The Challenge: Battle Of The Bloodlines—The Full, Confusing Story And Where The Cast Is Now

The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines remains one of the most polarizing seasons in the long-running history of the MTV reality competition series. Airing back in 2015, this 27th season attempted to inject fresh drama and new faces by forcing veteran competitors to team up with a family member—a cousin, sibling, or close relative—to compete for a massive cash prize. As of late 2024, the season is frequently revisited by fans for its chaotic format, unexpected winners, and the pivotal role it played in launching the careers of several future Challenge legends.

The core concept, modeled after the popular *Survivor: Blood vs. Water* theme, was simple: trust your family or risk losing everything. Filmed primarily in the exotic, high-stakes locations of Bodrum, Turkey, and Berlin, Germany, the season was designed to test the bonds of kinship under extreme pressure. While the premise was intriguing, the execution—particularly the mid-season twist that separated the bloodlines—led to one of the most heavily debated formats in the show's history, yet it still delivered unforgettable drama and introduced a new generation of Challengers.

The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines (Season 27) Full Cast & Biography Profiles

The season featured 14 veteran players paired with their respective "Bloodlines" partner. This mix of established veterans and complete rookies created a unique dynamic, with the veterans having to manage not only the game but also their family member's introduction to the often-brutal world of *The Challenge*. The following is a list of the primary teams and their current status:

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• Cara Maria Sorbello & Jamie Banks (Cousin):
  • Role on Bloodlines: Veteran (Cara Maria) and Rookie (Jamie). They were the ultimate winners of the season.
  • Current Status: Cara Maria is an all-time great, a two-time champion, and a dominant figure who has recently been mentioned in the context of *The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras*. Jamie Banks did not return to the main series after his victory, choosing to step away from reality television.
• Jenna Compono & Brianna LaCuesta (Cousin):
  • Role on Bloodlines: Veteran (Jenna) and Rookie (Brianna). Jenna's cousin Brianna was a strong partner who helped solidify Jenna's reputation as a formidable competitor.
  • Current Status: Jenna became a Challenge mainstay, known for her strong elimination record. She is now married to fellow Challenger Zach Nichols, and the couple has built a family, frequently sharing updates on their life away from the competition.
• Cory Wharton & Mitch Reid (Cousin):
  • Role on Bloodlines: Rookie (Cory) and Rookie (Mitch). Cory was technically a rookie to *The Challenge* but came from *Real World: Ex-Plosion*. Mitch, the self-proclaimed "nerd," was a strategic surprise. They were the male finalists.
  • Current Status: Cory Wharton has become one of the most recognizable faces of the franchise, a perennial finalist, and a father of multiple children, often appearing on other MTV shows like *Teen Mom*. Mitch Reid has not returned to *The Challenge*.
• Tony Raines & Shane Raines (Brother):
  • Role on Bloodlines: Rookie (Tony) and Rookie (Shane). This season marked Tony's infamous debut, filled with drama and conflict.
  • Current Status: Tony Raines went on to become a multi-season veteran, earning the nickname "Tony Time" and achieving a Final appearance. He has since focused on his family life. Shane Raines has also retired from the show.
• Leroy Garrett & Candice Fowler (Cousin):
  • Role on Bloodlines: Veteran (Leroy) and Rookie (Candice). They were disqualified early in the season due to Candice's illness.
  • Current Status: Leroy Garrett is a beloved veteran who has officially retired from the main *Challenge* series to focus on his relationship and personal life, but remains a fan favorite.
• Other Notable Teams: Nany Gonzalez & Nicole Ramos (Cousins), Thomas Buell & Stephen Buell (Twin Brothers), Camila Nakagawa & Larissa Nakagawa (Sister), Johnny Bananas & Vince Gliatta (Cousin).

The Chaotic Format and Controversial Twists of Season 27

While the family theme was a strong starting point, *Battle of the Bloodlines* is often remembered for its overly convoluted and confusing format. The initial structure pitted the veteran players against their own bloodlines in an early challenge, a move that immediately strained family bonds.

The competition started with a traditional team structure, but the drama truly ramped up when the 'Bloodlines' were unexpectedly split into two separate teams: the 'Red Team' and the 'Blue Team'. This twist forced cousins and siblings to compete directly against each other, a move designed to maximize drama but which many fans and critics felt made the game an "absolute mess."

One of the most memorable and controversial moments involved the "Pit" elimination round. In a shocking twist, two eliminated Bloodlines, Jamie Banks and Mike Chiesl, were given a chance to return to the game by defeating two former *Challenge* champions, CT Tamburello and Zach Nichols, in one-on-one battles. This move, which essentially brought in "ringers" to save a season's cast, was heavily criticized by the existing competitors and viewed by some as a sign that production was struggling with the season's direction.

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Despite the format issues, the season was a pivotal moment for several competitors. It was the rookie season for Tony Raines, whose drunken antics and early disqualification set the stage for his memorable run in future seasons. It also marked a significant turning point for Cara Maria Sorbello, who, alongside her cousin Jamie Banks, secured her first-ever *Challenge* championship, finally cementing her status as a top-tier competitor after years of near-misses and personal drama with ex-boyfriend Abram Boise.

Where Are The Bloodlines Now: Life Beyond The Challenge

The most current and compelling aspect of revisiting *Battle of the Bloodlines* in late 2024 is seeing the lasting impact the season had on the careers and personal lives of its stars. While many of the original "bloodlines" partners—like Jamie Banks, Brianna LaCuesta, and Mitch Reid—returned to their normal lives, the veteran cast members used the season as a springboard to reality TV stardom.

The Challenge Legends: Cara Maria and Cory Wharton

Cara Maria Sorbello's win on *Bloodlines* was a game-changer. It transformed her from a perennial underdog into a champion. She continued her career, becoming one of the most decorated female competitors with multiple championships, a legacy that continues to be discussed in the context of recent seasons like *The Challenge 40*. Her relationship with Paulie Calafiore has been a major point of discussion in the reality TV sphere, though she has taken a break from the main series in recent years.

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Cory Wharton, who made his *Challenge* debut on *Bloodlines* with his cousin Mitch Reid, leveraged his exposure into a massive career. He has appeared in numerous seasons, consistently making it to the Final, and has become a staple of MTV programming. His personal life, including his journey as a father and his appearances on *Teen Mom*, has kept him in the public eye, making him one of the most successful crossover stars from the season.

The Family Life: Jenna Compono and Tony Raines

Jenna Compono's journey after *Battle of the Bloodlines* is a testament to the long-lasting relationships forged on the show. Following her strong performance, she continued to compete, but her biggest life change came off-screen. Jenna married fellow *Challenge* veteran Zach Nichols, whom she met on a previous season. The couple has since welcomed multiple children, and their family life is a frequent topic of conversation among fans, highlighting a successful transition from reality TV drama to domestic bliss.

Tony Raines, whose dramatic rookie season on *Bloodlines* was marked by a quick exit and a lot of house trouble, evolved significantly. He returned for several subsequent seasons, eventually maturing into a stronger competitor and a more stable presence. Like Cory and Jenna, Tony has since focused on his family, stepping back from the intense competition schedule to raise his children. His evolution is one of the most talked-about character arcs to emerge from the *Bloodlines* cast.

Topical Authority: Why Bloodlines Still Matters Today

Despite its flaws, *The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines* holds a unique place in the franchise's history. It was a crucial transitional season, bridging the gap between the old guard and the new era of competitors. It proved that a new crop of players—the "bloodlines"—could step up and compete, even winning the whole game, as Jamie Banks demonstrated.

The season also set the stage for later, more successful themed seasons like *Rivals III* and *Final Reckoning* by testing the limits of partner dynamics. Today, *Bloodlines* is often viewed through a retrospective lens as a necessary, albeit messy, experiment that paved the way for the modern, high-stakes format of *The Challenge*. It remains a popular rewatch for fans who want to track the origins of their favorite stars and witness the dramatic, often-confusing, journey that led Cara Maria Sorbello and her cousin Jamie to the $250,000 grand prize in the Berlin Final.