'The Challenge Total Madness' Winner: 4 Cast Members Eligible For Final Before Episode 8

Season 35 of MTV’s “The Challenge” is unlike any other in the show’s history. Cast members are usually motivated to stay out of the elimination round before the Final, but that has completely changed in “Total Madness.”

The rules for ”The Challenge: Total Madness” actually incentivize contestants to compete in elimination. Without a victory in Purgatory—where eliminations take place—players aren’t able to run the Final and vie for their share of the $1 million grand prize.

The winner of each elimination round earns a red skull, allowing them to remain in the game and eventually participate in the Final. Through seven episodes, four cast members own a skull.

Jenna Compono is the latest player to get a skull. She defeated Tori Deal, arguably the best female competitor on the entire show, in a very close elimination round. Tori was voted into Purgatory by the house because she wanted to compete and win a skull.

The strategy of volunteering to go into elimination has had mixed success.

Rookie Jay Starrett won two elimination rounds, first defeating Asaf Goren and then pulling off the biggest upset of the season by eliminating Chris “CT” Tamburello. CT threw himself into Purgatory as part of the tribunal in an attempt to win a skull.

Jay eventually left the game with two skulls. He was eliminated by Rogan O’Connor, who asked for the chance to face off with Jay.

Through seven episodes, Rogan is the only remaining male contestant that has a skull. Dee Nguyen and Jenny West also have skulls following elimination victories.

Jenny made quick work of rookie Jenn Lee. Dee became the second female to earn a skull when she eliminated Ashley Mitchell.

The four cast members with skulls are still eligible to be voted into Purgatory and eliminated before the Final. They are all relatively strong competitors and are likely safe for the time being.

“The Challenge: Total Madness” episode 8 airs Wednesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. EDT on MTV.