Look, if you’ve been following the franchise since the days of Winnebagos and T-Mobile Sidekicks, you know the vibe. But The Challenge All Stars 5 just hit different. It wasn’t just another spinoff. It was a total overhaul that had fans screaming in the subreddits and jumping for joy in the same breath.
Honestly? Most people thought the "All Stars" brand was strictly for the 40-plus crowd who missed the 90s. Then season 5 happened. It moved from the quiet comfort of Paramount+ straight back to the big stage on MTV. That move alone told us everything we needed to know. The stakes were higher, the budget was bigger, and the drama? Absolute peak.
What Really Happened With the Rivals Format
The biggest shocker wasn't just the cast—it was the "Rivals" theme. We haven't seen a true Rivals season in years. Watching people who genuinely can't stand each other get tethered together in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was pure gold.
But it wasn't just old-school beef. Production got crafty. They paired up people like Adam Larson and Steve Meinke, whose drama literally just boiled over in season 4. It felt fresh. You also had Amber Borzotra and Fessy Shafaat, which was a masterclass in awkward energy. Fessy has spent years trying to convince us he’s the "new face" of the show, but putting him next to a winner like Amber really highlighted the cracks in his social game.
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The Cast That No One Expected
Twenty-six people. That’s a lot of egos for one house. The casting department went rogue in the best way possible by pulling from everywhere: Survivor, Big Brother, even 12 Dates of Christmas.
- The OGs: Katie Cooley, Veronica Portillo, and Beth Stolarczyk.
- The Modern Titans: Devin Walker, Leroy Garrett, and Da'Vonne Rogers.
- The Wildcards: Turbo Çamkıran and Melissa Reeves.
Seeing Frank Sweeney and Sam McGinn back together was a fever dream. If you remember Battle of the Seasons 2012, you know that partnership was toxic with a capital T. Seeing them try to navigate a modern final was a highlight for anyone who appreciates the "messy" era of the show.
The Vietnam Heat and the Final Challenge
Vietnam is no joke. The humidity alone is a competitor. The daily challenges this season, like "Frenemies" and "Edge of Glory," looked physically draining. There’s this one elimination called "Downpour" where Adam and Steve had to face off against Aneesa and Ashley M. It was brutal.
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Adam and Steve ended up being the "elimination kings" of the season. They weren't just winning; they were surviving the house's attempts to pick them off. It’s rare to see a team go into the Jungle that many times and actually come out on top. Usually, the house wears you down. Not these guys.
Who Actually Took the Money?
The final was a two-day marathon. It came down to four teams:
- Adam & Steve
- Da'Vonne & Shane
- Frank & Sam
- Melissa & Nicole
Adam Larson and Steve Meinke pulled off the win. It was a massive redemption arc for Steve, who has historically been the "nice guy" who gets the short end of the stick. They split the $250,000 prize, proving that even "rivals" can find a way to work together when a quarter-million dollars is on the table. Da'Vonne and Shane took second, which, honestly, felt like a victory for Shane given how long he’s been chasing a final.
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Why This Season Still Matters in 2026
The reason The Challenge All Stars 5 sticks in our heads is that it bridged the gap. It wasn't just a nostalgia trip. By moving to MTV and opening the doors to newer reality stars, it felt like a legitimate "pro-bowl" of reality TV.
It also reminded us that the "Star" mechanic actually works. Stealing stars creates a level of paranoia that a standard vote just can't match. When Nany and Turbo stole that star in episode 9, the house flipped. That’s the kind of high-stakes television we pay for.
If you're looking to catch up, the best way to digest this season is to watch the mid-season episodes carefully. The political shift in episode 7, where Shane started targeting his own alliance (including his BFF Veronica), is where the real game was won and lost.
To get the most out of the experience, pay attention to the "Star" totals throughout the season. The power dynamics shifted every time someone won a daily, and understanding who had leverage at the dinner table is just as important as knowing who won the footrace at the end. Keep an eye on the official MTV archives for the "Un-Rivaled" behind-the-scenes specials to see just how much of that "rivalry" remained after the cameras stopped rolling.