The Challenge: 14 OG Contestants We Want To Make A Comeback

After 22 years of grueling competitions, extreme stunts and (of course!) drunken fights and hookups, MTV's The Challenge has more than proved its staying power. Its recently wrapped Total Madness became the show's highest-rated season in eight years, earning it a Season 36 renewal and cementing its spot on the network's roster. To borrow from the series' host, TJ Lavin: They really killed it.

While we've enjoyed The Challenge's evolution throughout the years, we're clamoring for more OG players to return to the mix. How would a Mark Long or a Coral Smith fare against the Young Bucks and rookies who are all vying for that big money? We'd love to find out.

Before we get to our dream contestants, a few brief rules:

1) All of our selections had to have been off the show for longer than three years. This means we looked at casts from Rivals III and earlier. Since some favorites like Veronica Portillo, Darrell Taylor and Derrick Kosinski appeared more recently, they weren't eligible to make the cut here.

2) We tried to keep picks within the realm of believability. We highly doubt Mike "The Miz" Mizanin is going to sacrifice time from his lucrative WWE career to make a Challenge comeback. This also includes contestants who have been banned from the show — the Challenge Gods have spoken!

3) Lastly, none of our picks' win counts include any of the spinoff shows, like Champs vs. Pros or the Spring Break Challenge, nor did we count a spinoff appearance as a series return.

Check out our 14 selections below, then drop some comments and tell us your dream OG returnees!

Original Show: The Real World: Back to New York

Number of Challenges: 6

Won: 1

Last Appearance: The Gauntlet III (2008)

Before Bravo and social media turned reality TV upside down, there was... Coral Smith. Known for always telling it like it is ("I don't wrestle, I f–king beat bitches up!"), Coral's social and political game carried her to four finals. Her strong performances in competitions kept her safe; in her entire Challenge career, she only saw the elimination floor twice, and she survived both times. A quick-quipping cast member armed with never-ending one-liners, Coral was smart, athletic and never shied away from drama. She is a true franchise veteran and reality TV gold.

Original Show: The Real World: Philadelphia

Number of Challenges: 4

Won: 3

Last Appearance: Fresh Meat II (2010)

Known for his physical prowess and clean, drama-free gaming, Landon was a straight shooter who will forever be known as one of the toughest competitors that no one wants to face in an elimination. Out of a total of six elimination battles, he's only been taken out once (by Brad Fiorenza in The Duel II). Every other season he played in, he took home the money. While his career on the show may be a bit shorter than some of his contemporaries, he's often cited by other OGs as being one of the best Challenge competitors of all time. There's no question that if Landon ever showed up again, he'd be a force to be reckoned with.

Original Show: Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat

Number of Challenges: 7

Won: 3

Last Appearance: Rivals (2011)

She may be small, but Evelyn Smith was scrappy as hell. Though she sometimes came up short on the social side of things, she was a physically fierce competitor with a feisty temperament who intimidated all of the ladies around her. After learning from early mistakes, Ev wasn't afraid to make deals with the devil (Johnny Bananas) in order to get a leg up on her competition. Navigating shady deals and wavering alliances led her to three victories and a spot in the (very unofficial) Challenge Hall of Fame. She left the series on a high note, pulling out her final win with teammate Paula Meronek on Rivals.

Original Show: The Real World: Las Vegas (2002)

Number of Challenges: 4

Won: 1

Last Appearance: Battle of the Seasons (2012)

With a 5-1 elimination record and three finals under his belt, Alton is never one to underestimate. Best known for being a part of one of The Real World's most scandalous seasons ever, he's one of The Challenge's biggest physical threats, who never met a competition he couldn't overcome... until his defeat in Battle of the Seasons alongside teammate Nany. Alton's return would surely reshuffle the deck and throw voting strategies into absolute chaos. In our future dream cast list, he's a lock, for sure.

Original Show: Road Rules: Campus Crawl

Number of Challenges: 7

Won: 2

Last Appearance: Battle of the Exes (2012)

Two-time winner Rachel is one of most competitive female challengers in the show's history. She kept her friends close and her enemies closer, leaning in to the drama with gal pals Veronica and Tina, and even jumping into hot tubs for some... uh, extracurricular fun. Although social politics were never her strong suit (she had early exits on both Battle of the Sexes 1 and 2, in addition to The Island), she skated to the final on other seasons after her fellow castmates saw what she was capable of. She's exactly what we want in a challenger: a fit athlete with a fire for competition who isn't afraid to partake in a beef or two.

Original Show: Road Rules: South Pacific

Number of Challenges: 9

Won: 2

Last Appearance: Battle of the Bloodlines (2015-2016)

Every great season of The Challenge needs a wild card, and Abram Boise is the man for the job. Abe brings intensity to everything he does, from daily competitions to on-screen romances and fist fights. He was kicked off of two Road Rules seasons for fighting, and that raging temper and overzealous nature followed him throughout his Challenge career. He's mentally and physically strong, and doesn't care about stepping on toes or pissing everyone off. He's a lone wolf who doesn't always play well with others, which along with his passionate persona makes him a grade-A reality star.

Original Show: Road Rules: Down Under

Number of Challenges: 4

Won: 2

Last Appearance: The Ruins (2009)

Susie may look like a blonde barbie, but she's one of the show's smartest and most well-rounded players. Thanks to her shrewd decisions and strategies, she made it to the end of every single Challenge she competed on, winning both The Gauntlet II and The Ruins in the process. She also has zero problem calling out BS and toxic masculinity wherever she sees it. Oh, and her elimination record: undefeated. Susie Meister is not one to underestimate.

Original Show: Road Rules Season 1

Number of Challenges: 6

Won: 2

Last Appearance: Battle of the Exes (2012)

If veteran players like Bananas, CT and Wes can still compete on The Challenge, then Mark Long should be there, too! You don't get any more "OG" than Mark. Not only was he on the very first Road Rules adventure (and almost landed a spot in The Real World: San Francisco house), but he played on some of the franchise's earliest seasons, back when it was still called The Real World/Road Rules Challenge. He was a finalist on four of his six shows, giving highly entertaining commentary on all the in-house madness. Plus, he only saw one elimination his entire run, which is pretty damn impressive. Mark absolutely deserves a victory lap in an upcoming season.

Original Show: The Real World: Brooklyn

Number of Challenges: 9

Won: 2

Last Appearance: Rivals III (2016)

If superlatives were ever awarded to Challenge contestants, Sarah would no doubt be in the running for Most Improved. Though she was a kind-hearted player swimming in a sea of sharks, Sarah quickly learned what it took to win. She controversially voted Bananas and Nany into elimination in Battle of the Exes 2, clearing her and Jordan's path to victory. She then went on to win Rivals III with Bananas, only to have him steal all of her money in the end. Despite that unfortunate twist, Sarah was a steady performer with a heart of gold and an admirable love of competition. We'd love to have her grace our screens again in the future.

Original Show: The Real World: Portland

Number of Challenges: 1

Won: 0

Last Appearance: Rivals II (2013)

Marlon may have only played one season, but he made the final and fought his way to a third place finish. Not bad for a rookie. He recently starred on Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love, so he's very much still in the MTV mix. Compared to some of the other picks on this list, Marlon is probably one of the most realistic choices for an upcoming season. If he can land a spot on The Challenge 36, we'd love to see what else he's capable of. (Plus, have you seen the guy lately? Dude is cut.)

Original Show: The Real World: Washington D.C.

Number of Challenges: 3

Won: 1

Last Appearance: Rivals II (2013)

Fierce competitor, seasoned athlete, CrossFit queen. Emily Schromm was born to compete. Not only is she a challenge beast, but she can probably squat more weight than most of the guys on the cast. She's got heart and stamina, and is yet another challenger with an undefeated elimination record. If she's not weighed down by a less-than-stellar partner (lookin' at you, Ty!), there's no limit to what this powerhouse can achieve. If we want to see the best of the best battle it out, Emily's name has to be at the top of the list.

Original Show: Road Rules: The Second Adventure

Number of Challenges: 4

Won: 1

Last Appearance: The Inferno III (2007)

Like Mark Long, Timmy is a true OG and Road Rules legend. He's a three-time Challenge finalist who not only holds his own in competition, but also provides plenty of comedic relief, too. A long-time fan favorite, the All-American Good Guy gave everything he had in his last elimination on The Inferno III, slicing himself up head-to-toe while trying to smash out of a glass cube. When one of the panes didn't break, he was disqualified and eliminated in a heartbreaking call by the refs. Could Timmy hack the high-octane pressure of the series' newer seasons? Who knows? But we'd love to see him try.

Original Show: Road Rules: South Pacific

Number of Challenges: 5

Won: 0

Last Appearance: The Duel (2006-2007)

Who better to stir the pot than Tina Barta? Last seen getting kicked off The Duel for decking Beth Stolarczyk, Tina was loud, abrasive and not too friendly to those outside her mean girl clique. Despite her drama (which don't get us wrong, she was amazing TV!), this two-time finalist backed up her bark with some solid bite, competing well in challenges and placing second in the Fresh Meat season with her partner Kenny. If ever an OG season did occur, Tina is very high on our must list.

Original Show: The Real World: New York

Number of Challenges: 3

Won: 2

Last Appearance: Battle of the Sexes 2 (2004-2005)

Eric had a lengthy relationship with MTV, stemming all the back to The Real World's first season in 1992. The former host of MTV's The Grind appeared on the very first season of The Challenge (then dubbed Road Rules: All Stars) before fighting his way to victory on Battle of the Sexes 2. Not only would it be interesting to check in with a guy whose life exploded after the dawning of reality TV, but it'd be quite a watch to see him go toe-to-toe with the Young Bucks. Could he lock up a third win?