The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies Veteran previews:Cory Wharton

Cory Wharton

Original Show: The Real World Ex-Plosion

Best Placement: 2nd (Battle of the Bloodlines & Double Agents)

Average Finish: 7.63

Elimination Record: 7–3

Most Memorable Moment: Nelson going in for him on Total Madness.

Cory and Nelson’s friendship has been a storyline that has followed them throughout the seasons. Another main theme in recent seasons for Cory has been how he has matured and how he is doing it for his kids. Having those two stories come together with Nelson going in to the last elimination round for Cory so that Cory could have the better chance for his kids was a great moment showing the strength of their friendship.

Best Season: Double Agents

Cory had a very strong season on Double Agents politically maneuvering his way through the game while losing partner after partner. He then beat a Challenge icon Darrell decisively in an elimination stealing one of the best partners in Kam. They went on to win the final daily challenge and finished a strong second place in a tough final.

Worst Season: Vendettas

Cory had a pretty cold streak during the streak of seasons from XXX:Dirty Thirty to Final Wreckoning where he was not particularly successful in any of those seasons going out early or in the case of Final Wreckoning quickly after entering the game as a mercenary. Of those seasons the one that he performed the weakest in was Vendettas. Cory did pretty well in the initial purge but was then a huge target getting thrown into the first elimination round against his number one Nelson and losing in an embarrassing elimination for both of them where neither of them looked like they had ever kicked a ball in their lives.

Allies: Nelson, Tori, Aneesa, Fessy (probably), Amanda (maybe), Ashley(maybe)

Cory has really built a solid group of friends in the current Challenge houses. He has his number one in Nelson and I would be floored if they are not working together again this season. Tori and he were initial partners last season and they get along well I except they will try to work together again. Aneesa and Cory have a bit of a bizarre relationship, he has referred to her as like an aunt but they also hooked up way back on Bloodlines they were in an alliance last season at least in the early game I assume they will be working together. Fessy betrayed Nelson last season and Cory was really mad about that they got into a fight and eventually moved past it and worked together throughout the rest of the season but I could see Nelson potentially want revenge on Fessy and Cory take his side. In the reunion for Double Agents Cory (& Nelson) apologized for going against their friend Ashley two seasons in a row so I could see Cory work with Ashley & Amanda this season.

Enemies: Devin(maybe), Kyle(maybe), Fessy (doubtfully), Tommy/Michelle/Michaela (maybe)

Cory comes into this season with a few potential enemies but none of them seem to be definite. He talked about working with Devin & Kyle on Double Agents but ultimately never took their side. As I mentioned in allies Fessy and Cory worked together throughout last season however Fessy betrayed Cory’s number one ally Nelson. Finally, Cory was very vocal about not trusting Survivor players so he could look to target them or if the new rookies from Survivor heard about that they may look to target Cory.

Cory has been on a resurgence the last few seasons making the final in both Total Madness and Double Agents. He is one of the top physical competitors and has a lot of friends in the Challenge house. Cory’s biggest weakness is that he is poor at mental tasks like puzzles. He is good but not elite at endurance so in order for him to get a win Cory needs to have people like CT get out before the final. He has the heart to win and physically can so if he gets a complementary partner Cory is one of the favorites for me going into this season of The Challenge.