Last night was an intense finale for Battle of the Exes II! Picking up from last week, three couples remain: Sarah & Jordan, Jay & Jenna, and Leroy & Theresa. For the first checkpoint, "Kayak the Fjord," the helicopters take them a some yards out from their kayaks to swim to short. The great swimmers that they are, Jordan and Sarah take off and get to their kayak first, getting a great lead. Surprisingly, Jay and Jenna do well and However, Leroy and Theresa struggle swimming, particularly Leroy. When they get to their kayak, they also struggle to actually go anywhere down the fjord, and Theresa panics and goes off on him.


Getting to the end of the fjord first, Jordan and Sarah change into their team uniforms and run up the  path to "Mind Games." The goal is to unscramble a five word sentence using rocks with letters on them. Sarah is a natural puzzle solver, so, of course, they kill it quickly. Meanwhile the other teams make it to shore, with Jay & Jenna in second and Leroy & Theresa in third. Of course, Leroy and Theresa pass Jenna and Jay, because Jenna would rather walk. She's been very nonchalant this entire challenge, and, honestly, I don't want to see her on any more challenge. After Leroy and Theresa solve their puzzle, and forget to flip it over, Jay and Jenna don't even think to look at their answer! No wait, Jay asks Jenna if she thinks they can, but they both just stand there puzzled.

The next checkpoint is "Don't Flip Your Lid," which is basically a game of Flip Cup. After first drinking a cup of this fishy mystery drink, the goal is to flip a lid over a row of cups. You get three flips to get the lid on the cup, or you have to drink whatever the hell that is. Jordan and Sarah end up having to drink a lot,  but manage to get through. Theresa and Leroy struggle as well. Meanwhile, back at the puzzle, Jay and Jenna reach the time limit and get to go through. It's clear that this is not for them AT ALL.

When they finally reach the Flip Cup phase,  Jay and Jenna struggle terribly. They aren't the type to physically stand eating or drinking anything disgusting, and now they don't even know if they're even going to stay in the game. TJ eventually comes to them, stating that if they don't get it done, they're out. Jay even starts crying, frustrated at the situation, and T.J. calls them both out on how ridiculous they are. This is a part of the game, and they haven't been able to do anything. Jay and Jenna decide to leave, and get nothing after all that. So much for proving that they weren't an easy layup. I can't deal with them. Neither of them were mentally or physically prepared for this game in my opinion, and I really don't want to see them on any more challenges.

Before the next checkpoint, the teams are told to pick up five rocks and carry them to the next checkpoint. Jordan and Sarah reach "Get Your Rocks Off" first. The goal is to throw and land five rocks in a well. The catch is that everyone has to consume a tube of caviar before throwing! If they don't make their five, they have to go back down the hill to get more rocks and throw again.  throw get more. It's disgusting to watch everyone eat that caviar and throw up. While Leroy and Thereas catch up to them here, Sarah and Jordan are still in a decent lead. The two reach the time limit for this checkpoint, but are able to move on.

The next checkpoint is "Bike Ride," which isn't the easiest with the hills, but it's much better than running. Sarah and Jordan still have a good lead over Theresa and Leroy, getting to the rest stop before the climb to the top of Mt. Slogan. At the rest stop, there are two options for the teams, They either get to rest on a small bed on top of each other away from the fire, or have to stand up by the fire. As they try to warm themselves up, they reflect on how they've both been told that they couldn't do these challenges, and look where they are now! For both of them, this is about more about proving themselves. A while later, Theresa and Leroy catch up. Everyone comments on how they haven't seen Jay and Jenna. Theresa and Leroy also get into a heated discussion about the game and how he needs to learn to play or get played. Leroy believes that this game can be played fairly, but I think he's a little delusional on that. The conversations eventually stop as the teams struggle to stay warm and rest. They are on a mountain, so the later it gets, the colder it gets. It's so cold outside, they are shaking. I felt terrible for them. The producers could've at least given them better coats or something! But this is the Final so they have to suck it up.

The next morning, T.J. announces that Jay and Jenna didn't make it. Everyone already figured they wouldn't. Today, the teams will scale Mt. Slogan, which is literally a mile climbing straight up this rugged mountain. Since Jordan and Sarah won for the day before, they get a five minute lead. That's nothing honestly, but they have to use it to the best of their ability. The climb looks dangerous and scary, plus draining, and it definitely wears everyone down. It really is basically who wants it more.

The entire climb was literally neck and neck, but Jordan and Sarah make it to the top first, winning $250,000!!!!! Leroy and Theresa earn $70,000 to split, which isn't too shabby, though I know how bad Leroy wanted to win. I was very happy for Jordan and Sarah, though. Sarah especially. She has been going at this for so long, and has gotten the short end of the stick quite a few times with having bad partner luck. She made some big power moves, that seems to still have a bad effect on some friendships, but I'm proud that she learned to play for herself and put the nice side away for a second. Behind Nany and Bananas, this was definitely the team I wanted to win!

What did you think of the season finale of Battle of the Exes II?

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8:08:00 PM

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2 is almost over yall! Picking up from last week and Sarah's HUGE power move, Jordan tries to calm her down, but he honestly wishes that it would've went differently. Sarah, being the nice girl that she is, is so distraught. She did what she had to do though! Turns out that the teams are staying in a hotel for the night in Panama City. When they get settled a bit, Nia goes off on Sarah and Jordan, and even pulls Jordan's pants down and calls him the "f" word (I refuse to tolerate that here even with symbols). It's ridiculous. Johnny goes off on Sarah too, feeling betrayed, as does Nany, but it's all ridiculous. The goal is to WIN MONEY. If she doesn't look out for her and Jordan, who will?!



Later, the teams get a clue from T.J. saying: "I hope you like the suite. I left you something in the minibar. Check it out!" Turns out they all have plane tickets to NORWAY! After an 18-hour plane ride, they get to their cute suite in Norway, where they have dinner and wine. It's clear from the conversation about the Final that Jay and Jenna aren't ready for this...and that's why Sarah and Jordan kept them there. However, Jay is determined to prove that they are not the lame team everyone thinks they are.

The next day, the teams go out and enjoy Norway, and Jordan and Sarah are separated from everyone. That night, they all make fun of Sarah, Nia especially. Jordan sticks up for her, saying that Nia can't talk AT ALL when she quits/doesn't complete challenges all the time. I had to agree with him there. Nia keeps talking about how she and Leroy have won three Domes, but maybe just maybe they wouldn't have even been there if they made any real impact during the actual game. At the end of the day, she and Leroy have to go in, period. Again, Nia calls him the "f" word, and is just being really derogatory towards them both. And apparently "nothing she says is going to turn the gay community against her." Her words.

T.J. comes in later, and tells Nia to get her stuff and come with him. They don't know if it's part of the elimination or not, but after a sign came up about dealing with insults as a part of the LGBT community, I had a feeling that she was gone for good. Meanwhile, the rest of the house goes out where Johnny is acting a bitter, salty jerk, venting about Sarah. He also talks to Leroy about the elimination, and Nia being gone. Leroy finds it very awkward without her there. When she gets drunk with Jenna, Nany wakes up hungover the next morning, and Johnny tells her that they need to keep their head in the game.

T.J. texts everyone later in the day, and tells them that the elimination will happen the next morning. However, Leroy doesn't have his partner still! At the elimination, T.J. announces that Nia crossed the line with Jordan, and she's out of the game. Of course. I didn't feel bad for her at all. This is how she acts. This is how she is. When someone shows you who they are, BELIEVE THEM. Normally, Leroy would be going home too since he doesn't have a teammate, but T.J. reveals that he has another ex that can compete, and it's THERESA. Oh goodness. Yes, Theresa is a strong competitor, but I still don't like her at all, and I'm not happy to see her back. However, it was nice of the crew to still let Leroy compete, especially since he made it that far.

Leroy & Theresa and Bananas & Nany face off in "X-Battle." The goal is simple: get the X-shaped bar away from your opponent. First team to two points will win. In the guys' heat, Johnny quickly gets severe pain in his chest. Though he keeps going hard, Leroy wins the round. In the girls' heat, though. Nany comes out in a rage against Theresa, and is just yanking her around like a doll. Theresa ends up continually fighting dirty, kicking Nany in her face, but Nany keeps fighting. Theresa manages to win, though, sending Bananas and Nany home. At that point, even though they were my go to team from the beginning, I really didn't like how they acted over being sent in. I wasn't too upset at them leaving. I've been watching these Challenges since Battle of the Sexes in 2003, and I've seen Johnny win FIVE out of the 10 challenges he's been on. That's a lot of money. He can let someone else win. Maybe it shouldn't have went down like it did, but, again, Sarah and Jordan played their game. The way Johnny acted (and is still acting based on social media) is stupid and childish. Anyway, they're gone, and I'm rooting for Sarah and Jordan. Afterwards, T.J tells the rest of the competitors that the next time he sees them will be at the final.

Back at the hotel, they get a clue telling them that tomorrow morning will start the Final! The next day, T.J. tells them the legend of trolls in Norway, who made people do tasks to get by at certain checkpoints. The teams will be doing the same, all to make it up Mount Slogan, one of the most difficult mountain climbs in the world! The winners will receive $250,000 to split, while the second place team will receive $70,000, and the third place team gets $30,000. However, you must finish in order to get any money at all. At the end of the episode, the teams begin the first phase of the Final. They will be taking helicopters to get to the Geriagnerjford in the country. They will have to jump out of the helicopter, swim to a kayak, and paddle 10 miles. Jordan and Sarah pick the order for the teams to go since they were Power Couple last, picking themselves to go first, Jay & Jenna second, and Leroy & Theresa last. We then see the helicopters take off, and the race is on! I'm so excited to see this Final!

Be sure to check out the SEASON FINALE of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2 next Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on MTV! 

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7:57:00 PM

Last night's episode of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2 was TOO GOOD! Picking up from last week, Nany and Nia continue to go back and forth and it's absolutely ridiculous. I can't stand that Nia gets so emotional over this game. I understand being an athlete, and wanting the strongest competitors at the end, but get it over Nia! At the end of the day, Jordan and Sarah are playing THEIR game. Nia needs to get herself under control. Truth be told, Sarah is one of the few rational people in this house, and I'm proud of her for finally looking out for herself. She's finally being logical in this game, and making all the right moves!

Wes and Theresa feel like they can beat Nia and Leroy, though they don't like the fact that they will have to face them. Obviously, they still want to win, and come back to freak Johnny out! Meanwhile, Leroy tells Nia to use her frustration to kill it in the Dome.


At the Dome that night, the teams play "Hall Brawl," which is VERY physical! The objective is to basically run through your opponent in a tight hallway to get to the other side to ring a bell. It will be a relay race, with the guys going first and then the girls right after. The first team to win two rounds will win the Dome! Though Nia and Leroy are definitely stronger, if Wes and Theresa play smart, they might be able to win. That first round was terrible for them, though! After getting pummeled by Leroy, Wes' neck and head hurts and he is unstable. I felt bad, but then again, I don't.  In the second round, Wes' entire body is killing him, but he hopes to do a different strategy to try to win. However, he basically falls to the ground, which allows Leroy to get past him quickly. As the girls fight to get to that bell, Theresa tries to hold and drag Nia, but Nia still manages to get to the bell first, sending Wes and Theresa home! I was too happy! Yes, they know how to play the game, but this is karma for how they are as conniving, rude and fake people. I don't feel bad at all.

Back at the house, Nia and Leroy feel great about the win, but Nia is irritated that everyone wants the easy way out to win. Leroy tries to explain things to her about self-preservation, but it seems to go right over her head. At that moment, the house gets a clue to pack their bags and head to the last challenge in Panama City before the Final! Nia finally sucks it up and apologizes to Sarah, Nany, and even Jordan. Again, he explains to her again that this is a game, and he takes her apology for face value, always knowing to expect this from her.

That night, for the first time in Challenge history, the competitors have an actual nighttime challenge! T.J. announces that the teams will play "Don't Let Me Down." The objective is to use five different ropes to scale down a building. They have to transfer ropes all the way down and work together to make it. At the end of the fifth rope, there is a bell. Whichever team makes it the farthest, the fastest, will win Power Couple, which is crucial now. The Power Couple for the night will earn their spot in the Final, no question!  T.J. also announces that even if a player falls, the other team member can keep going. The teams actually don't get to watch each other's turns though, unfortunately.

I have to say that this is probably the toughest and scariest challenge they've had, at least to me. It's bad enough that you're scaling a building above a popular highway, but it's also pitch black outside! The majority of the teams falls at the third rope, while Nia herself falls on the second, but Leroy keeps going and is actually the only team member to make it to the end. Yet and still, Leroy and Nia end up losing because they didn't make it as far as a team, and will go to the Dome! Sarah and Jordan end up winning Power Couple at this very crucial moment in the game, and will be going to the Final! T.J. tells them, though, that they have to make a decision right there about who will face them. Bananas and Nany are confident that they aren't going in, because of their alliance, BUT Sarah makes the HUGE move to vote in Bananas and Nany!!!!! The episode ends with Bananas and everyone else in disbelief!

It annoyed me that Bananas saw this as some huge betrayal for a few reasons. One, I've been watching him for YEARS on these challenges, and I know he would've done the same thing if it had came down to it. Two, earlier on in the episode, he himself said that this is a game, and that every team should look out for themselves. He admitted that no one would want to face tougher teams if they had a choice. Well Bananas, Sarah had a choice, and she made the right one! It made no sense to throw Jay and Jenna in, because they're clearly the weakest team there and it will be the shock of the century if they actually win. Sarah made a great move, and I was very proud of her! She's always been the nice one, and still is, but now she's playing the game! Can't be mad at her for that. We shall see what happens in this last elimination next week!

Watch the new episode of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II on this coming Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! 

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8:06:00 PM

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2 made a crazy turn last night! Picking up from last week, as the remainder competitors party, Wes and Leroy talk about making it to the Finals. The goal is to now use Jenna and Jay as the scapegoat as planned. However, Jordan and Sarah refuse, knowing that Wes and Theresa are just scared to face elimination. Honestly, it doesn't make sense to do away with the easiest team now, when you can keep them for the final. Jordan and Sarah are playing for themselves, and Wes gets upset or whatever. When he and Jordan have a conversation about this all again the next day, Jordan makes the implication that Theresa is a bigger witch then he is an ass. To me, I never have liked Theresa. I think she's fake, and it shows when she hears from Wes that Jordan was talking about her. She starts crying and getting all emotional. To me, it's all stupid. Can we get the focus back to the game?!


Moments later, T.J. sends a clue that says: "Meet me in the Dome in 20 minutes." The house has NO IDEA what's been going on! T.J. announces to them that the Battle of the EXiled has been going on with all of the eliminated teams to bring a team back. He then brings out Jonna and Zach to face Nany and Bananas in an elimination! The teams will play "It Takes Two To Tangle." The teams have to tangle ropes as best as they can around a wooden structure for 20 minutes, and then switch to untangle the mess their opponents have created. Nany and Bananas surprisingly struggle in the beginning. Zach and Jonna actually communicate well and seem to be knocking it out, until they get tangled in their ropes some kind of way. Bananas and Nany manage to get it together and take the win, sending home Zach and Jonna! This definitely changes EVERYTHING! Wes and Theresa especially are definitely scared and they should be!

Back at the house, Sarah and Jordan know that Bananas and Nany has their back, which is good because they no longer had an alliance in this game. Leroy and Bananas have a conversation about Leroy joining up with Wes, which irritates Bananas. Bananas tells Leroy upfront that he doesn't need Wes, and that Leroy should end that alliance. Leroy doesn't mind it, because he was with Bananas from the beginning until he and Nany got eliminated. Wes tries to come over in the conversation, but Bananas doesn't want to hear anything from him. Everyone has flipped on Wes now, and, to me, it's karma for him and Theresa. Yes, I have to admit that Wes impresses me consistently with how he knows to play this game, but both he and Theresa are way too smug.

At the next day's Challenge, the teams play "Wrecking Ball." The goal is use a wrecking ball (punching bag) to knock people off a platform! There are also two dodgeballs that can be thrown at any time to get people off their balance. The first team to have both players in the water will go to the Dome, and the last team or team member standing wins! Nia can't even manage to stand up on the platform and jumps off before the challenge even starts! I know she has a fear of heights, but come on! During the challenge, everyone guns for Wes and Theresa, and Theresa quickly falls. Wes goes down shortly after, and the two of them are going to the Dome! Towards the end, Bananas slyly jumps off the platform after Nany falls, leaving Jordan and Jenna to duke it out. Bananas does this because he doesn't want to have to make the decision of who will face Wes and Theresa. Jordan knocks Jenna off, which allows Jordan and Sarah to win Power Couple at a very crucial point in the game! 

Back at the house, Jordan and Sarah already know that they'll be throwing in Leroy and Nia, which makes sense. Yes, Jay and Jenna rode an easy train all the way up until now, but they are not threats at all. Having them in the final would be a piece of cake. Sarah and Jordan also want Wes and Theresa gone, so they feel like Leroy and Nia would be the only ones left to take them out. They're not going to throw in Nany and Bananas since they are in a clear cut alliance with them, so it is what it is. Of course, Leroy and Nia get upset, with Nia especially making it personal. She tries to act like Jordan should have her back since they were on the same season of The Real World together, but Nia treated him like trash then, and Jordan knows how she can get. Why would he even want to save her?

At deliberation, Nia goes off even further, which is entirely too much. To me, I don't care how close friends you are outside of this house. In the game, it's every team for itself. You have to do what's best for you, or you're not getting that money! Nia always makes things so personal. She literally goes off on everybody, especially Nany and Bananas who managed to come back. She and Nany REALLY get into it, with Nia calling her all kinds of names, yelling and screaming, and of course, Nany claps back! The episode ends on a cliffhanger just like that. And it left me thinking, T.J. Lavin, how do you deal with this foolishness?! 

Watch new episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! 

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8:44:00 PM

Can’t believe we are so close to the end of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2! Picking up from last week, the game is down to FIVE couples: Leroy & Nia, Jay & Jenna, Wes & Theresa, Zach & Jonna, and Jordan & Sarah.  Back at the house after the Dome, Leroy and Nia are still upset at the fact that Jay and Jenna threw them in. Honestly, I expected both of these teams to be gone way before now, especially Jay and Jenna. However, I think people are just keeping them around because they pose no threat and could be easily beaten when it comes down to it.

The next day, Sarah opens up to a few of the girls about her struggles with Jordan. Theresa suggests writing a letter to him, which she does. It’s so important for them to be on the same page! Sarah and Jordan are a strong team, and could actually win this thing if they work together like they have for the majority of the challenge! After Jordan reads the letter, the pair apologizes to each other and hug it out.



At the next challenge, the teams walk up to see two big trucks on a road. T.J. announces they'll be playing "Speed Dating." The teams will be jumping from one tractor trailer to another while they are moving at 30 mph! At the signal, the girl partner will jump from one truck to the other, which holds a wall that has balls for them to collect inside. The girl will grab two balls at a time, and then the boy partner will jump and get two. They switch until they collect all the balls, or come to the end of the road.There’s a few more twists, though. In addition to the trucks moving, at certain points marked by smoke, the rigs will be separated and the teams will not be able to jump. Also, it’s imperative that the guys must stay on the outside of the girls, or their safety cables will get tangled. The team who collects the most balls will win Power Couple, and the team that collects the least will be headed straight to the Dome!

Once you get past that initial fear of jumping onto a moving truck, it actually looks like a huge adrenaline rush! Most of the teams do very well. Unfortunately, Jordan and Sarah get their ropes crossed, and aren’t able to collect many balls. Jay and Jenna’s ropes get twisted too, but they are able to get theirs untangled and snag a few more balls than Sarah and Jordan. Unfortunately, even though they finally got their team morale back, Sarah and Jordan get last place and have to go to the Dome. Though Zach and Jonna technically had the most balls, they were deducted a ball since Zach jumped early before Jonna made it back on her turn. That means there’s a three-way tie, so it came down to time. Leroy and Nia completed their turn the fastest, so they win Power Couple.

Back at the house, Zach and Jonna try to have a conversation about the challenge and their partnership. Zach admits he messed up today, surprisingly, and that maybe he hasn’t been the best partner. To Jonna, she's not a bad partner, and everything is not always her fault, though Zach always tries to make it that way. When Zach gets rude yet again, Jonna walks away from the conversation. Zach is fine as hell, but he’s a jerk, and he always will be. Jonna’s going to focus on winning, but doesn't want to see him after this. I don’t blame her one bit.

At the Power Couple dinner, Leroy and Nia plan to talk to everyone, and act like they're doing a deal with them all. Then they will surprise everyone with who's going in. Wes, who admits that Zach is his number one, is secretly plotting to get rid of Zach because Zach's strong. He plays Leroy and Nia by saying that if Zach and Jonna were no longer in the picture, the two of them could be connected with Wes and Theresa.

Because Leroy and Nia really have no alliance, they admit to Zach that they’ll be throwing him and Jonna in. Zach, of course, is pissed, but plans on coming back for revenge. At deliberation, Leroy and Nia stick to their word, and send in Jonna and Zach. The next day, the two of them get upset at Jay and Jenna, who they claim should say thank you to them. They claim to be showing these rookies respect, but they need to stop lying. Everyone knows that Jay and Jenna are really scapegoats that they will use in the Dome to win if need be in these next few days before the Final. There’s no respect in that.

At the Dome, T.J. announces that the teams will playing “Hammer It Home.” There are two giant i-beams, and the goal is for each team to hammer the i-beam into the end zone. Zach and Jordan will hit the beams to the halfway mark, and Sarah and Jonna will finish it up. Though Zach has power in his swings, he lacks efficiency, and Jordan, even with one hand, ends up passing him. People always talk about him only having one hand, but he still comes through in a major way! Though Jonna gives it her all to make up for Zach’s slack, Sarah beats her, sending Zach and Jonna home. I'm so happy, because I really do love Sarah and Jordan as a team! Sucks for Jonna, but Zach was irritating me anyway, so I don’t mind them leaving.

Next week, I think the winning team of the Battle of the EX-iled is coming back! I’m about 85% sure it’s going to be Nany and Bananas, and I can’t WAIT to see the look on everybody else’s faces!!!! An amazing twist!

Watch new episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! 

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9:32:00 AM

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2 is winding down, and it's getting even crazier! Picking up from last week's cliffhanger in the Dome, it's neck and neck between Johnny and Adam as they stack their crates to reach that bell! Adam tries to jump to try to ring the bell, and fails, but Johnny is able to make it and rings the bell. Though Adam and Brittany are headed home, they definitely killed it for rookies!

That night, Sarah vents about Jordan's mood since that last challenge. Jordan is also upset that Sarah seems to be stressing him so much. It's crazy, because their partnership was so solid up until that last challenge! Now that we're getting down to the money, everyone is going to struggle to keep it together.




The next day, T.J. announces the teams will be playing "Are You The One?" It's T.J.'s (and my own) personal favorite--trivia! The objective is easy. The teams have to do is answer a series of questions from geography, pop culture, sports, and spelling. Everyone will be wrapped up in a tarp above water, with each team getttng two strikes. The first team to get dropped in the water is headed to the Dome. The last team standing is the Power Couple!

Quickly Johnny misses a question, and then Averey spells "endorphins" wrong, which gets them dropped in the water first. Johnny and Averey are headed to the Dome for the second time in a row! Towards the end, Jordan and Sarah are one of the last couples standing, along with, surprisingly, Jay and Jenna! While up there, Jay tries to make a deal with Jordan, but he refuses since Johnny is in the Dome. Jordan also talks trash, implying that Jay and Jenna won't win anyway. Ridiculously, Jay and Jenna win Power Couple after Jordan incorrectly answers the location of Stonehenge and Sarah misspells "diaphragm." Jordan is pissed because, honestly, Jay and Jenna got really easy questions. Sarah is more positive about it, and plans to try to work the game in their favor.

Back at the house, Sarah tries to talk to Jordan, and he's all in his feelings. Sarah tells him that a lot of apologizing has to be done on his part, and Jordan knows that he needs to. He also knows he needs to say that he wanted to wait on Reilly for his decision of who he wanted to go against, though it's clear that Jay and Jenna would be the obvious choice. However, when Sarah tries to talk about how he's been acting, Jordan gets mad and walks off.

That night, Sarah and Jordan try to get out of the Dome, and Jay and Jenna don't actually want to throw them in. They all make a deal not to vote for each other. Jay then calls over Leroy, and tells him upfront that he's putting them in. Nia comes down, and says that 100% Jordan, Johnny, and Zach (the very people that Jay is scared to upset) will vote them into the Dome in a heartbeat if and when the time comes. Leroy tells them both to sleep on this decision and really think about what they're doing.

At deliberation, Jay and Jenna and decide to still send in Leroy and Nia. The best decision for them in a final is to have Sarah and Jordan have to on their side. I have to kind of agree. Leroy and Nia are a decent team, but they hold no power. They haven't come close to winning any of the challenges, though they have a strong chance of winning against people in the Dome.

At the Dome, T.J. announces they will be playing "Hooking Up." The goal is to hook your opponent either on the hips or back using a rope and carabiner. Once a person is hooked, they will be launched up in the air for all to see. The best two out of three rounds win! It's definitely going to be a physical challenge, and Leroy and Nia both have a little more meat on Johnny and Averey, so this is going to be rough. Leroy manages to hook Johnny when he takes his eye off Leroy for a second. Averey and Nia's round is excruciating to watch (the actual Dome took two hours). They are both tired, but Nia manages to hook Averey sending Johnny and Averey home. Now Leroy and Nia are coming back with a little bit of a vengeance against Jay and Jenna. Leroy himself is really determined to get to the Final!

Watch new episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! 

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8:40:00 PM

Can't believe The Challenge: Battle of the Exes is already at the halfway point! Picking up from last week, the house goes out to party per usual. Everyone in the house still can't believe that Nia and Leroy took out Bananas and Nany! Meanwhile, Adam wants to hook up with Averey,  and flirts with her, but Averey has a boyfriend and denies his advances. However, she does get upset that Johnny starts talking to Adam later, the one guy who wants to spend time with her. This girl is borderline mental. Nobody cares Averey. You have a boyfriend. Johnny has a girlfriend. He ain't thinking about you girl!

The next day, Jordan and Sarah talk about how it doesn't matter now who they go against at this point. They work together so well, while a lot of the other teams struggle to come together and get through challenges as a team. I definitely agree. Jordan and Sarah are probably the less combative in the house with each other, and gel very nicely. Probably because they were never really together. They just had a little hookup and kept it moving. A lot of these other couples have history, and deep issues with each other that keeps them for working together.


That day, at the challenge, TJ announces they'll be playing "Don't Forget About Me." The goal is for the girls to look at and memorize a puzzle, and then try to solve it. However, it isn't as easy as it sounds. Each puzzle for the teams is underneath a 300 pound steel door, which the guys have to hold open while the girls try to memorize! When the guys' arms give out on holding the door open, they can't reopen it! Then, the teams have to make their way up this mountain with their puzzle pieces in order for the girls to start working on the puzzle. If teams need to figure out more of the puzzle, they have to come down the mountain and start the process all over again.

It's clear from the get go that is definitely going to take quite a few trips to finish this challenge, which is taxing on everyone. It's hard for the guys to hold the doors, and that walk up the hill is terrible under the beating sun! This is a very hard challenge, and even Jordan and Sarah start to fall apart. At a point in the challenge, Leroy drops his bag of puzzle pieces next to Jay's and picks up the wrong one, which throws EVERYTHING off because Leroy and Nia end up having a piece that Jordan and Sarah are missing to complete their puzzle towards the end. They have to wait for Jay and Jenna to make their way up the mountain towards the end just for that one piece. In the end, though, Wes and Theresa end up winning Power Couple again, which I can't stand. Leroy and Nia take 2nd place, and Jordan and Sarah take 3rd. This challenge gets so bad, that the majority of the teams have to go into sudden death because the sun starts to set. T.J. announces that whoever has the least amount of correct pieces done in a final run will go to the Dome. I honestly thought that, with their bickering and Zach's typical douchebag behavior, that he and Jonna would lose. However, Adam and Brittany end up being the last place team, and will be going to the Dome for the fourth time!

Back the house, Wes and Theresa already know they want to throw in Johnny and Averey, but he thinks they will beat Adam and Brittany. They talk to Averey, and admit to her that she and Johnny will be going in because of Johnny's alliance with Bananas before, and the fact that that he has true friends here, and is a strong competitor. Averey gets emotional about it, and ends up blaming Johnny for it all. At deliberation, Wes and Theresa stick to their word and vote in Johnny and Averey.

That night at the Dome, Adam & Brittany and Johnny & Averey compete in "Stacking Up." There are two piles of crates and two bells hanging 20 feet high. The guys have to stack and climb up these crates to ring the bell, while the girls help to balance them and get the crates up to them. The first team to ring the bell will get to stay in the game. Johnny goes at this slow and steady, using logic to get to the top. Adam and Brittany, however, move quickly and sloppily. Eventually, their tower comes tumbling down. However, at the end of the episode, they manage to rebuild  and catch up to Johnny and Averey! The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with the game being extremely too close to call! I honestly don't really care which team leaves, though. Adam and Brittany are rookies from a show that I didn't even watch, and I just really can't stand Averey. The only reason I'm semi-rooting for her and Johnny is because Johnny seems like a good guy who actually deserves a shot in the final. He just has an overemotional partner who's stuck in the past. We'll see who goes home next week!

Watch new episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! 

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8:32:00 PM

There was definitely a power move made in this week's episode of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2! Picking up from last week, the house goes out to party per usual. Johnny talks to Zach about the resentment that Wes has towards him, and it's all definitely going to come to a head soon! He wants Zach to be on his side to take Wes down, though Zach, unbeknownst to Johnny, has his doubts about it. Zach wants to "run his own game," but we all know he isn't the brightest crayon in the box.

The house gets a clue from T.J. about the next challenge: "At tomorrow's challenge, don't let your ex be the one that gets away." At the challenge, T.J. announces they will be playing "Open Arms." There is a giant structure and a zipline with a sled on one side and a heavy bag on the other. The girl will hold on to the bag down the zipline, while the guy rides the sled. The guy can try to jump on the heavy bag with the girl, and get as far down the zipline as they can together, which will get an additional 10 seconds knocked off their time! They will then swim around a buoy to the shore, and ring a bell to end their time. The team with the fastest time will win Power Couple, and the team with the slowest time will go straight to the Dome.



Because Zach and Jonna won the last challenge, they get to decide the order for this one. Johnny tells him upfront that Zach should put Wes and Theresa first, but Zach instead puts them fourth, which gives them time to watch other people. Wes then decides, based on seeing other people miss the jump, to ride the sled as far down as he can. That decision gives them a great time, and Wes and Theresa end up winning Power Couple again. This is bad becaue they plan to make a big move to shake up the competition, and no one is safe, especially Bananas and Nany! Leroy does a terrible jump and swim, so it was safe to say that Leroy and Nia would be the last place team. The top two teams are separated by less than two seconds! Wes and Theresa and Jordan and Sarah. Wes and Theresa wins, and plan to make a big move to shake up the competition.

Bananas gets back to the house, and is so mad at Zach for letting Wes and Theresa go fourth. Zach thinks that Wes wouldn't have jumped regardless, but I don't think that at all. Those who went first tried it to see if it could be done, and I think Wes would've attempted. I don't blame Bananas for being mad, especially since Zach is supposed to be working alongside him.

That night, Wes and Theresa have a dinner to talk about who they're throwing in, and it's clear that they're going for Bananas and Nany. They ask for Zach, and Zach opens up about the fight he had with Bananas, like the dummy he is. He also tells them that Bananas suggested that Zach put them first in the challenge. Wes then decides to try to bring Zach over to his side, which looks like might just work.

At deliberation, Wes and Theresa smugly vote in Bananas and Nany, and Bananas realizes that Zach told Wes about his request. Zach is such a liar when Bananas confronts him, trying to act like other people told Wes. I can respect someone who says outright "I'm looking out for myself at the end of the day," but Zach is trying to play all sides, which, as Bananas pointed out, is stupid. As Bananas pointed out, "when you have an alliance with everyone, you have an alliance with no one."

The next night, at elimination, the teams play "Strung Out." It will be a relay race. Each player will be strung out over a pole with straps connected to them, much like a hog over a fire. The object of the game is to get both players across. The girls will go first, and then the guys. Nany and Nia start out neck and neck, but then Nany's strap gets stuck and sets her back in a major way. Nia is able to end her heat, and Leroy comes out STRONG. The two of them shockingly send Bananas and Nany home (well really to the exile house, but the cast doesn't know that yet!). I hated this elimination so much, because I love Bananas and pretty much root for him every season that he's in it. He's a strong player, and knows how to play the game, but he's not an ass about it like Wes and Theresa are. I can't stand knowing that they're still there, so I'm hoping that Bananas and Nany are able to get back to the house and shock them all!

Watch new episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! 

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8:09:00 PM

On last night's episode of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2, the exes yet again got a little too close for comfort! Picking up from last week, Adam and Brittany are making out at the club and dancing all up on each other, like they're still together! Meanwhile, Jonna and Jay are still trying to make Zach and Jenna jealous, as if they really care. When Zach and Jenna kiss, Jonna and Jay kiss back, as if to get even or something. It's so childish, if you ask me. We also find out that Nany is secretly pining for Johnny Bananas, even though he has a girlfriend! It's way too many emotions going on right now!

The next morning, Adam admits he knows he "opened the floodgates" with Brittany, who he has said before is really clingy. They're cool, but they just can't be that cool. The girls tell Brittany what Adam said, and she gets upset and starts yelling at him. They both need to get their relationship in check before they lose this game!


At the next challenge, T.J. announces the teams will playing "The Brush Off." The goal is to transfer as much paint as you can to a canvas bag. The guys will be standing on a platform, while the girls will jump in a pool of hot pink paint! Once they feel like they have enough paint on you, they will climb up a net to their partner and transfer the paint using their bodies "by any means necessary." The guys will then jump onto the canvas bag trying to cover squares on the bag. The team who covers the most squares in 3 minutes will be the Power Couple! The one to cover the least will be going straight to the Dome.

This game is BEYOND awkward with the exes, but so funny to watch! There's a lot of grabbing, hugging, and touching! In the end, it comes down to Jonna & Zach and Jordan & Sarah for the win. The winning team, that filled in all 12 squares, surprisingly was Zach and Jonna! I was happy for them, because they really need to boost their team morale. The losing team, however, was Knight and Jemmye, who are heading automatically in the Dome.

Back at the house, Zach wants to ask Knight and Jemmye who they might prefer to compete against. Knight stupidly wants to go for Bananas, but Jonna and Zach admit they will choose between one of the two rookie teams. They eventually call over Jenna and Jay, who Zach decides they will probably keep (obviously because of his blossoming relationship with Jenna!). A little later, Jonna brings up the fact that she wants her and Zach to be on the same page. Zach distanced himself because he thought that she still wanted him (which she kind of does, I believe). However, they work things out, and will move forward as friends.

That night, Adam jokingly does a strip show for all the girls after revealing that he filled in as a stripper at a party once. He goes to talk to Jonna, and she's honest that rookies get thrown in regardless of how many times they've been in elimination (she was a prime example). Adam tries to make her feel sorry for him and Brittany, and even brings up the fact that Jenna is hooking up with Zach, basically saying that it might be a good idea to vote in Jay and Jenna to end the relationship they're starting.

Jonna actually considers it, and talks to Zach about it the next day. He gets upset because clearly she's thinking with her emotions, but honestly so is he. If this was any other rookie team, and Zach wasn't hooking up with one of them, they've would've went in. However, they decide to send in Adam and Brittany at deliberation (this will be their THIRD time in a row). When asked why by T.J., Jonna has no idea really, and Zach talks about some statistics. Everyone knows that the real reason is because he wants to keep Jenna around. I need Jonna to really step up and voice her opinion in this partnership, because Zach is walking all over her. He even talks crap about her afterwards, and she overhears it. She manages to hold in her emotions in front of everyone, but cries in the confessional.

That night at the Dome, Adam & Brittany and Knight & Jemmye play "Breaking Up." There's two towers with two levels, with cinder blocks on both levels  .There's also a wrecking ball connected to a rope. The goal is to break the wrecking ball through the cinder blocks on both levels. The first team to do this will win This is definitely taxing on the body and the arms! Adam decides to take a break, once they get through the first level since Knight & Jemmye didn't. What?! Though they should've used that to their advantage, Jemmye & Knight fail to press through for the win and get sent home! I must say, I'm impressed by Adam & Brittany. To be thrown in three tines, and to come back every time, is no easy feat!

That night, Nany gets emotional talking to Johnny Bananas (she was a mess this entire episode honestly). She's not okay being in the house with him, but can't open up to him. I'm over this girl. I need her to get her emotions in check, and remember what she's there for!

Watch new episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! 

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1:38:00 PM

Loving Battle of the Exes II! Picking up from last week, the house goes out to party. CT comes back home to check up on Diem. One of the producers tells CT that Diem was feeling pretty sick, and she's been taken to the hospital. He automatically goes into panic mode, and wants to meet her there, even though he's been drinking. The producers instead let Diem and CT talk on the phone, and she sounds a lot better. Diem comes back to the house, and lays in bed with CT.

The next morning, Diem is sick again, with the house is really worried about her. Production takes her back to the hospital. CT makes her a care package, and everyone signs the box with well wishes. Later, however, TJ announces that Diem's medical issues will keep her from continuing the game, and CT has to go home as well. At this point, CT doesn't even care. He just wants to be with Diem. Diem's words in her last confessional acknowledges the fact that that she is so grateful that CT is always in her corner. She refused to quit, and wanted to live life to the fullest. I found myself tearing up, knowing how it all ends. RIP Diem.


The next day, TJ presents the third challenge of the game, "On Again/Off Again." There's giant 30 foot high zipline over water that will spin the competitors out of control. After they fall into the water, they will swim around a buoy to make it to land and ring the bell. Obviously, the closer you drop to the buoy, the easier it will be. The team with the slowest time goes straight to the Dome, while the team with the fastest time will become the Power Couple. Nany and Bananas, as the last Power Couple, got to pick the order. It's a serious struggle, especially for the girls, to hold on for long, with a lot of them having to swim a pretty long ways. However, in the end, the losing team is Simone and John who will automatically go to the Dome. The winning team taking Power Couple is Jordan and Sarah, which I am happy about because I actually think they make a pretty great team.

Saran and Jordan speak to the top two teams, Nany and Bananas as well as Wes and Theresa. Sarah decides they should play both sides against each other to eventually see both teams go head to head. Right now, they'll play it cool, but the end game is to get rid of at least one of them. Jordan, of course, would love to see Bananas in the Final since they're rivals, but it's not about ego. It's about the money! At deliberation, Sarah and Jordan pick Brittany and Adam to face John and Simone. It's just easy to get rid of the rookies, since they have yet to prove themselves and no one knows or cares about them that much to keep them around, honestly.

At the Dome, TJ announces that no couple will replace CT and Diem, but there will still be an elimination. The game of the night is "He Said, She Said," which is an eating competition where you will bet on how much your partner can eat in 3 minutes. The opposing team member will then up the bet by how much he or she believes their partner can eat. Once someone calls it, the partner has to eat that much food in three minutes. If you finish, you get a point. If you don't, your opponent gets the point. Adam eats 7 brownies, which Brittany bet for him, winning a point for them, but Brittany couldn't finish the 13 Yucca (similar to potato) sticks that Adam bet, giving Simone and John a point. The last item is patacones (fried platain slices), which Simone bets that John can eat. However, he takes his nice sweet time with it, and loses, sending John and Simone home. There was no heart. There was no urgency. Therefore, I wasn't upset to see them go.

Later, Adam and Brittany celebrate their win at the bar, and end up making out! I can only imagine where their relationship is going to go from here!

Watch new episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! 

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5:20:00 PM

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes is heating up! Picking up from last week's surprising premiere, the house goes out partying Panama style! However, exes are watching each other flirting with other people, and it's rather awkward and annoying. Averey especially gets upset over Johnny's previous hookup with Nany, but I need her to build a bridge and get over it. Zach and Jenna seem to have a thing starting as well, which hurts Jonna.

The next day, T.J. introduces the second challenge, "Rounding The Bases." There's a baseball field, and the goal is to score a home run with your ex (T.J.'s words, not mine *laughs*)! At each base, there is a different task for the competitors. The last three teams at each base will be eliminated from the challenge, while the last place team at the first base will go straight to the Dome.


The first base challenges the teams to be able to suck and blow (eek). There are 12 bamboo lanes, and the teams have to take a card, hold it between their lips, and keep suction between them to keep the card up. You have to get around poles as well, with the card still on someone's lips, and get to the finish line. If you drop the card, you have to start over. It's a rough challenge, with a few accidental kisses, but pretty funny to watch. The very last team to finish was Johnny and Averey, and they will be going right to the Dome.

The next task involves balls and bats. The girls will be on one side of a baseball contraption, and the guys on the other. The girls have to unscrew a bat,  and the guys have to unscrew two baseballs. Another three teams got dropped, including Sarah and Jordan, who were at a slight disadvantage since Jordan only has one full functioning hand. At the third base, each station  has its own lock and combination, and the teams have to use their  to lap up peanut butter to reveal the combination. I like peanut butter and all, but that's crazy and incredibly unhygienic! This task drops another three teams, leaving vets Nany and Bananas, Wes and Theresa, and CT and Diem. Each of them get a 30 foot limpy pole, with one being able to fit snugly into the other. Standing 60 feet away from each other, it's the goal to ram the poles together, popping a cork in one of the poles. The first to finish will win the game. It was close, but Nany and Bananas came out on top, winning Power Couple, and getting to send another team into the Dome.

Back at the house, Nany and Bananas deliberate who they'll pick over dinner. Nany wants to throw in Wes and Theresa, but Bananas feel like it's too big of a risk right now, especially since more than likely Wes and Theresa would come back.. Nany, most times from what I've seen in the past, lets her personal feelings dictate how she acts in the game, You can't let your personal feelings get in the way. Bananas thinks that Nany should talk things through with Theresa. They try to speak to both Wes and Theresa, but Nany gets nowhere with Theresa, who has been talking about Nany behind her back...a lot. Theresa fakes to be concerned about Nany's "promiscuous" ways, but she needs to just mind her own business. Nany is a grown woman and can do what she wants. As shady as Theresa is, I'm surprised people even listen to her

Nany and Bananas do make a decision of who will face Averey and Johnny in the Dome, sending in Tom and Hailey since they're rookies. It's too early to throw in vets, especially seasoned vets like Wes and Theresa, who would probably win. (Side note: The loser of tonight's dome will face Dustin and Jessica in the Battle of the Exiled!)

At the Dome, Averey and Johnny face Tom and Hailey in "Banded Together" Each team starts on one side, tied by a rubber band around a post. You will race together to have both players on the team get to a bar at the other end and hold it for five seconds. It's hard on the body, but it's about digging deep and pushing forward. Inch by inch, Johnny and Averey make it happen, sending Tom and Hailey home (well, really to Exile). It definitely gives Johnny and Averey some much needed momentum. I also found out that Tom and Hailey faced Dustin and Jessica in Battle of the Exiled, and Dustin and Jessica won! No telling what will happen next week, or if/when Dustin and Jessica will be back.

Back at the house, Diem hasn't been feeling well, which makes me so sad, knowing that she's gone now. CT was right by her side in the house, telling her to rest up. He even wants to stay home with her, but she tells him to go out and have fun, which CT knows is really her telling him to give her space. Meanwhile, Nany comes up to Averey to apologize about Johnny. Neither of them know each other, but Averey is not trying to be cool with her because of it, Meanwhile, to "get back at Zach" it seems, Jonna kisses Jay. Bye girl. Zach doesn't care.

Watch new episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! 

Image via MTV

8:38:00 AM

I LOVE The Challenge! I've been recapping the show for the past couple of seasons, and have loved every minute of it! It's very sad this time around, though, because we have lost two seasoned vets in the game that are featured in this season--Diem and Knight, who literally passed away within weeks of each other. However, I'm going to enjoy the drama, laughs, and random moments with everyone this season!

For season 26 of The Challenge, we've got Battle of the Exes II! This time the show, hosted by TJ Lavin, takes place in Pedasi, Panama, and partners up exes from the past. MTV also brings in a bunch of rookies from The Real World and Are You The One? The couples for this season are: Jonna and Zach, Sarah and Jordan, Nany and Johnny Bananas, Theresa and Wes, Averey and Johnny, Nia and Leroy, Brittany and Adam, Jessica and Dustin, Jenna and Jay, Jemmye and Knight, Hailey and Thomas, Simone and John, and Diem and CT.


TJ announces the rules to the pairs. Obviously, they will compete in a series of challenges over their time their. The losing team of each challenge will automatically go into The Dome and face elimination The winning team will be deemed the Power Couple, and will be safe from elimination, AND get to choose another team to go into elimination. Of course, there's big money in the end to those who make it through. First place is $250,000 to be split between the winning team! Second place is $70,000, and third place is a respectable $30,000.

Some of the competitors are obviously a bit shook up that they'll be competing with their exes. Some of them really can't stand each other, but they have to put that to the side to be able to win this money! Of course, the first night is always fun with a lot of drinks, talking, and dancing. It's clear though, there are underlying issues in the house between not only exes, but people who have competed together in the past. That night, the house gets a clue from TJ: "Hey everyone, let's see who's ready to take their relationship to new heights!" A great height challenge to kick off the competition!

The next day, the competitors head to Panama City for their first challenge, "I Got You Babe." The teams have to navigate across a tightrope suspended 500 feet in the air, crossing between two buildings! The girls will walk across while the guys lay in a Superman pose supporting the girls with a rope as the girls move and pull the guys along. It takes a lot of communication and upper body strength, and a lot of teams slip and fall, disqualifying themselves. The last place couple ultimately is  Adam and Brittany. The Power Couple is Wes and Theresa, who get to make the decision on who will face Adam and Brittany in the Dome.

Everyone is a little on edge because both Wes and Theresa are VERY shady. The two of them deliberate at a Power Couple. Wes wants to throw in Bananas out of spite, and, surprisingly doesn't want to throw in any Rookies. He thinks he can rally the rookies together on his side since there's actually a lot of them, and wants to put in a Vet to shake things up. That goes against the natural order! But that's Wes for you. Wes actually talks to Bananas about his plans, which is kind of smart in the long run, but Bananas believes it's way too early for this, and it would start a war if Wes' plan backfires. Plus, if Bananas goes in, he's winning that. Period.

Wes and Theresa end up choosing Dustin and Jessica, claiming that the two of them are in between being a really seasoned Vet and complete Rookie. Whatever. In The Dome, the two teams play
 "Pole Position. Each team has to work their way together up a 25 foot structure. They are connected to poles by their hands and feet and have to move together place the poles in slots to get up the wall. Everyone was pretty much neck and neck, but surprisingly, Adam and Brittany take it after Dustin and Jessica take a tumble!

That night, the house goes out and enjoys themselves! While they party, there is a MAJOR twist going on! Jessica and Dustin are put into a room, where they watch a video of TJ. He reveals to them that they are just in exile and will compete in a later challenge to have the opportunity to come back! This definitely changes the game!

I'm excited to see how this season will go!

What did you think of the season premiere of Battle of the Exes II? 

Image via Entertainment Weekly/MTV

9:03:00 AM