“I was in for some trouble”: The Challenge star Mark Long chimes in on being eliminated from season 40

The second episode of The Challenge 40 aired on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 8 pm ET/PT. The current season of the show marks its 26th anniversary and features Veterans (past contestants) and more recent contestants as they compete for the prize money of $1 million. After competing in the Era Invitational, where the weakest will be eliminated, the strongest challengers will go against each other in the Challenge Era.

In episode 2, eight contestants were eliminated, including Mark Long, Amanda Garcia, Leroy Garrett, Katie Coolie, Paulie Calafiore, Nurys Mateo, KellyAnne Judd, and Brandon Nelson. The episode saw Mark Long go against Derrick in the "Pole wrestle" challenge despite having a massive size advantage against his opponent.

Mark Long spoke about his departure from The Challenge 40 during an interview with Entertainment Weekly on August 21, 2024. He explained that his teammates initially felt that the size difference and his career in the wrestling industry would turn the challenge in his favor, but it didn't materialize that way.

"I remember Jordan telling me to lay on him. He's [Derrick] very compact, so I knew I was in for some trouble, and he's done it so many times. And my strategy was terrible," stated Mark.

Derrick has never lost a "Pole wrestle" challenge before in the history of the competition and sent Mark packing.

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Mark's elimination in episode 2 of The Challenge 40 explored

Mark lost his first challenge in episode 1, and Derrick volunteered to go against him. The host, TJ Lavin, declared that both contestants from Era 1 will compete in the "Pole Wrestle" challenge.

Initially, Mark took control in the first round of the best of three bouts. He took advantage of his heavier body and tried to force Derrick down on the sand. Mark revealed that his teammates, CT and Jordan, asked him to do so. Derrick wasn't going to let his undefeated crown slip in the competition and somehow flipped Mark over and got to the pole.

Round two was no different, and Derrick growled his way to the pole and in the process, eliminated Mark from the competition. In the same era, Katie was also eliminated by Olivia in the "Pole Wrestle" challenge.

Mark revealed that all the cast members were very gracious including Derrick who gave him a proper sendoff after the match. He joked that it was not his funeral and that he would be back to compete against the "young b*stards" next time.

Mark is currently the BRCW All-Star Champion. He explained that wrestling is just entertainment and the only thing that would make him feel more confident going up against Derrick was if he was a "division five NCAA wrestler".

Mark also disclosed his chat with Derrick where he asked to train with him to get better at wrestling and suggested the best thing now would be if Derrick wins the competition.

"I told Derrick, 'I might have to fly up there and we might have to practice Pole Wrestle in your front yard so that I can get a better strategy for one of the younger folks next time.' But we laughed about it today. He's like, 'You're not mad, right?''I'm like, 'Quit saying I'm mad. Dude, I love you, so who cares? It's all good. Go win this thing'," Mark said.

By the end of episode 2, TJ Lavin introduced another twist in the show and asked the eliminated contestants including Mark to rate the remaining challengers on a scale of 1-5.

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New episodes of The Challenge 40: Battle Of The Eras air every Wednesday on MTV and Paramonut+.