The 5 Biggest Twists That Made The Challenge: Battle Of The Bloodlines The Most Divisive Season

As of December 12, 2025, *The Challenge* franchise continues to evolve with ever-changing formats, but few seasons spark as much debate among the devoted fanbase as Season 27: *Battle of the Bloodlines*. This 2015 installment, filmed in the stunning yet grueling landscape of Bodrum, Turkey, dared to break the mold by forcing veteran competitors to partner with their actual family members, a twist that simultaneously led to beautiful moments of familial bonding and some of the most dramatic, messy gameplay in the show's history. It was a high-stakes, high-emotion experiment that fundamentally altered the dynamics of the competition.

The core concept centered around the "Bloodline" twist: a veteran Challenger was paired with a relative—a sibling, cousin, or step-sibling—who was completely new to the game. Their fates were inextricably linked, meaning if one half of the pair was eliminated, the other was automatically sent home as well. This unprecedented level of shared consequence, combined with a convoluted elimination format and the introduction of a massive wave of rookies, created a season that remains one of the most polarizing and fascinating entries in the *Challenge* canon.

The Battle of the Bloodlines Full Cast List and Family Ties

The season featured 14 veteran Challengers, each bringing a relative—or "Bloodline"—into the competition. The dynamic between the established stars and their inexperienced family members was the primary source of both drama and strategy. Hosted by the legendary T. J. Lavin, the season saw some of the biggest names in *Challenge* history fight alongside their kin for the $500,000 prize.

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• Cara Maria Sorbello & Jamie Banks: Cousin (Winners)
• Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio & Vince Gliatta: Cousin
• C.T. Tamburello & Megan Brown: Sister of the late Diem Brown (C.T. was Diem's partner on *Rivals II* and a close friend)
• Jenna Compono & Brianna Compono: Sister (Third Place)
• Nany González & Nicole Ramos: Cousin
• Abram Boise & Mike Boise: Brother
• Cory Wharton & Mitch Reid: Cousin (Second Place)
• Leroy Garrett & Candice Roman: Cousin
• Aneesa Ferreira & Rianna Taylor: Cousin
• Dario Medrano & Raphy Medrano: Brother
• Thomas Buell & Stephen Buell: Twin Brother
• Cohutta Grindstaff & Jill Tuttle: Cousin
• Christina LeBlanc & Emily Reese: Stepsister
• Camila Nakagawa & Larissa Nakagawa: Sister (Disqualified)

The cast was a mix of seasoned champions, fan favorites, and a huge influx of rookies. The most notable pre-game storyline was the inclusion of Megan Brown, the sister of the beloved and recently deceased Challenger, Diem Brown, which added a profound emotional weight to the competition, especially for her partner, C.T. Tamburello.

The Convoluted Format: Why Bloodlines is Called a "Mess"

While the family pairing was a compelling concept, the actual structure of *Battle of the Bloodlines* is often cited by fans as overly complicated and detrimental to fair competition. The format was constantly shifting, leading to confusion and frustration among the players and viewers alike.

The Daily Challenge and Nomination Process

Each week, the Challengers competed in a "Daily Challenge" (or "Mission") as a pair. The winning pair of the Daily Challenge was granted immunity and formed the "Power Team." This Power Team's main responsibility was to nominate one pair for elimination, sending them directly to "The Pit."

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The "Bloodline" Vote and The Pit

The second pair for elimination was decided by a house vote, but with a unique twist. The veterans would vote for one veteran pair, and the Bloodlines would vote for a Bloodline pair. The pair with the most votes from their respective groups would then face each other in a final vote to determine the second team going into The Pit. This split voting system was highly criticized for being convoluted and often pitting family members against their own relatives in the voting booth, adding unnecessary complexity to the political game.

The Elimination Twist: Mixed Gender vs. Same Gender

The elimination rounds, known as "The Pit," rotated between male and female eliminations each week. However, the pairs themselves were often mixed-gender, forcing a situation where a strong male competitor could be eliminated simply because his female partner lost a female-only elimination round, or vice versa. This created an unfair dynamic, where a player's fate rested entirely on their partner's ability to perform in a specific gender-based challenge, regardless of their own strength. For example, a dominant veteran like Johnny Bananas was eliminated after his cousin, Vince Gliatta, lost a male elimination round, showcasing how a veteran's game could be prematurely ended by a rookie's performance.

The Shocking Final Challenge and The Unexpected Champions

The Final Challenge of *Battle of the Bloodlines* was a brutal, multi-day endurance race across the Turkish landscape, testing the remaining teams' physical and mental limits. It was a true test of partnership, as the bloodlines had to rely on each other's strengths to navigate the final leg of the competition.

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The final three teams were:

1. Cara Maria Sorbello & Jamie Banks (Cousins)
2. Cory Wharton & Mitch Reid (Cousins)
3. Jenna Compono & Brianna Compono (Sisters)

The eventual winners were the underdog team of Cara Maria Sorbello and her cousin, Jamie Banks. This victory was a massive moment for Cara Maria, who had been a perennial finalist but had never secured a win up to that point. The win was particularly sweet as she had endured significant personal drama throughout the season, including a tumultuous relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Abram Boise, who was also a contestant. Her cousin, Jamie, was a relatively unknown entity who proved to be a strong, reliable partner when it mattered most, helping Cara Maria finally secure her first championship title and the grand prize.

The Legacy and Long-Term Impact on The Challenge Franchise

Despite its polarizing format, *Battle of the Bloodlines* left a lasting impact on *The Challenge*. It successfully introduced a new wave of competitors who would go on to become staples of the show, significantly influencing the future political landscape.

• Rookie Powerhouses: The season launched the careers of several key players, most notably Cory Wharton and Nicole Ramos, who would both become multi-season veterans and finalists in subsequent seasons.
• Cara Maria's Championship Arc: The win cemented Cara Maria Sorbello's status as a top-tier competitor. It was the first of her eventual two championships, paving the way for her dominant run in the seasons that followed, including *Vendettas* and *Final Reckoning*.
• The Family Dynamic: While the format was flawed, the emotional core of the season—the dynamic between family members—was genuinely captivating. Seeing the loyalty, frustration, and love between pairs like Jenna Compono and Brianna Compono or the drama between Abram Boise and his brother Mike Boise provided a unique layer of personal stakes that had not been seen before.
• Diem Brown's Remembrance: The season also served as a tribute to the late Diem Brown. Her sister, Megan, competed to honor Diem's legacy, bringing a powerful and emotional narrative to the forefront that transcended the game's drama.

Ultimately, *The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines* stands as a crucial, albeit messy, turning point in the series. It proved that the show could successfully integrate new, non-reality-TV-alumni into the cast, while also demonstrating the risks of overcomplicating a successful format. For better or worse, it remains one of the most talked-about seasons, a true testament to the chaos and compelling drama that only *The Challenge* can deliver.