The Challenge: Invasion Of The Champions—7 Shocking Moments And The Winners’ Current Status In 2025

The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions, Season 29 of the iconic MTV reality competition, remains one of the most polarizing and strategically complex seasons in the franchise’s history. Airing in 2017, the season introduced a revolutionary "Underdogs vs. Champions" format that promised to shake up the established order, pitting hungry newcomers against the show’s most decorated legends. As of December 2025, the season is frequently revisited by fans and critics alike, often cited for the incredible comeback story of its male champion and the controversial rise of its female victor.

This deep-dive retrospective explores the controversial format, the biggest moments of drama, and provides an up-to-the-minute look at what the two champions, Chris "CT" Tamburello and Ashley "Millionaire" Mitchell, are doing now, years after their defining win in Krabi, Thailand.

The Champions' Biography and Defining Moments

The two winners of *Invasion of the Champions* are figures who have profoundly shaped the trajectory of *The Challenge*. Their victory in Thailand marked a pivotal moment in both of their careers, setting the stage for future Hall of Fame-worthy runs.

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• Chris "CT" Tamburello
  • Born: July 16, 1980 (Age 45 in 2025)
  • Original Show: *The Real World: Paris* (2003)
  • Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
  • Invasion of the Champions Win: His second career win, marking a triumphant return to form after a period away from the show focused on his personal life.
  • Current Status: Remains an iconic figure on the show, having accumulated five main season wins, solidifying his status as one of the greatest of all time. He has also pursued acting roles and was recently featured in discussions related to the upcoming 40th season of *The Challenge*.
• Ashley "Millionaire" Mitchell
  • Original Show: *Real World: Skeletons* (2014)
  • Defining Nickname: "Millionaire Mitchell" after her controversial move in a later season (*Final Reckoning*).
  • Invasion of the Champions Win: Her first career win, establishing her as a serious competitor and a strategic force.
  • Current Status: Continues to be one of the most controversial and talked-about competitors in the show's history. She has been on over 10 seasons of *The Challenge* and recently addressed her return for *The Challenge: All Stars: Rivals* after a sudden, controversial exit from a previous season.

The Underdog vs. Champion Format: A Controversial Twist

The core concept of *Invasion of the Champions* was its two-phase format, which was both highly praised for its originality and criticized for its perceived unfairness. The season was split into two distinct groups and locations.

Phase 1: The Underdogs and "The Shelter"

The season began with 18 "Underdogs"—players who had never won a season—competing against each other. They lived in a cramped, basic living space known as "The Shelter." Their mission was to win daily challenges and avoid elimination to earn a spot in "The Oasis," a luxurious villa, and secure their place in the final phase. This initial stage was crucial for establishing new rivalries and alliances among the non-winners.

Phase 2: The Invasion and The Oasis

The major twist occurred when eight veteran "Champions" (four men and four women) arrived, literally "invading" the game after the Underdogs had already competed for several weeks. These champions—including legends like CT, Johnny Bananas, Laurel Stucky, and Camila Nakagawa—were immediately granted immunity and lived in luxury at "The Oasis."

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The format then shifted: the remaining Underdogs had to compete against the Champions in elimination rounds to earn their spot in the final. This structure created a dramatic, high-stakes scenario where the Underdogs had to prove they belonged, while the Champions had to defend their legacy against fresh, motivated competition.

7 Defining Moments That Made Season 29 Legendary

Despite the format's complexity, *Invasion of the Champions* delivered some of the most memorable and strategically significant moments in *The Challenge* history.

1. CT's Triumphant Return and Transformation: CT Tamburello’s narrative was the heart of the season. After taking time off to focus on fatherhood and his personal life, he returned in noticeably better physical shape and with a newfound focus, shedding his "Bad Boy" persona to become a strategic, dominant force. His win here was widely considered one of the most fulfilling comebacks ever.
2. The Laurel vs. Cara Maria Showdown: The season featured a long-awaited elimination face-off between rivals Laurel Stucky and Cara Maria Sorbello. This high-stakes battle, which saw Laurel eliminated, was a major upset and a defining moment for Cara Maria's competitive status.
3. Ashley Mitchell's Rise: Ashley M.'s victory was pivotal. She was an Underdog who successfully navigated the political landscape and outperformed the established female champions in the final, proving her competitive prowess and setting the stage for her future "Millionaire" title.
4. The Surprise Champion Elimination Twist: The moment the Champions were revealed to be vulnerable to elimination by the Underdogs—not just competing against each other—was a major shock. It instantly raised the stakes and validated the Underdogs' struggle.
5. Hunter Barfield's Dominance: Underdog Hunter Barfield proved his mettle by winning several challenges and eliminations, cementing his place as a future top-tier competitor, even though he didn't win the season.
6. The Final Challenge's Grueling Stages: The final was a multi-stage marathon in Krabi, Thailand, involving swimming, puzzles, and endurance. The intense heat and complex puzzles tested the remaining players to their absolute limits, leading to a dramatic finish.
7. The Unfair Advantage Debate: The biggest controversy remains the format itself. The Champions were given a significant competitive advantage—immunity and luxury living—while the Underdogs had to fight tooth and nail just to earn a spot to compete against them. This structural imbalance is still debated among fans today.

The Legacy of Invasion of the Champions in The Challenge Universe

While *Invasion of the Champions* aired several years ago, its legacy is undeniably current. The season served as a crucial bridge between the old guard of *The Challenge* and the new era of competitors.

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The victory launched Ashley Mitchell into a new realm of strategic players, culminating in her infamous decision to take all the prize money in *Final Reckoning*. For CT Tamburello, the season cemented his status as a perennial threat, proving he could win even when not in peak physical condition, relying instead on his political savvy and veteran experience. His continued success, including multiple subsequent wins, is often traced back to the focus and drive he rediscovered during *Invasion*.

Furthermore, the season's unique format has been referenced and adapted in later seasons, demonstrating its impact on the show's producers. As fans prepare for the landmark 40th season of *The Challenge*, recaps and retrospectives of *Invasion of the Champions* are frequently being published, highlighting its importance as a turning point where the Underdogs finally got their chance to challenge the throne.