The Challenge: Champs vs Pros

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Ten of the Strongest Athletes From Across The Sports World Compete For Ultimate Bragging Rights During A Special Six-Week Series

NEW YORK, NY (April 24, 2017) – MTV expands one if its most popular and iconic franchises, “The Challenge,” with the debut of a special six-week event “The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros” premiering Tuesday, May 16 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The series answers the question – what will happen when ten of America’s top athletes go up against ten of MTV’s top competitors from “The Challenge?” Hosted by NFL star, Victor Cruz, “Champs vs. Pros” will feature some of the strongest competitors from the “The Challenge” franchise, going head to head with some of the fiercest competitors who span the professional sports world from football to skiing, UFC to surfing and more. The roster of Pros is outlined below. The Champs will be announced after “The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions” finale and reunion special on Tuesday, May 9.

“In what promises to be the most competitive clash of teams in Challenge history, viewers will finally get their wish to see how our champs stack up against professional athletes,” said Nina L. Diaz, EVP, Head of Unscripted Programming for MTV and VH1. “As a Super Bowl and a Pro Bowl champion, Victor Cruz is the ultimate all-star and we are beyond excited to have him as our MVP and host for this epic Challenge.”

“The Challenge” is an iconic MTV series that I grew up watching,” said host Victor Cruz. “The sports world is known for producing remarkable athletes, colorful characters and memorable heroes, but this competition will give my fellow pro-athletes a chance to test their skills against some of the absolute best Challenge Champs and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds!”

Each episode of the six-week event will focus on a different strength: Agility, Ingenuity, Brawn, Brains, Endurance, and Guts. Every week the winning team’s captain will choose one member of their team to go into the elimination round and the rest of the team will vote in their opponent. The losing team’s captain is automatically sent into elimination and their team will also nominate their opponent. The final male and female competitors of the season will be put to the ultimate test, showcasing each strength in one heart-pounding race for the chance to win $50,000 to donate to their favorite charity.

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THE PROS:
Tia Blanco
Professional Surfer

Louise Hazel
Olympian & Fitness Expert

Lindsey Jacobellis
Professional Snowboarder

Lolo Jones
Olympic Hurdler, Bobsledder & World Champion

Gus Kenworthy
Professional Skier & Olympic Medalist

Shawne Merriman
Retired NFL Linebacker

CM Punk
UFC Fighter

Louie Vito
Professional Snowboarder & Olympian

Kamerion Wimbley
Retired NFL Star

Candice Wiggins
Former WNBA Athlete

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