Jonna from The Challenge 40 Responds to Rachel’s Elimination: “Won Fair and Square”

The Challenge 40 episode 6 debuted on September 25, 2024, on MTV. This exhilarating reality show brought back contestants from all 39 seasons and four different eras to battle it out for victory.

In this episode, Jonna Mannion and Brad Fiorenza faced elimination after a showdown against Rachel Robinson and Cory Wharton. Following the episode, they spoke to Entertainment Weekly, where they expressed their acceptance of the loss.

When asked if her elimination was a controversial call, Jonna stated that it was not contentious, asserting that their opponents won the round “fair and square.”Jonna elaborated:

“No, I wouldn’t say that it was controversial by any means. The people who won won fair and square.”

The participants of The Challenge season 40 commended their rivals and elaborated on the reasons for their defeat during the intense elimination round of episode 6 in the Battle of Eras season.

The Challenge 40 stars Jonna and Brad discuss their elimination

During the interview, Jonna and Brad shared their feelings about competing in their final elimination round. Jonna noted that she was unable to see the spikes involved in the challenge. Brad added that this factor was significant in their performance.

Jonna recounted that she and her competitor, Rachel, had to select sides for their challenge based on a coin flip. Showing sportsmanship, Jonna let Rachel choose any side she wanted, which turned out to be the Red side. Jonna expressed her confusion over Rachel’s choice until it was too late.

Brad explained that he had just completed his own bout against Cory when he learned from Jonna that she didn’t mind which side she picked. This decision was difficult for Brad to wrap his head around. He remarked:

“We eventually spoke about the elimination in the hotel [afterwards], but I couldn’t believe that [you gave her that side]. I knew it made a big difference, with the black in the background and the back splash, it did blur together.”

Jonna explained that she opted to let Rachel pick due to her inability to see the spikes in The Challenge 40 competition. Despite the side selection, she acknowledged Rachel’s prowess as a formidable opponent. Jonna stated:

“But let’s be honest though, Rachel is a bada*s, and I think has played every single sport. She’s an athlete. I’ll admit it, physical eliminations haven’t been my strong suit, which is fine, but you have to be ready for whatever it is.”

In addition, Brad recognized their loss was due to Cory having a superior game plan and strategy. Cory was “at the prime of his career,”and Brad sensed his opponent’s determination to secure a victory.

Brad further shared that this season of The Challenge has not been easy for him, and he does not feel he performed at his best. He took accountability for his defeat, admitting that Cory was the stronger competitor. He noted:

“When I was competing against him, and then I had to watch it back and I saw his chest pass strategy, and I’m like one arming it like they’re footballs and they’re off [center] and everything, man, he out-strategized me. He really did. Hats off to Cory for having a better strategy, beating me fair and square.”

The Challenge 40 episodes air every Wednesday on MTV.

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