Dream Cast
‘The Challenge’s Mark Long Teases Exes ‘All Stars’ Season: 9 Pairs We Think Should Be Cast
With Season 5 of The Challenge: All Stars featuring a “rivals” theme, there’s buzz in the fandom about what route the spinoff will take next. Mark Long, who helped spearhead the series, has an idea.
“If we did an All Stars #EXES edition … who would be some teams you’d like to see???” he wrote on X, prompting fans to weigh in about which pairs of Challenge exes they’d like to compete together. “Rivals” and “exes” are both themes that have been done multiple times on the flagship show, so many “all star” players have already had to work with their exes in the past.
If we did an All Stars #EXES edition … who would be some teams you’d like to see???
I’ll go first: Dunbar and Paula 👀 #TheChallengeAllStars5
— Mark Long (@TheMarkLong) February 22, 2025
Years later, there are new exes, as well as old school former flames, who would make great pairings on an “exes” season. Scroll down for our wish list of teams that would fit the theme.
The Challenge: All Stars, Season 5, Wednesdays, 8/9c, MTV
Rachel Robinson & Darrell Taylor
This would be the ultimate era 1 pairing! Yes, Rachel Robinson and Darrell Taylor did hook up on their Road Rules season. Although this was a long time ago and these two likely don’t have any bad blood, I’d love to see them represent the OGs!
Johnny Bananas & Morgan Willett
Okay, Morgan Willett doesn’t exactly fall under the “all stars” spectrum, but this pair would be too good not to cast. The breakup became super messy after they shaded each other on social media, and Willett doesn’t have much Challenge experience, which could be frustrating for a longtime vet like Johnny Bananas. Needless to say, this would probably be a trainwreck in the best way possible.
Mark Long & Robin Hibbard
Now that Robin Hibbard seems to have turned her life around, I’d love to see her back on The Challenge! Working with Mark Long would probably be a safe space, as it’s been years since they dated, and they worked well together on the flagship show’s Battle of the Exes in 2012 (which was also Hibbard’s last time on the show).
Nany González & Cohutta Grindstaff
Nany González is still looking for that elusive win on The Challenge (although we’ll have to see what her fate is on All Stars 5). While she’s had stronger partners than Cohutta Grindstaff in the past — she’s gotten to work with Johnny Bananas twice — this would still be a decent pairing. Plus, he’s appeared on the show so minimally in recent years, so it would be a good way to have him return!
Tori Deal & Jordan Wiseley
Well, this one might almost be a little unfair, but it certainly would be epic to see these two working as a pair. Jordan Wiseley and Tori Deal are two of the strongest competitors in Challengehistory, and they have a very amicable relationship. Although things were a bit strained after they first called off their engagement, they’re friends today and would truly be a power team.
Brad Fiorenza & Tori Hall
Brad Fiorenza and Tori Hall went through a pretty messy divorce but have had to continue co-parenting their sons after the split. While he has been part of the Challengeuniverse in recent years, she’s distanced herself from the franchise. In fact, she hasn’t appeared on the show since Cutthroat– a season she won with her then-husband – in 2010. An exes season with her ex-husband would certainly be one way to jump back in!
Ashley Kelsey & Zach Nichols
Ashley Kelsey is already working with an ex (Dario Medrano) on Season 5 of All Stars but pairing her with her Real World boyfriend Zach Nichols would be a whole different ball game. He’s proven that he’s not super easy to work with, especially in an exes setting (just ask Jonna Mannion), and is one of the more controversial cast members compared to sweet Ashley. It’s been years since these two even appeared on a season together, so the dynamic would definitely be interesting.
Wes Bergmann & Johanna Botta
Wes Bergmann may or may not have retired from The Challenge (we’ll believe it when we see it), and Johanna Botta hasn’t been on the show since 2009. These two were engaged and living together before their 2008 split, but they probably haven’t seen each other in years, so seeing them have to work as a team would be television gold.
Cara Maria Sorbello & Abram Boise
There may be legal or ethical reasons that this one isn’t possible because it seems like a lot of toxic s**t went down between Cara Maria Sorbello and Abram Boise. However, there’s no doubt that they’re both great competitors and have a lengthy history that viewers wouldn’t mind getting some insight into.
