The Challenge: Who did the cast vote for as GOATs of Season 40?

The Challenge 40 Reunion Part 2 aired recently and the cast crowned two contestants as GOATs. The episode brought back all the members to discuss their experiences all through the season. Various surprise appearances were the highlights of the episode. While we saw Amanda in the last part, TJ Lavin made an appearance this time.

Revelations were made, too, on various aspects including alliances. Turns out Josh and Laurel were a 'thing' during the filming of the season, although they later said they're just friends now.

The host shared a clip where Josh and Laurel can be seen cozying up by the pool. Josh had previously denied any bond with Laurel in the media, but this clip suggested otherwise. Laurel had told Nia it felt good to be with Josh.

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The Challenge 40 cast crowns the GOATs

The most important part of the reunion was the crowning of the GOATs of The Challenge 40. The cast members voted for their favorite players. The results declared one female and one male GOAT — Rachel and Jordan.

Jordan had been a tough player in The Challenge 40 finals, especially in the swimming rounds. He competed valiantly and won all the rounds, ultimately securing the first spot among the men on the show. Jordan won $400,000 and aced with 31 points.

As for Rachel, she tied with Jenny at the end. Jenny had been winning the rounds and was in pole position among the women. However, everything changed with the introduction of a new concept, the Karma Vote, which allowed the show's eliminated players to cast a vote worth 2 points each for any of the remaining players of their choice. Rachel, who was in the third position, jumped up to first after the Karma vote.

Since Rachel and Jenny's scores were tied, they ended up splitting the $400,000 booty. Due to the Karma Votes, Michele ended third.

Since the two GOATs, Jordan adn Rachel, were the same as the winners of The Challenge 40, it sparked a debate among the cast members. They were curious to know how the GOATs were decided.

Tori shared her opinion that the GOATs should have been Bananas and Jordan. She felt Bananas deserved it for the way he carried the show, and Jordan because of how he resiliently played in the finale episodes.

Banana asked about the GOAT selection:

"So that's what it's based on, finals?"

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The Challenge 40: TJ makes a cameo

Another huge moment during The Challenge Reunion Part 2 was the appearance of show host TJ Lavin. He gave a cameo through a video call. Asked what it meant to him to celebrate 40 seasons of the show, he said:

"I mean it's pretty crazy. I have seen every one of those people in that studio right now from the very beginning of their television stuff to now and they shine, you know, it's amazing."

The cast then collectively agreed that "TJ being proud of for doing something" was the best bit of the episode.

The host then pointed at a clip from the season where Johny Bananas is given a puzzle and he doesn't do well. The puzzle had double-sided pieces with TJ's face on it bu Bananas failed to solve it. Rather he said:

"I don't know who this person is, but I hate their face."

After the clip was aired on The Challenge 40 Reunion, the host asked if the two had "acknowledged" this moment between them, because Bananas, failing to solve the puzzle, wanted to "punch" the face. During the Reunion, laughing it off, Bananas threw a pillow at the screen where TJ's face was displayed.

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The Challenge 40 streams on DirecTV Stream and Hulu.