Every Season of The Challenge, Ranked: #14— The Gauntlet 2

Location: Trinidad and Tobago

Host: TJ Lavin

Aired: 2005–06

Champions: The Rookies (Alton, Landon, MJ, Jamie, Randy, Kina, Jodi, Susie and Ibis)

Overall Thoughts: This season has always felt like a passing of the torch. It’s not only the start of the TJ Lavin era, but it’s also the last time we see people like Julie, Montana, David Burns, Jamie Murray and Adam Larson on the flagship, plus we only get one more season of Ruthie and Syrus on the main show years later.

Fittingly, Mark retired at the reunion and gave his bandana to Derrick, as the first Road Ruler passed the torch to the last (at the time) Road Ruler.

Gauntlet 2 is a light and breezy season. There’s not much heavy drama or politics, although there are some fun moments in both categories.

The king of the hill/captain twist is a bit unfair, but it’s fun to watch the captains have to fight their way to reach the final.

And in a rarity for a team season, the Rookies and Vets were actually fairly matched, with the Rookies winning nine out of the 15 dailies.