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Chris "C.T." Tamburello found himself at the center of house drama on Wednesday's September 17 episode of The Challenge following his partner Leka's elimination. The veteran competitor faced intense criticism from fellow contestants who blamed his poor performance in the previous daily challenge for sending Leka home. MTV's long-running competition series pairs contestants who must work together through physical and mental challenges while navigating complex social dynamics and elimination rounds.
CT's struggles in recent episodes have been uncharacteristic for the typically dominant competitor. His subpar showing in the daily challenge directly resulted in his partner's departure, sparking outrage among other contestants who felt Leka deserved better.
The house repeatedly chanted "Justice for Leka" in front of CT, creating a hostile environment for the veteran player. Most concerning to his fellow competitors was speculation that CT deliberately threw the challenge to eliminate Leka, though he vehemently denied these accusations in conversations with other players.
The backlash highlighted how partner dynamics can dramatically affect individual games, especially when experienced players appear to underperform. With the "lock-in" approaching, where top point-earners select permanent partners, CT needed to prove he remained a viable competitor worth choosing for the final stretch of the season.
What happened between CT and Leka that caused the backlash on The Challenge?
CT's elimination-causing performance in the daily challenge became a major talking point among contestants. His inability to execute the challenge successfully left Leka vulnerable to elimination, despite her own capabilities as a competitor.
The house's reaction was swift and unforgiving. Contestants began chanting "Justice for Leka" whenever CT was present, making it clear they held him responsible for her departure. CT took most of the criticism in stride, acknowledging his role in Leka's elimination. However, he drew the line at accusations that he intentionally threw the challenge to eliminate his partner.
During heated conversations, particularly with Dee Valladares, CT adamantly denied throwing the challenge on purpose. He insisted his poor performance was a genuine failure rather than a strategic manipulation. The newest daily challenge, called "Cyclone," allowed CT to prove his continued competitiveness. The demanding task required partners to climb a 30-foot container with climbing walls and transport blocks before completing a 500-meter swim.
CT initially showed promise by scaling the climbing wall with surprising energy and determination. His early performance suggested he was ready to bounce back from his previous struggles.
Unfortunately, his momentum faltered when he dropped off the wall and found himself struggling in the water portion of the challenge. This setback prevented him from completing the strong showing he needed.
His partner, Michaela Bradshaw's decided to openly throw the challenge, making matters worse. Her obvious lack of effort automatically sent CT into the elimination arena, regardless of his individual performance. Sydney Segal and Yeremi Hykel won the daily challenge, earning the power to select CT's elimination opponent. Despite Derek Chavez's attempts to avoid the arena, the winning pair chose him over veteran competitors like Derrick Kosinski and Leroy Garrett.
The House vote overwhelmingly supported sending Derek against CT, setting up a physically mismatched elimination. The arena challenge turned out to be pole wrestling, heavily favoring CT's size advantage.
With approximately 100 pounds on Derek, CT dominated the physical competition. He won the first two rounds decisively, securing his return to the house and proving he remained a formidable competitor. After his victory, CT acknowledged:
"If it was any other elimination, Chavez would've had a chance to beat me. Just not this one."
He recognized both his advantage and Derek's overall strong game performance.
What to expect from house dynamics moving forward?
CT's elimination victory appeared to ease some tension with his fellow contestants on The Challenge. Preview footage suggested he would be welcomed back enough to earn toast-making duties during a house celebration.
However, questions remain about his viability as a partner choice for the final stages of the competition. His recent inconsistent performances might make other contestants hesitant to align with him permanently. Host T.J. Lavin announced that the next challenge would be individual-based and "the most important of the season so far," giving CT another opportunity to prove his worth.
This episode highlighted how even veteran competitors can face scrutiny when their performance affects others. CT's acknowledgment that this represents "probably the worst performance I've ever put on in a Challenge" shows his awareness of the situation's gravity.
His ability to bounce back in elimination demonstrates that his competitive fire remains intact, even if his consistency has wavered. The coming challenges will determine whether he can rebuild trust and secure a strong partner for the final.
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You can watch The Challenge every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on MTV, with episodes streaming the next day on Paramount+.
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