoming power couple but dissipated over trying to communicate well enough. For the man they call Big D, he reveals a devious plan with his partner Rashida as the possibility of stealing still looms. And for another perfect match, Cameron & Mikala is further drifting apart.
   This week is the last week before the final, and in a twist of fate, we still have those three couples and Tori & Morgan by way of yet another blind choice. Here, tempers will no doubt flare when the last regular season mission quite literally sends the matches over the edge as they try to earn their spot in the final. For one perfect match, their relationship no doubt hangs on in the edge, while for another, they take their relationship to another level after what has transpired in the past.

All the action, reaction and interaction from this week is ahead here, plus heartache for the first couple of Season 5. And after the diary, a week after Mother's Day we'll share you some moments of Team MTV saying "Thank You Mom."

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

After the jump, Week 9 of Are You The One? Second Chances.

DC SocialPulse: Champs vs. Pros Premiere & Challenge Invasion Reunion

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Welcome to the weekend, as we now enter the late part of spring and race towards the summertime. And when it's the weekend, it also means one thing: DCBLOG taking you Inside the MTV Trifecta. And we kick things off with a transition of sorts in the fifth major pro sport as we head towards the conclusion of this cycle of covering this great passion of ours on this site: one the final act of the season that was in Thailand, and the other - the beginning of something unique.

   This week sees the kick off of a special six-week mini season of The Challenge in Champs vs. Pros, as NFL star Victor Cruz takes over for TJ Lavin as host of this season full of all-stars from all around the sports world as they take on seven champions we just saw on Invasion of the Champions plus three more making their return. Here, it's Olympic athletes, NFL stars, and an icon of fight sports, taking on the likes of Bananas, Wes, CT, Cara Maria, Camila and others in the SoCal sun for not just glory but also charity as well.

   But first, as the co-feature to this week's Challenge Tuesday, there's the always-entertaining conclusion to any season of the Trifecta: the Reunion, and for The Challenge, it's Invasion of the Champions with a true MTV icon. And to help commemorate the 25th anniversary of Real World this weekend - Season 10 Back to New York alum turned WWE Champion Mike "The Miz" hosts the big show as many of the castmates gather to discuss rivalries, friendships, hook-ups and more from Thailand... and plenty of drama too.
   Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction of this Double Shot of The Challenge and the surrounding buzz from this week, including Mother's Day. And on this graduation weekend for many of you, after the Pulse on ExtraTime we'll catch up with a Real World'er from a few years back who was part of a fan favorite couple and has now experienced that feeling of getting a college diploma.

First, as we commence this miniseries… just in case you're joining us for the first time here by just finding us here - then welcome in and get yourself comfortable. If you're a fan of The Challenge, or its feeder shows Real World and Are You The One?, then DCBLOG is the place for those who want more from the MTV Trifecta. And The 'Pulse is an signature feature offering a look at the other show that takes place concurrent to the madness of what we're seeing on TV: the social media interaction between cast members, alumni and fans from Twitter. It becomes equal to the big show as they wrap themselves around the communal viewing experience of watching themselves on TV.

   Presented each weekend to kick off our weekly wave of posts, these exclusive running diaries are specially designed, curated and pieced together by yours truly in real-time - tweet by tweet and uncensored - to bring the hookups, drama, action and all else to you here. This is a service to all of you fans - both those who just want to relive the action, reaction and interaction in real time, or for the many who might not have experienced the buzz at the time of the episodes' ET airing and want to catch up in these diaries, posted to you here after it airs on MTV wherever you are.

   The Pulse is just part of DCBLOG's all-encompassing Trifecta coverage: with episode Wraps, thoughtful & in-depth analysis, and ExtraTime original stories, we take you beyond the drama to cover the people and the stories that take you beyond the hype, the headlines and the hookups. And it's presented by this long-time MTV fan who loves these shows as much as you do, has become good friends with a lot of the castmates, and now translates that passion into this site.

Now, the following are the actual tweets of the cast, alumni and fans as we got to see the premiere, along with the buildup to, and the aftermath of, the premiere and the Invasion reunion.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

Drama on stage, drama on the field, drama in the house, and a graduation... it's all coming up on this DC Challenge 'Pulse Double Shot.

MTV Trifecta: Countdown to The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As we bring you in on this Tuesday, we have arrived at the final show of this cycle of the MTV Trifecta that began all the way back in October in Seattle and have taken us to three countries and will conclude in June close to home with our fifth series we've covered in the past eight months. And now that we have crowned our champions of Season 29 of The Challenge Invasion in CT and Ashley, we now turn our attention to something new and unique and will offer a fitting crescendo to what we have been able to experience during this journey.

If they say The Challenge is the fifth major pro sport, then a lot of you have wondered to yourself how those who compete in other sports might fare on this revered show? Well, your wish will be granted as this cycle of the MTV Trifecta will reach its crescendo with this special series called, The Challenge - Champs vs. Pros. CT, Ashley and eight other champions who have at least one of these -- seven from Team Champions in Thailand plus the eighth in the new queen of this show, will be coming here just off the plane from Thailand with a stop in New York for the reunion that proceeds the show. Awaiting them are ten top athletes from the entire sports spectrum: nine from the U.S. and a tenth from Great Britain and who have experience in the NFL, the Olympics, UFC, WWE and surfing to create the ultimate grudge match and a true battle to see who is best.

Coming up in this preview, we'll have a look at the pros who will be taking to the field to compete against Team MTV and provide some background and analysis on all of them, including the man who will take over, at least for this season, by the guy who brought the salsa dance to Sundays. We'll also meet the ten champions who'll go into battle on this season, go over the format, and offer a "Who Are These Newbies?" look at one of them making their return after a many years' absence.

So as we always like to say here, get out that Under Armour jersey, get yourself set and join in with us after the jump as DCBLOG previews at The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros.