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This week’s episode of The Challenge All-Stars: Rivals took the final four pairs straight into the money round. What started as a race quickly turned into a battle of egos, revenge, and unexpected teamwork breakdowns.
The episode, titled “A Race for the Stars,” aired on Wednesday, April 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. With TJ Lavin back as host, this leg of the final tested the physical endurance and patience of rivals who still haven’t settled old scores.
Out of 26 returning All Stars, only four duos remain: Adam Larson and Steve Meinke, Da’Vonne Rogers and Shane Landrum, Frank Fox and Sam McGinn, and Melissa Reeves and Nicole Zanatta. Each team is chasing its share of the $300,000 grand prize.
As we know, in The Challenge, even the final isn’t safe from drama and Shane made sure of that.
The Challenge finale kicks off with tension
The Challenge episode opened with a brunch between the remaining teams, a rare moment of calm before the chaos. Things were already rocky between Da’Vonne and Shane, and when someone asked if they'd stay friends after this, Shane said yes. Da’Vonne quickly changed the subject. Shane, visibly annoyed, left the table:
“I’ll be damned if she leaves here with a f---ing dollar,”
Shane later told producers. This wasn't just rivalry anymore. It was personal.
In The Challenge, being rivals is part of the format. But Shane’s threat to throw the final round to spite Da’Vonne raised the stakes. If he followed through, it could sabotage both of their chances at the $250,000 top prize.
And with TJ reminding everyone that they must finish to earn any prize money, the pressure was officially on.
Stars and strategy: How the final works
This year’s The Challenge final isn’t just a race. It’s a strategy game. The format is simple: each leg of the final awards stars based on performance. Teams collect stars by completing checkpoints in the fastest time. Whoever ends up with the most stars wins.
But there’s a twist: if a team fails to complete a checkpoint, they get zero stars. No finish, no payout.
Checkpoint one was "Coding Ball." Teams had to memorize symbols, solve a code, and keep a ball in constant motion while running uphill. It was tough, but Melissa and Nicole came out on top.
Checkpoint two, “#Barrels,” tested balance and teamwork. Rivals had to walk across barrels and solve a math puzzle. Da’Vonne and Shane won this round, gaining momentum in the star count.
By making every challenge count, The Challenge pushed these pairs to the limit. Da’Vonne and Shane, despite the tension, kept performing.
Sabotage and shade: the most chaotic moment
Next came “Towered Out.” This checkpoint brought chaos. Using a bungee sling, teams had to build a pyramid out of 28 baskets. Each team also had a ball they could use to sabotage another team’s tower.
Sam used his ball to knock down some of Da’Vonne and Shane’s baskets. Shane tried to return the favor, but Frank blocked his shot. Tensions flared again, especially with Shane already on edge.
It was here that Shane seemed closest to snapping. His earlier threat to sabotage Da’Vonne still lingered.
“I want her to feel how I felt,” ,he mumbled.
Despite all the drama, Adam and Steve won this checkpoint. Da’Vonne and Shane dropped to third in this round. But they weren’t out yet.
In The Challenge, momentum shifts fast. One good round can put you back in the running. And that's what came next.
Final push: camping chaos and a surprising comeback
The last checkpoint of Day 1 was “Camping Chaos.” Teams had to recreate a display of 42 camping items placed at the top of a hill — one item at a time. The uphill sprints were brutal, and precision was everything.
This time, Da’Vonne and Shane pulled through and won the round. Frank and Sam came in second, followed by Melissa and Nicole. Adam and Steve came in last, after struggling to get the setup right.
By the end of Day 1, here’s where the stars stood:
- Da’Vonne and Shane — 13 stars
- Adam and Steve — 10 stars
- Melissa and Nicole — 9 stars
- Frank and Sam — 7 stars
Despite all the tension, Da’Vonne and Shane were in the lead. It was a surprise, given how shaky their partnership seemed earlier.
Still, in The Challenge, Day 2 can change everything. And Shane’s earlier threat still hangs in the air.
The finale continues next week, and only one team will walk away with the $250,000 grand prize. But it’s not just about physical strength anymore. With personal grudges, sabotage balls, and trust issues still in play, anything can happen.
Will Shane actually throw the final? Or will his competitive drive override his personal grudge against Da’Vonne?
One thing’s clear — The Challenge is staying true to its name. It’s not just a battle of brawn but a full-on emotional rollercoaster.
TJ Lavin said it best:
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“If you can’t work with your partner, you’re not gonna make it.”
And as we’ve seen this season, working with a rival is sometimes the hardest challenge of all.
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