"Not on my Bingo Card" — The Challenge 40 fans react to CT crying in the premiere

The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras premiered on MTV on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. The much-awaited reality competition featured 40 legendary competitors from the series' noteworthy 26-year history. Representing their era, each player vowed to deliver their best performance and outshine the others.

To secure the $1 million prize, one must defeat the other iconic players in the competition. However, to achieve that goal cast members will have to overcome grueling tasks, cut-throat politics, and challenging circumstances. It will be interesting to note how the relationship dynamics affect the contestants' gameplay.

In the first episode of The Challenge 40, titled The Era Invitational: Part 1, host T. J. Lavin surprised the cast members with a shocking twist. He announced that only 32 contestants would advance in the competition since eight players would be eliminated after the first challenge. It provoked the legends to put their best foot forward.

As the cast members gathered, CT Tamburello from Era 1, got emotional recalling the history of the show and his contribution to it. Fans took to X to react to his emotional breakdown.

"CT being the first person to cry on this season was not on my Bingo Card. Anyone who bet money on Josh or Michele as the first criers have to be devastated. #TheChallenge40," a fan wrote.

"CT crying made me cry! We've watched him grow up on The Challenge over the years. I'm so glad he's on this season. I wish Wes could have made it too," another fan commented.

"Seeing CT cry is going to make me cry, I want to hug him #TheChallenge40," a netizen reacted.

Chris "CT" Tamburello appeared in the 1998 version of The Challenge and remained associated with the franchise ever since. Viewers felt nostalgic to see him return to the competition series as a legend. CT recalled his time on TV and was overwhelmed by emotions.

"Hearing CT talk about being on the Challenge knowing I’ve been watching for over 15 years #TheChallenge40," a person tweeted.

"Damn I wasn't expecting to see CT cry #TheChallenge #TheChallenge40," another person commented.

"Why is CT making me cry already? Damn dude. #TheChallenge40," a user tweeted.

"Yes, I did cry within the first 5 mins of #TheChallenge40 when CT cries, I cry," one fan wrote.

The Challenge 40 fans considered CT as one of the original players who had more experience than the others on the show.

"CT getting emotional because he’s the staple and GOAT of the challenge #TheChallenge #TheChallenge40," a netizen tweeted.

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What happened in the first task of The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras?

In the challenge called "Light it Up," the contestants first had to solve a puzzle that said "40." Then they had to paddle out into the lake to find 10 lights from the buoys floating. The first man and woman to secure all the lights that corresponded to their era and plug them into the cradle would gain immunity from the upcoming The Challenge 40 elimination.

The male and female players who finished last would head straight into elimination. The winners of the challenge were granted the power to choose who the losers competed against. However, the competitors had to be from their own teams. CT and Rachel were the winners from Era 1, while Mark and Katie were the losers.

Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio and Laurel from Era 2 were the first to finish The Challenge 40 task, whereas Ryan and KellyAnne finished last. From Era 3, Cory and Tori outperformed the others, while Leroy and Nia came in last. Horacio and Michele from Era 4 joined the other winners, while Theo and Nurys headed straight into elimination.

Tensions rose as the contestants started discussing who they would put in the elimination round to compete with the losers. Although the results were not announced, some age-old rivalry and personal vendettas seemed to surface as cast members brainstormed their next move.

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The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras will return with a new episode on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, only on MTV.