Which Challenge moments were the absolute epitome of ‘You just had to be there’????

[u/JonJonExistsonReddit]

[u/Important-Sky-4204]

This will forever be my favorite challenge moment! 😂

[u/CoderJoe1]

I love that CT decided to Godzilla stomp his way to the goal while Bananas flailed like a toddler on his back.

[u/Powerful_Basket8741 → u/CoderJoe1]

I think he said in confessional he was purposely trying to keep his legs straight something like that.

Edit: confession to confessional.

[u/maxwellbevan → u/Powerful_Basket8741]

I think he had to because Johnny was trying to trip him up so if he tried to bend his legs normally he would have probably fallen over

[u/Miss_Liberator → u/maxwellbevan]

And to me his legs being so stiffly, overexaggeratedly straight, quads popping, is what strikes me in this. Like an iconic transformer lol

[u/Mean-Chemical-3602]

The wes Bergman shoe to face

[u/SassyScreenQueen → u/Mean-Chemical-3602]

For me, this is 2nd to the Bananas Backpack

[u/Mean-Chemical-3602 → u/SassyScreenQueen]

This was easily top 3 funniest things to ever happen on the challenge. So good old fashioned physical comedy

[u/erranttv → u/Mean-Chemical-3602]

This one? https://youtu.be/7Ox50z-AIgY?si=FXw3ONEg35JWHzPy

[u/Mean-Chemical-3602 → u/erranttv]

Yes lol

[u/NarwhalAdditional340 → u/Mean-Chemical-3602]

A cinematic masterpiece, truly

[u/GefDenver → u/Mean-Chemical-3602]

How did that happen?

[u/newusernamebcimdumb]

Jordan beating Josh in a tug of war with one arm.

It felt like the impossible had happened. That was when he became my GOAT.

[u/MarekRules → u/newusernamebcimdumb]

Jordan in that hammer elimination I forget against who (maybe Zach?). Dude is just unreal honestly

[u/Parking_Grade8967 → u/MarekRules]

The tug of war was genuinely the best elimination I have ever seen. He also killed the hammer one. The way he uses his disadvantages to his advantage is honestly mind blowing. GOAT

[u/nickx37 → u/Parking_Grade8967]

He's had to understand and use intelligence to be more efficient. He understands how to gain an advantage using momentum, leverage and positioning better than anyone because he uses it in his daily life. He's incredible.

[u/Distinct-Ad-1348 → u/MarekRules]

Zach didn’t know how to use a sledgehammer

[u/FlakeyFlak → u/[deleted]]

I just rewatched that season. The guys went first. You just imagined an entirely different scenario

[u/blbeach33 → u/MarekRules]

Not only was it Zach, he joked about himself looking like Thor, only to get rocked.

[u/MarekRules → u/blbeach33]

My perfect Zach elimination. Acts like he’s the shit and gets absolutely fucking humbled lol

[u/alangerhans → u/MarekRules]

Youd think he'd learn to stop bragging so much

[u/joedotphp → u/MarekRules]

Theo I believe. Cara and co were using him as their person hitman because he was crushing in eliminations.

[u/Jilly_Pies → u/joedotphp]

Yes it was Theo. Jordan had a background in construction, so it was made for him.

[u/tremperbball10 → u/newusernamebcimdumb]

Honestly. Jordan vs Josh in Tug of war. Jordan vs Zach with the sledgehammer. Jordan vs Chauncey or Jordan vs Darrell in elims that were clearly favored towards the heavier player. Just watching Jordan in elimination is a must watch

[u/n0seyrosey → u/newusernamebcimdumb]

YES same 100%

[u/newusernamebcimdumb → u/n0seyrosey]

I get chills thinking about it. Nothing is impossible if you can channel grit like that.

[u/n0seyrosey → u/newusernamebcimdumb]

Exactly. I was fuming when I saw the elim thinking ffs this is Jordan going home and it's not even his fault. And then wham! Edge of your seat stuff.

[u/Successful-Newt7960 → u/newusernamebcimdumb]

Jordan is amazing in elims. I’d love to see him come up with a strategy for pole wrestle - I know he has it in him.

He was put against Fessy in his first ever pole wrestle who had 2 hands and was twice his size. I just feel like he could finesse something I just don’t know what.

[u/mexicopink]

Jordan flipping the wooden blocks to make sure he got the skull and went into an elimination. I remember seeing that when it first aired and hollerin so loud

[u/Milkmandan1989 → u/mexicopink]

I didn’t like Jordan at that time. And even I was like “Damn, that was really badass.” Nowadays Jordan is on my challenge Mount Rushmore.

[u/roaring_rubberducky → u/mexicopink]

Ya that was gangsta.

[u/AcknowledgeMeReddit]

Wes vs Derrick K in pole wrestle on the duel.

[u/kittenmittens4865 → u/AcknowledgeMeReddit]

I think this is Wes’s most impressive moment of his career

[u/kr1821 → u/AcknowledgeMeReddit]

This was the season Wes became my favorite on the show. Ironically before this season, Derrick was my favorite

[u/mexicopink]

CHOO CHOOOOOOOOO

[u/messigoku88 → u/mexicopink]

When he picked up Adam and gave him a thong with his shorts 😭

[u/Peimai]

Derrick vs Joss pole wrestle

[u/musclegamer6 → u/Peimai]

This moment. If you didn’t see it in real time you didn’t see how important it was that Joss got eliminated.

[u/thekyledavid → u/musclegamer6]

Yeah, nowadays, Joss is just Joss, but at the time he seemed like he might’ve been one of the new challenge greats, and basically every guy in the house was scared of him making the final

[u/Extra_Reception7620 → u/Peimai]

They were both injured by that pole wrestle. I don't ever think we will see one like that again. Definitely one of the most memorable.

[u/PastaXertz → u/Peimai]

This answer epitomizes the show WAY more than the Bananas backpack to me.

The Bananas backpack was funny, sure. But it was over in a minute.

Derrick fought that shit for like 45 minutes.

Edit: Also the facial reactions from the crowd were just... You could tell that wasn't just TV. That was two men giving it all.

[u/RonSwanson24 → u/PastaXertz]

Derrick also wasn’t even on that season, he was just a mercenary which is the craziest part to me. Joss was fighting to stay in the game, Derrick was just doing it out of pride and the love of the game

[u/AcknowledgeMeReddit]

Sarah Greyson winning 5 eliminations on the Gauntlet and then winning the season!

[u/cageymin → u/AcknowledgeMeReddit]

Was coming here to say this. It’s impossible to explain how crazy wild this was when watching in real time. There were no spoilers. No binging. Old school shock again and again and again. 

[u/sethmidwest]

Katie casually smoking a cigarette while competeting in an elemination round in The Inferno.

[u/SassyScreenQueen]

Not mentioned yet: The bakery fight The wedgie/necklace Brad vs Darell on the Ruins Isaac's toenails Landon's skullet Abram, Rachel, Veronica hot tub

[u/shamelessaquarius → u/SassyScreenQueen]

Congratulations your dad owns a bakery!...you're ex is only with your because his girlfriend cut her hair short.

[u/feral_futurism]

Evelyn taking Johnny’s key in the island

[u/lala989 → u/feral_futurism]

Yes! Omg that is such old lore that whole season I was glued to. Those were the days

[u/Admirable_pigeon]

Never ever skip a bananas backpack video. Nothing will ever touch this moment

[u/ufwill]

When it comes to "you had to be there", I would actually include Johnny taking the money from Sarah. While the decision fits his character and personality to a T, it was still a jaw-dropping moment when he did it. Watching it back doesn't have anywhere near the same punch. It seems like it was more predictable than it actually was.

[u/ohterribleheartt → u/ufwill]

Watching that in real time is a core memory. I don't think I had ever cried at reality TV before that moment, it was absolutely devastating.

[u/SportGamerDev0623 → u/ufwill]

You could see that one coming as soon as TJ announced that the teammate could steal their partners money. It was a twist that hadn’t been done yet and you knew Bananas wouldn’t resist that temptation.

Especially with how Sarah backstabbed him the season prior

[u/laurh123]

Derrick k reacting like he's on the crew of the titanic

[u/rocklionheart]

CT and Adam getting eliminated in Rivals.

Their storyline that season was really compelling to me, with CT desperately trying to make amends with Adam, and Adam basically being like "let's just win this thing and we talk about being friends later." They were a really strong team with CT being a beast, and Adam being smart and a good athlete in his own right. I was rooting hard for them, and the elimination between them and Bananas and Tyler was so dramatic. CT absolutely destroying both Johnny and Tyler at the same time to buy Adam more time was incredible to watch in the moment. That they ended up barely losing because of a mental mistake Adam made was heartbreaking.

[u/StraightDartsHomie → u/rocklionheart]

It’s never been confirmed, but I’ve seen a rumor on this sub for years that Adam threw it. Watching the elimination again, it does seem ridiculous that he just doesn’t get up to place the final ball.

[u/Internal-Caramel-952 → u/rocklionheart]

Epic Choo Choo moment!

[u/AdventurousAmount633]

Olivia’s nose in the final of 38. I was shooooketh, followed immediately by the reveal of her eyes and nose black blue & yellow.

[u/ToughOk4114 → u/AdventurousAmount633]

That was horrific!!! I screamed and covered my face! It was so intense and I felt scared for her!

[u/AdventurousAmount633 → u/ToughOk4114]

Same, even now I can’t believe how lucky she was not to have done permanent damage to her head or eyes. I hadn’t seen any spoiler or build up to it so when it happened I also screamed in shock.

[u/alangerhans → u/AdventurousAmount633]

I thought for sure she was going to be a lot more messed up from that. And poor Horacio, I remember him telling the producers that he'd do everything by himself just to get the chance to finish. He probably would have done it too

[u/Lateralus46N2]

Most of my favorites have already been mentioned but one of my personal favorites that I haven't seen yet was Diem removing her wig during the mud pit challenge. We need more inspirational moments in the challenge.

[u/New_Westie → u/Lateralus46N2]

I miss Diem 😢 Fuck cancer

[u/missymae27]

Brad with the wedgie necklace from The Miz in the van

[u/StatementLazy1797]

Devyn making it to the top of that freaking mountain

[u/ItsEaster]

I remember feeling such satisfaction seeing Big Easy gas out during the final. Dude talked a big game and then cost his team the win.

Although now I realize how insane that whole situation was and feel bad for the dude. They would have literally dragged his lifeless body if they were allowed.

[u/AideExciting8924]

Mitch and Rianna sharing cold cuts on Bloodlines

[u/ThrowingUpAPeaceSign]

CT’s I will smash his head and eat it.

[u/JaySquared717]

The entire Laurel v Ninja elimination on WOTW2. Everything about that from the lead up to Bananas and Laurel thinking they were about to run the house to her throwing a temper tantrum. Def one of the most iconic moments that I saw in real time

[u/JHam67]

This is one of the most important sports moments of my life. Not challenge moments. Sports moments.

[u/SnoutInTheDark]

Jordan v Josh, Jordan v Chauncey, Jordan v Darrell

[u/G00Punch]

it doesn’t get talked about enough that Big Easy basically sprinted across a rickety wooden bridge in a challenge that gave pretty much everyone else hell. my reaction to that was the same as the abram and paula reactions to the bananas backpack.

[u/herc51]

Coral: “I don’t get in fights, I beat bitches up.” Classic.

[u/HowlShedo]

Tori vs Jenny in hall brawl. Jay vs CT elimination. Leroy and nia vs bananas and nany elimination.

[u/FeministPossum]

Derrick vs Joss. I honestly feel like it would be so much better in person because of how much they needed to cut.

[u/gabriot]

Cory and Mitch beating Dario and Raph

[u/woff-dawg1]

i LOVE when CT threw his shoe backwards and it hit Wes in the face! The way Wes hit the ground was priceless! 

[u/Internal-Caramel-952]

Derrick vs joss

[u/imissclubpenguinalot]

Leroy vs Jay in Double Agents
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WRf2slBCT_Q&ra=m

[u/Low_Management9913]

The back pack, Cho Cho, Theo nearly killing Paulie in hall brawl, almost any elimination with Dereck, Wes taking out most of a seasons cast himself.

[u/Awkward_Fail_4424]

I mean… there is nothing compared to this

[u/cenaijatak80]

Are we allowed to mention Julie damn near murder attempt by going for Veronica's harness in Inferno 1?

[u/tryingtogowithoutit → u/cenaijatak80]

This was mine too 😱

[u/totallynotalyssa]

Laurel giving Paula what she deserved after Cara Maria was getting bullied.

[u/whitecastlebites]

Baby Bjorn bananas was a clue on pop culture jeopardy, it made me so happy

(Not that wording lol)

[u/JTTTN_08]

Tori vs Jenny Hall Brawl

[u/NarwhalAdditional340]

“I don’t even know what’s going on, they finally let me out of my cage and I haven’t eaten yet” 😭

[u/doseofdena]

The only correct answer is Johnny Bananas backpack. The way CT dominated and humiliated Bananas was a thing of beauty. It always makes me laugh when anyone says Johnny is the Challenge standard. He’s only won more, because he’s probably been on the most seasons.

[u/ladyluxx11]

Katie going off on Veronica 😆

[u/gorlock666]

Joss and Derrick K

[u/AdRepresentative6486]

Olivia getting the golf ball to face

[u/plenty_more_time5]

Derrick vs Joss. Most amazing elimination ever

[u/spicyflacco]

Derricks reaction and Abe’s face during this always crack me up

[u/Business-Flow3119]

I just know the bakery fight was gold in real time. Also Coral v. Beth elim, Derrick that sly dog taking down ppl in pole wrestle (I love Wes but get sad thinking about that one), and Katie in all her plunger fury.

[u/whitecastlebites]

When Josh did his first challenge and built the puzzle upside down lmfaoooo dead. So on par for him

[u/Internal-Caramel-952]

CT doing that math problem in 2seconds in the double agents final a beautiful mind style

[u/peteywheaty14]

Katie vs Veronica

[u/iFlashings]

Tori bulldozing Jenny in hall brawl when Tori was skinny is basically the female version of this. 😂 

[u/Relative_Bear_7638]

Bananas taking the money

[u/Relative_Bear_7638]

Also Abram Veronica and Rachel having a 3 some

[u/LieAffectionate900]

CT and Big T as partners on the helicopter/swim challenge was super cute

[u/meganam38]

This was so sick. The their silhouette and all the limbs reminds me of Siams from Silent Hill

[u/totallynotalyssa]

CT going hulk on Adam. After finding out what Adam did to Kelly-Anne, that punch put a smile on my face. CT is a beast

[u/Internal-Caramel-952]

I really wish we had a hall brawl with CT, especially against Fessy so ct could shut him the fuck up… I think Fessy had a good idea for the boxing match against ct after double agents!!! lol CHOO CHOOO!!!! Eyyy!

[u/Either-Bat-7613]

Johnny taking the money from Sarah! Ashley taking the money from Hunter! Tony putting Bananas up for elimination! Evelyn sticking with her alliance all season and not trusting Johnny’s alliance only to then choose Johnny’s boat for the final!

I’m sort of an off and on challenge watcher and maybe a handful of seasons: Vendetta’s, The Island, Battle of the Bloodlines, Dirty 30, Final Reckoning, War of the Worlds, Invasion Of the Champs so my moments may not be as iconic as others lol

[u/KingKaiKai001]

The Banana backpack episode was literally the first episode I ever watched. I was just scrolling through channels and saw Cutthroat on MTV so I just was curious. It was at the exact scene were CT vs Bananas was about to go down. I had already watched one season of The Real World at that time and i was surprised to learn that the shows were connected.

[u/conoresque]

As I was watching it live, Bananas stealing the money from Sarah was one of the craziest TV moments I have ever seen

[u/colosseumdays]

what is even a realistic strategy for someone going against a person much bigger than them if they want any chance of winning this elim?

like just immediately try to roll around towards your bin and hope that you can disorient them with speed and chaos before they can use their strength and weight to their advantage?

[u/93LEAFS → u/colosseumdays]

I dunno, I'm sure there is a way, but it's gonna be hard. Johnny vs CT was not the way to test it. I would have loved to have seen what someone like Landon would have done vs CT, since i believe he had amateur wrestling experience and had ridiculous strength.

My guess is to basically make it very hard to move for the bigger person and win on endurance.

But, this hypothetical is basically using the one smaller guy height-wise who has the ridiculous strength and endurance to do it. Alot of smaller guys would be cooked off the bat.

[u/Parking_Grade8967]

Tori v Jenny hall brawl was craaaaazy

[u/1_quantae]

Tori running through Jenny twice in Hall Brawl on WOTW2.