‘The Challenge’: Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio Slams Reports of Rigging and Sinking Ratings
[SPOILER ALERT: This article contains information about who wins the show.]
When Cara Maria Sorbello and Paulie Calafiore did not return for The Challenge 35, they accused production of preventing them from competing and Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio for blocking them. Now, many rumors of production rigging the show for the veteran to win are circulating the internet. The six-time champ slammed the reports in a few tweets after Episode 15 aired.
Fans think production rigged ‘The Challenge 35’ for Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio
After getting sent home embarrassingly early in The Challenge 34: War of the Worlds 2, Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio returned for his 20th season. He’s had a great performance so far as he teamed up with longtime rival Wes Bergmann for the first time and won a daily challenge.
He also convinced the house to throw him into elimination, where he competed against his newfound ally. The six-time champ eventually came out on top and played more aggressively as he won two challenges and orchestrated blindsides.
The 38-year-old has made it to the finals and reportedly will win the season. A few former players have come out and accused production of cheating to help the veteran win his 20th season as well as others.
Cara Maria Sorbello and Paulie Calafiore claimed they specifically weren’t chosen for the season because they wouldn’t let Devenanzio get his way. Additionally, an insider reported that only Jenny West won, but production changed to two winners for Devenanzio.
Due to these reports, many fans also believe the season is rigged and frequently talk about it online.
Cara Maria Sorbello and Paulie Calafiore claim the ratings are sinking
After Episode 14 aired, Sorbello took to the comments of an Instagram post to discuss her opinions on the ratings. She claimed that Season 33 premiered with the same number of viewers as Season 35, but they ended higher.
Additionally, the veteran noted she didn’t think ratings should have dropped because the country is still in a pandemic without any other new shows or sports to watch. Calafiore screenshotted her comments and uploaded it to his Instagram story and agreed, writing, “Ratings have dipped since Week 4. With this format. Ratings should have never dropped.”
He also posted it to this Twitter and called the current cast a “flop” and claimed everyone except the rookies “suck.”
Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio slams reports of rigging and sinking ratings
After Episode 15, Deadline.com reported that ViacomCBS had renewed the reality competition series for a record 36th season. According to the report, this season is on track to become the show’s highest-rated season since Battle of the Exes (2012).
The six-time champ retweeted the article reporting the renewal, adding, “Numbers don’t lie… But your bitter faves do!” Last season champ Rogan O’Connor retweeted him.
During Episode 15, Devenanzio tweeted, “Production totally rigged that win for me,” with a winky face as he’s clearly seen the rumors circulating Twitter.
Many fans replied to him and noted that Melissa Reeves and Kyle Christie, two people he was working with in the last episode, purposefully jumped off their barrels in the daily challenge to help him win.
The Challenge 35 finale airs July 16, 2020, at 8 p.m. EST on MTV.
