‘The Challenge’s’ Cory Wharton on elimination and his rivalry with Josh: ‘Everything he says is bulls—!’
Cory Wharton‘s string of elimination wins on “The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras” ended at three when he was finally taken out Wednesday night by Derek Chavez. The two battled it out in the arena after Derek lost the Daily Challenge and Cory was sent into the sand by default — he was the only target available since Jordan Wiseley won this week and Derek lost. The two built a puzzle made of cinder blocks in “Closing Time,” and Derek was able to finish first. Watch Cory’s exit interview with Gold Derby above.
“I avoided puzzles for as long as I could,” Cory tells Gold Derby. “It was only a matter of time. That time was the fourth elimination of the season. Derek had a better strategy going into it than I did, and he executed his strategy better. You win some, you lose some, and I lost that one.”
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The Era 3 veteran managed to avoid drama for the most part, but he still ended up butting heads with Josh Martinez. “I’m not with the whole, ‘I got you, I’m lookin’ out for you,’ and then any chance you get, you don’t do that. Then you want to say in the episode, ‘Yeah bro, you’re like family.’ Well treat me like family then! Everything he says is bulls—! It’s evident. Even when he had the karma vote, he ended up giving me one karma vote. He wants me to be cool with him in person, but then behind my back he does a little bit of shady stuff.”
Cory says the social aspect of the game was difficult this season because many of the Challengers have close friendships in the outside world. “With me being a dad and living in L.A., I spend all my time trying to do stuff for my kids,” he explains. “It’s very hard for me to go to Florida and hang out with people outside of the show. I talk to people on Instagram, but it’s hard for me to see them.”
The Challenger also gives us an update on his good friend Nelson Thomas, who recently had his foot amputated following a serious car accident caused by driving while intoxicated. “That man has been through it,” he reveals. “I’m just happy for him. Everyone makes mistakes. I don’t think he’s shying away from that. He’s paying the ultimate price for it. We’re thankful it’s only him and nobody else, but at the end of the day, he’s turning that page and trying to become better. He’s working his butt off and I hope ‘The Challenge’ gives him that chance to come back.”
When asked who he would like to see win this epic season, Cory is quick respond with Kyland Young. “He was up and coming and no one takes the game as serious as Kyland. He deserves it. Jordan has won a whole bunch. Johnny has seven championships, he’s got to let somebody else win. I like to see new winners, so I would say Kyland or Derek.”
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