Survivor: Winners at War is just around the corner and will be debuting 20 previous winners. The past Survivor winners date back as far as season 2 and there is a lot of Survivor history for fans to brush up on. The question on everyone's mind is who is coming back?
Back again are some of the most popular Survivor to ever play the game, let alone win. The villains that fans love to hate and the cheer for are back to go head to head with the heroes viewers have been missing. The players are a well-rounded group including some who won by physical strength, others by alliances, some by likeability and some by just being ruthless. With a variety of ages and experience, this game is sure to be even more unpredictable and entertaining than any other season.
How much will their strategic history predict the winner? In the first part of this series, we introduced fans to the 10 women returning this season. Here are the 10 men who have returned to try for the title of Sole Survivor:
Ethan Zohn
(3) Survivor: Africa, (8) Survivor: All-Stars
Ethan made a solid alliance that in season 3 that helped him get to the end, but it was his personality that won the game for him. To date, he remains one of the most well-liked castaways. This didn't help him much in All-Stars, but rather gave him a target on his back from day one. However, he is looking to repeat the feat he did manage which was to be the last previous winner standing.
"Boston" Rob Mariano
(4) Survivor: Marquesas, (8) Survivor: All-Stars, (20) Survivor: Heroes vs Villains, (22) Survivor: Redemption Island, (39) Survivor: Island of the Idols
While he only appeared as a mentor on last season, "Boston" Rob has appeared on a record-breaking 5 total seasons of the show, soon to be 6. He is the most well known of the Survivor players and has definitely earned his legend status in the game. In addition to being the most villain fan love, he met his wife and graciously lost to her in the final 2 on All-Stars. He finally got his win on the aptly titled Redemption Island season.
Yul Kwon
(13) Survivor: Cook Islands
Yul was a great well-rounded player with a solid physical, strategic and social game. This helped him prevail and win the title of sole Survivor on his one and only season. That was 27 seasons ago and fans can't wait for his return.
Tyson Apostol
(18) Survivor: Tocantins, (20) Survivor: Heroes and Villains, (27) Survivor: Blood vs Water
A physical threat from day one, it wasn't until his 3rd appearance that his strategy game caught up and that earned him first win with Survivor: Blood vs Water. This Survivor villain started that season with long time girlfriend, now wife, Rachel Fougler . Despite her being voted off fairly early, he managed to go on to be one of the few winners who survived even a rock draw to get there.
Tony Vlachos
(28) Survivor: Cagayan, (34) Survivor: Game Changers
The Jersey City cop played fast and loose which made for an amazing season. Just when fans were sure he was gone, he'd rally and end up back on top. While his gameplay did have many victims, in the end, he still managed to win Survivor: Cagayan with an impressive 8 out of 9 jury votes. This game style didn't work so well in Game Changers where he was voted out second after butting heads with another returning champ, Sandra.
Jeremy Collins
(29) Survivor: San Juan del Sur, (31) Survivor: Cambodia
Jeremy was both a strategic and physical player from day one but it was the view of him as a physical threat that got him voted out in his first season. Voted back for a second chances themed season in Survivor: Cambodia he managed to use the strategic prowess to best a cast of previous players and not only make it further but to win the sole Survivor title with a rare unanimous vote.
Adam Klein
(33) Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X
Adam's strategic game got him out of some sticky situations and let him to a unanimous jury vote win. However, his personal journey to be on the show is a heartbreaking one most Survivor fans remember well. Planning to be on an earlier season with his mother, which was not possible when she was diagnosed with cancer. He came back solo for season 33 and was told during the family visit by his brother that she was not doing well, but wanted him to continue. After his win he rushed to be by her side and she passed away just hours after.
Ben Driebergen
(35) Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers
Ben didn't have the strongest social game and might not always have been the favorite of his cast members. However, in the end, it was their respect for the fact that he found and played 3 idols and won a fire-making challenge to get there against all odds, that got him the votes he needed to win it all.
Wendell Holland
(36) Survivor: Ghost Island
As a more recent winner, many fans will remember Wendell. He earned his final 3 spot making fire and barely squeaked out a win over teammate and game ally Domenick Abbate thanks to his more relaxed demeanor. It will be interesting to see when faced with an entire cast of previous winners if Wendell is able to continue his laid back approach.
Nick Wilson
(37) Survivor: David vs. Goliath
Fans of the show will likely remember that a key component to Nick's win was luck. It was looking like he would be the first to go when a medical evacuation of another player saved him from that vote. However, Nick turned it around and was able to utilize a strategic and social game to come back and win the season. An appropriate winners story in a season called David vs Goliath.
Survivor premieres tonight Wednesday, February 12th at 8 pm EST on CBS.