‘The Challenge: Total Madness’ Episode 1 Sees Johnny Bananas, Wes Bergmann Join Forces [RECAP]

The two biggest rivals in “Challenge” history have joined forces, at least for the time being. Instead of leading separate alliances, Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio and Wes Bergmann plan to work together on Season 35 of MTV’s reality-TV series.

“The Challenge: Total Madness” premiered Wednesday night with 28 contestants vying for their share of $1 million. A 90-minute episode set the stage for what host T.J. Lavin called “the most dangerous season” in the show’s history.

A partnership between Bananas and Wes might have been the biggest storyline introduced in Episode 1. After years of trying to eliminate each other, the “Challenge” legends are now working together.

“Everybody just knows if Wes and I are on the same season, it’s gonna be a battle,” Bananas said in the “Total Madness” season premiere. “We’ve realized that it’s not beneficial to either one of us to go against each other.”

“Whether I like it or not, Bananas has been tattooed into my life. And it’s something that I’ll never be able to get rid of,” Wes said. “We are sick and tired of people that are less athletic, less intelligent, riding our coattails because of some feud that we have.”

Bananas is the most decorated “Challenge” contestant in history, winning six championships in 19 seasons. Wes has won two titles, and he holds the men’s record with 14 elimination victories.

The rivalry hasn’t benefited either contestant recently.

Two seasons ago on “War of the Worlds,” Wes helped orchestrate Bananas’ early elimination. Wes didn’t make it past Episode 3 on “War of the Worlds 2,” and Bananas was gone two episodes later.

“Why not try the one thing we’ve never done? And that is join forces,” Bananas said during Wednesday’s episode. “We run this game. This is our show.”

“It’s scary for the rest of the house, because if this works, what we’re able to do together is just not fair,” Wes added.

Here are a few other important notes from “The Challenge: Total Madness” Episode 1.

• Rogan O’Connor won the men’s weekly challenge. Jenny West was the women’s winner. They automatically earned a spot in the Tribunal and picked Cory Wharton to be the third member.
• The cast won’t live in a typical “Challenge” mansion. Their home is an underground bunker, though it does feature a large room with a gym, pool and dining area.
• Every contestant was forced to cast a vote to throw someone into elimination. Asaf Goren (“Big Brother Israel,” “So You Think You Can Dance”) received the most votes. Jay Starrett (“Survivor,” “Ex On The Beach”) received the second-most votes.
• Jay, Wes and Kyle Christie were picked to meet with the Tribunal. The Tribunal unanimously chose Jay to face Asaf in Purgatory, the elimination round.
• Jay defeated Asaf in a battle of rookies. Asaf was sent home. Jay received a red skull for winning an elimination round. Lavin announced that no contestant can reach the Final without picking up a victory in Purgatory.

“The Challenge: Total Madness” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on MTV.