Tyson Apostol's physical strength and big personality would make him a perfect candidate to join MTV's The Challenge for a future season. Tyson's reality TV career began in 2009, with his appearance on Survivor season 18. For a total of 4 installments, Tyson competed on the show, and ultimately won Survivor season 27, cementing his place as a capable contestant with a wide array of skills. Tyson then went on to compete on The Challenge USA, and dominated until the final, when he and nearly every other finalist tapped out before crossing the finish line.
Not only would Tyson's physical strength make him a strong addition to the cast of MTV's The Challenge, but being on the show would also allow Tyson a second chance at redemption, after The Challenge USA's disappointing finale. Tyson joined Challenge legend Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio on his podcast Death, Taxes, and Bananas to discuss the controversial finale, and when asked if he would return to an iteration of The Challenge, Tyson replied, "I mean, never say never, but I've got a lot going on...there has to be some fulfillment, some emotional reward."
Tyson Would Fit In Among The Intimidating Cast Of The Challenge
For almost the entirety of The Challenge USA, Tyson maintained his position as one of the strongest competitors, by winning multiple daily challenges, and holding power for several weeks. With a background in swimming, cycling, and pickleball, Tyson has experience with difficult physical challenges and endurance. The Challenge USA was different in many ways from the MTV format of the show, with one of those differences being less daunting physical tasks overall, according to fans. Tyson would have the opportunity to show off even more of his physical strengths on the original show.
After a controversial finale on The Challenge USA, Tyson would get a shot at redemption on MTV's The Challenge. Tyson and several other contestants tapped out of the final after failing to complete a Sudoku puzzle in freezing conditions. Several alleged production errors and oversights led to Challengers feeling like they weren't given a fair chance at winning. Unlike MTV's version of daily and final challenges, CBS production did not give contestants specific instructions on how to complete each puzzle, which tripped Tyson up during the final Sudoku puzzle. Finalist Desi Williams felt like she "got screwed" by the format of the finale, and several other Challengers feel the same.
The Sudoku puzzle ended up costing Tyson, and several other finalists, the chance at crossing the finish line due to the lack of provided rules. On Death, Taxes, and Bananas, Tyson said, "There was a moment in Sudoku where I was like, I should just run all the way back down the mountain...I just don't know how to do Sudoku." The production team on MTV's version of The Challenge hasn't received the same allegations of unfairness, and Tyson would likely be given a fairer chance to win the overall title, thanks to accurate and consistent rules provided along the way.
As fans watched each new episode of The Challenge USA, many thought for sure that Tyson was a huge threat to win. It was shocking to watch several contestants drop out of the finale after making it that far, Tyson especially. However, the circumstances are understandable, considering the lack of clarity from production. If given the opportunity to join MTV's The Challenge, Tyson would thrive by utilizing his physical strength on a fair and even playing ground. Fans would also likely be thrilled to see Tyson returning to their screens for another chance at the title.
Source: Death, Taxes, and Bananas Podcast/Apple Podcasts