Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The usual "Challenge" routine is as reliable as the changing tides: A bunch of vets touch down somewhere thousands of miles away, band together and decide that ousting the new kids is the easiest way to make it past the game's first few stages. And, usually, it works. But as Marlon and Jordan are starting to prove on "Rivals II," being a rookie doesn't mean you have to lay down and accept the rules. Nothing is written in stone, and there are many, many who have come before them and proved that being green doesn't guarantee elimination.
So, Challengers can blame their sudden departures on the rules, or say it's the fault of the weather, but if they find themselves on the early flight home, they can't say it's every rookie's rite of passage. Take a look at some of the most memorable rookies who bit their lips, sucked it up and got the job done below.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Sarah: The original Rookie gangsta, Sarah didn't allow the fact that her team sent her into FIVE Gauntlets -- including two against guys -- to stop her en route to underdog glory. Team Blue wanted her gone, but, much like "The Goonies," Sarah never said die, and as soon as she picked up a much-deserved championship check, she retired from the game and left an elimination win legacy that remains unbeaten.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
CT: On the first "Inferno," there was never any talk of trying to oust CT. Even as the new guy, he was clearly a threat to Team Road Rules, and held his own among big, bad vets like Mike and Coral. Team Real World just missed out on the final prize, but CT consistently intimidated the other team to the point of terror, and -- if you can believe it -- did so peacefully (if you'll recall, he stopped the epic battle between Julie and Coral).
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Svetlana: The princess of "Key West," Svetlana wasn't on anyone's radar when she entered "The Duel," particularly after the other three rookie members of her "Real World" cast were eliminated straight off the bat. But as soon as Svetlana found allies in Wes and Aneesa, and a reason to fight, she was determined to cross the finish line, and did just that -- behind only the likes of superwoman Jodi.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Landon: Generally speaking, party boys don't fare too well on "The Challenge," but Landon became a huge threat on "Inferno II" almost immediately upon arriving to Mexico, and even threw himself to an elimination to spare Mike "The Miz" the trouble. Landon racked up four Life Savers throughout the season -- more than any other competitor -- and definitely earned his ultimate championship check.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Jamie: When Jamie joined "The Challenge" cast, she wasn't a clear threat, but as the weeks went on, she proved to be a silent one. Toward the end of "Inferno II," even legend Rachel said she wouldn't want to go head to head against Jamie in an elimination round, and even though Ms. Chung has traded in her competitive gear for a Hollywood career, she definitely left her mark -- and won a bit o' dough along the way.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Wes: There was no mistaking the vets' strategy on "Fresh Meat": Get the "Austin" cast out, and get 'em out quick -- and it worked on Danny, Melinda and Johanna, who fell like dominoes. Wes, on the other hand, wasn't one to throw in the towel, and survived five Exiles with Casey to make it to the finals. The unlikely survivors came in last place, but they took out more than half the cast by themselves.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Sarah: When she's not getting ousted by association, Sarah can typically be counted on to make it pretty deep into the game, and her showing on "The Ruins" was nothing short of exemplary. On her first "Challenge" try, Sarah and KellyAnne were the members of the Challengers Team to survive the whole game, and were it not for one particularly tricky bamboo obstacle, the two underdogs probably would have walked away winners.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Emily: Nowadays, competitors know better than to mess with Emily, but on "Cutthroat," the "D.C." alum was just a lowly n00b who wanted to make a name for herself. Her team was a sinking ship throughout the season, but Em voluntarily sent herself into two separate Gulags to prove her worth, and even though she and Jenn didn't win the final, Em sent future Challengers a clear message through the game: I am not one to be f**ked with.
Dig Remote Control? Follow us on Twitter, like, now.