Challenge War Challenge War of the Worlds Episode 9 Power Rankings & Player Recaps

Episode 9 is in the books. You likely watched the episode, so I am here break down the specifics of what every player did in this episode. If you want to know about only your favorite players, just jump around.

Here is how I rank the current individuals through nine episodes:

Tier 1
1 Paulie
2 Wes
3 Theo

Nobody has been as good Paulie athletically this season. He has incredible cardio, explosiveness, and is fearless during the scariest missions. Wes is tied for the most daily wins and is a two time champion. He has the experience to pull out a win. Theo is barely scratching his surface as a competitor. He no longer has to deal with the massive height difference between himself and Cara. While Cara is a strong player, she has major weaknesses. Theo gets to prove himself on his own.

Tier 2
4 Turbo
5 Hunter

Turbo might be the best physical competitor left, however, he has no allies among the remaining males in the game (maybe Wes). Hunter is a big angry human who needs to calm down if he’s going to win again.

Tier 3
6 Kyle
7 Bear

Two British dudes who are solid competitors. They are not the level of athlete that the fives guys above them are.

Tier 1
1 Ninja
2 Cara
3 Mattie
4 Georgia

All four of these girls are scary. Ninja is an all-around beast. Her intelligence is underrated. Cara is a two time champ and seven time finalist, I honestly feel bad not putting her first. Mattie has not been as good at the daily challenges, though all the girls fear seeing her in elimination. Georgia has not been particularly bad at any challenge — she always finds a way to succeed.

Tier 2
5 Dee

Not quite as good as the top girls, though a step above the other two remaining. She is fit and good with puzzles.

Tier 3
6 Nany
7 DaVonne

DaVonne needs to step it up in daily challenges and work on her cardio. Nany needs to keep Turbo by her side for the rest of the game.

And now here are the player recaps:

Kyle: I was super close to selling all my Kyle stock at the end of Final Reckoning and I am so happy I did not. Kyle is a psychopath, yet he still has a level of self-awareness that nobody that is/has been closely involved with Cara Maria seems to have. Cara is deeply disturbed when Kyle hooks up with another girl, however, she denies it. He gave it his all in the daily challenge and won. He is open and honest with his partner Mattie. When the twist is announced, he knows Mattie was protecting him and now he is alone. Kyle is an average competitor who has pushed himself in multiple daily challenges to pull out wins and keep himself in the game. Besides calling Cara a slut, that was a bitch move Kyle, I’ve really admired him this season.

Mattie: I adore Mattie. She is a badass partner who has supported Kyle throughout, even with all the baggage he came with. Her height came in handy during the challenge. The game becoming individual will allow her to float freely. Players will fear her in a physical eliminations.

Cara: She was able bang out a round or two with Paulie this episode and win the daily challenge. Getting in those wins anywhere she can. Being unable to vote in Kyle made this elimination boring for Cara. I also think she is responsible for Paulie going into elimination. The fact that she did not attempt to broker a deal with Wes via Hunter to protect her boyfriend is baffling. This is the big difference between Cara and someone like Sarah Rice, Sarah wouldn’t have been passive about this. The game going solo will be interesting as her only true ally is Paulie.

Theo: He struggled on this daily challenge at first due to his fear of heights. Then he realized he didn’t need to jump much because of his long ass body. Theo lost his two biggest allies in Kam and Ash, and he’s only going to be Cara’s #2 compared to Paulie.

I feel bad for Theo because he had set himself up well. If Kam/Ash won their elimination, I do not think anyone would have had a better setup than Theo.

Hunter: Watching this episode reminded me that Hunter lost to Nelson in a puzzle on Invasion. Normally I will defend a player when they make a strategic move, even if it is bad because I like to see people actively play the game. I cannot understand Hunter’s mind-set.

Georgia: She killed another daily challenge. Nobody is surprised. Georgia is a beast and being a solo competitor will only help her as she is unanimously liked within the house. Her biggest enemy might be Hunter.

Paulie: He performed excellently in the elimination. I am happy Paulie is going to compete as an individual. He has been the best individual competitor this season, though part of me wonders if his 155–160 lb frame will be able to hold up in a physical elimination. Then again, Hunter is the last hulking guy left.

Ninja: As much as she is excited to play her own game, Ninja should worry about losing Paulie as a partner competitively and Cara as an ally. Then again, I don’t think she’ll have to worry about anyone calling her into elimination.

Her not stepping down against Paulie and keeping her friend Dee out of elimination was adorable. Ninja has massive balls.

Kam: This episode and season was just a bit lacking from Kam. I felt so bad for her as she was puking during the elimination, yet had so much respect for her as she was still shouting directions while puking. I hope she comes back engaged next season.

Ashley: His relationship with Zahida was edited out of the show and most of his fights were as well. I wanted so much from Ashley and did not get it. He was a bit too butt-hurt about getting called into elimination. Mate, if you don’t want to go into elimination, win a daily challenge. He also blamed his loss on a puzzle, which is a lame move.

Wes: He is in the doghouse after this episode. He should never comment on Day’s daughter. While he acted as mediator between Hunter and Georgia, he essentially manipulated Hunter into lying to Georgia for his own sake. I respect the game move, though it is a bit fucked up.

Wes is actively playing a political game where others are relying on social relationships. Yes, there is a difference.

Dee: And as much as Wes plays the political game, Dee’s social game kept them safe this week. They sucked in the daily challenge, but considering they are one of the shortest teams in the league with small wingspans, it’s hard to see them doing well in that challenge.

Turbo: A great man who brings joy to my heart. I just pray Nany does not abandon him now that the game is solo.

Nany: She better stick to Turbo because he has carried their team this season. Nany must politic because she is not a dominant physical competitor. I bet she’ll see at least one elimination before the final.

Bear: He should be terrified. It is a solo game where Wes and Hunter will be gunning for him, not to mention he’s not in Paulie or Turbo’s good graces either. Bear needs to wint to make the final.

DaVonne: She is no longer burdened with the anchor named Bear. However, she must now compete in a game where most of the other remaining female competitors probably outrank her.