"He's dumb"— The Challenge fans criticize Josh for not targeting Laurel and Johnny Bananas

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras aired episode 6 this week on September 25, 2024. The segment saw Brad and Rachel, Johnny Bananas and Laurel, Cory and Jonna, and Josh and Jenny as targets after last week's elimination.

As the cast was deliberating upon who to send into the next elimination, Josh and Tori discussed their alliance with Era 3, but the male cast member was adamant about saving Johnny Bananas from the elimination arena.

While in conversation with Cory, Jonna, and Jenny, he said he felt bad that he couldn't take Johnny's name, recalling All Stars 2, when he blindsided the cast member.

Fans reacted to Josh's gameplay online and were critical of him for not wanting to vote Johnny Bananas into elimination:

"Josh once proves that he's dumb and Bananas manipulated him yet again. He'll never win. THROW LAUREL and Bananas in!"

"Great job Josh… no b*lls! Bananas just made a puppet of you. Smh. Some of you people never learn!" a fan commented.

"Quiet as it’s kept…. Michelle and Cory were both right Josh and Jenny had a PRIME opportunity to throw in Bananas and Laurel and Josh let the ghost of season’s past guilt get the best of him meanwhile Jenny still at the bottom of everyone’s list," a tweet read.

The Challenge season 40 fans said that Johnny Bananas had manipulated him:

"I hope Josh heard bananas loud and clear when he said “i’ve created a mountain of guilt and placed it on his shoulders” that’s not a friend in or out the game," a person wrote.

"Only Josh could make a decision so stupid that he makes me agree with Michele. She’s 100% right…Josh is going to be sitting on a plane crying while Bananas and Laurel are laughing to the bank," a fan commented.

"Josh protecting Bananas and letting himself be tricked into having his back. Pathetic!," a tweet read.

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras fans further said:

"I mean… I would’ve thrown bananas and laurel in to get rid of these strong players but Josh has never been that smart," a person wrote.

"Era 4 wasn’t doing what Michelle wanted. So what better way to make Johnny a target again and change Josh’s mind than pitting a member of the vacation alliance (protected by Josh) against Bananas," a fan commented.

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"I can't say Johnny's name"— The Challenge: Battle of the Eras star Josh discusses his strategy

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras, also known as season 40, aired episode 6 this week on MTV. By losing the daily challenge, Rachel Robinson and Brad Fiorenza from Era were had to perform in the elimination arena from Era 1.

As winners of the task, Era 4 team members, Josh and Jenny were given the power to choose Era 1's opponents. The options they had were Laurel and Bananas from Era 2 or Jonna and Cory from Era 3.

While deliberating who to pick, Josh pointed out that he and Jenny had strong connections with The Challenge season 40 star Johnny Bananas. He recalled that Jenny and Johnny won Total Madness together and that she felt a sense of loyalty to the reality star.

He also recalled himself betraying Johnny during The Challenge All Stars 2 and said he couldn't take his name.

"I'm not gonna sit on it, like I feel really f*cking bad, I do, that I can't say Johnny's name right now," Josh said.

Jonna questioned Josh about what would happen if it was Johnny against Tori, or Josh himself. The contestant asked if the contestant thought Bananas would choose Josh.

Ultimately Josh and Jenny picked Jonna and Cory for elimination. Rachel defeated Jonna while Cory defeated Brad and sent the two packing.

Fans reacted to Josh's strategy online and criticized him for saving Johnny Bananas.

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The Challenge season 40 will air episode 7 next week on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 on MTV.