Michaela scores back-to-back daily wins on The Challenge: Vets & New Threats

The Challenge: Vets & New Threats Season 41 aired its fifth episode on August 27, 2025.

The long-running MTV reality competition continues to test pairs of veteran players and newer competitors through physical and strategic challenges.

This week’s installment carried both a major exit and an important arrival, shaping the game moving forward.

The episode featured the sudden departure of two-time champion Cara Maria Sorbello, who chose to leave after receiving news from home.

Host TJ Lavin acknowledged her impact, while cast members expressed support. Her exit left the house uneven, opening the door for another familiar face to enter.

Meanwhile, the daily challenge highlighted both teamwork and endurance, ending with Michaela Bradshaw and Jake Cornish earning their second win in a row.

The power they gained influenced which players were sent to elimination, and eventually which competitor was sent home.

By the end of the night, Ben Davis was eliminated following a tiebreaker decision that placed him in the arena.

The developments created a new balance of power within the house and introduced another returning champion to The Challenge .

Daily challenge and elimination in The Challenge

The daily challenge this week had a football theme and was tied to the release of Jordan Peele’s new movie, Him.

Teams were tasked with digging up three poles, constructing a goal post, and completing a field goal kick. The first pair to finish would secure safety and influence over the elimination vote in The Challenge .

Michaela Bradshaw and her partner Jake Cornish finished first, winning their second consecutive daily.

Michaela commented after their win that two weeks in a row felt good, but it also put a target on their backs.

Their victory gave them the ability to protect another pair from elimination. They chose to keep Jonna Mannion and Leo Dionicio safe.

The elimination vote created tension. Initially, Derek Chavez requested to face Yeremi Hykel, which would have spared his partner Ben Davis.

However, strategic maneuvering in the house shifted the target. A tie vote between Yeremi and Ben forced a coin toss, resulting in Ben being sent into elimination.

The final elimination pitted Ben Davis against Derek. Despite competing hard, Ben was unable to secure the win.

His exit followed his earlier daily victory in the season, marking a quick turn in his Challenge journey.

Cara Maria’s exit and Jonna’s arrival in The Challenge

The most notable storyline from episode 5 of The Challenge was the early exit of Cara Maria Sorbello.

During a private moment, she explained that she had received bad news from home and needed to go back to be with her family.

Viewers later learned that her departure was linked to the passing of her mother earlier this year. Her decision was met with support from both veteran players and the new challengers.

With Cara Maria gone, the house was left uneven heading into the daily competition. To restore balance, host TJ Lavin introduced a returning player: Jonna Mannion.

Lavin stated that the players would not be allowed to compete short and welcomed Jonna to the game.

Jonna has a long history with the series, beginning in Season 20 of The Challenge. Her strongest results came in the All Stars spinoff, where she secured back-to-back wins in Seasons 2 and 3.

Her arrival reestablished the number of players and added another experienced competitor to the veteran side.

The episode’s shift from Cara Maria’s emotional departure to Jonna’s surprise return underlined the unpredictable structure of the season.

With new pairings formed, the competition set up for a reset as the cast prepared for the daily challenge.

The episode closed with the house now reset, Jonna integrated into the cast, and Michaela and Jake holding power for another week.

Stay tuned for more updates.