The Challenge: All Stars Rivals Episode 1 Recap: Shocking pairings and a brutal first elimination

Once again, the enemies are ready to pick their battles as The Challenge: All Stars Rivals Season 5 premiered its first episode on Jan 29, 2025. 26 enemies enter the show to take part in several physical, mental, and emotionally exhilarating challenges to win the ultimate title and take home $300,000. As they team up, make alliances, and take revenge, the show keeps moving on, with players getting eliminated every week.

In the premiere episode of The Challenge: All Stars Rivals, also famous among fans as The Challenge: All Stars 5, contenders are paired up, some with their friends and others with their rivals, to participate in this season's first task. As fans buzz about the pairing, one contestant almost gets eliminated on their very first day. Exes, former besties, bullies, and hardcore enemies are all gathered under one roof to take part in several challenges and survive each other's companies.

Let us take a quick look at the recap of the first episode of fans' favorite, The Challenge: All Stars Rivals.

---

What happened on The Challenge: All Stars Rivals Episode 1?

Episode 1 of The Challenge: All Stars Rivals welcomed 26 competitors to fight for the grand cash prize of $300,000 and the winning title. Host TJ Lavin takes over the stage as he reintroduces the past rivals from the series.

---

Pairing for the first challenge

For the first challenge of season 5 of The Challenge: All Stars Rivals, 13 enemies are paired up to face their first task of the season, which tests physical strength and the capacity to collaborate with sworn enemies. Following are the couples formed on day 1:

1. Adam Larson and Steve Meinke
2. Amber Borzotra and Faysal Shafaat
3. Aneesa Ferreira and Ashley Mitchell
4. Ashley Kelsey and Dario Medrano
5. Beth Stolarczyk and Jonna Mannion
6. Big T Fazakerley and Corey Lay
7. Da'Vonne Rogers and Shane Landrum
8. Devin Walker and Leroy Garrett
9. Frank Sweeney and Sam McGinn
10. Katie Cooley and Veronica Portillo
11. KellyAnne Judd and Sylvia Elsrode
12. Melissa Reeves and Nicole Zanatta
13. Nany González and Turabi "Turbo" Çamkıran

From furious arguments to clever partnerships, tensions rise as each team navigates the daily task designed to test them to their limits. With alliances breaking and new rivalries forming, it's a battle of wits and resolve as these foes must set aside, or exploit, their differences to win and secure their place in the game.

---

The first challenge got the best of a few

For the first challenge of The Challenge: All Stars Rivals, the contenders have to earn stars to make it to the final round. However, TJ reveals how there were places for only the top four teams. For the "Frienemies" round, the pairs have to race through Mudbath, Ice Transfer, and Ball-Ance Gurney.

While Amber and Faysal started strong, they were soon taken over by Adam and Steve. By the end of the race, nine teams were left at risk. The elimination results will be declared in episode 2.

---

Watch the first episode of The Challenge: All Stars Rivals on MTV. New episodes will air every Wednesday at 8 pm ET/PT.