Nurys Mateo and Paulie Calafiore’s Rivalries and Concussions on ‘The Challenge 40’

The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras has arrived! Throughout the season, we’ll hear from the challengers eliminated from this milestone season of the MTV series.

Though they never overlapped in terms of seasons, Nurys Mateo and Paulie Calafiore are strikingly similar. Both are outspoken and unafraid to stir up conflict or rivalries. They entered The Challenge 40 with trepidation, given the outcomes of their last seasons. Both came coupled with fellow cast members—Nurys with Horacio Gutiérrez and Paulie with Cara Maria Sorbello. Interestingly, they both faced elimination immediately and squared off in a "Hall Brawl" against their fiercest rivals. Paulie reignited his feud with Theo Campbell from War of the Worlds 2, while Nurys dealt with recent betrayal from Olivia Kaiser on Battle for a New Champion. Both were surprisingly eliminated early.

Following their eliminations, Nurys and Paulie discussed facing their rivals, playing the game as a couple, and some surprising injuries from their "Hall Brawl" experience.

Nurys shared her hesitations about joining Season 40. After a tough experience in Season 39 and dealing with personal battles while her partner Horacio was away, she felt mentally drained. Yet, the honor of being invited for the iconic Season 40 was too compelling to turn down. Horacio’s encouragement to participate was the final push she needed.

Despite her strong performance in Season 39, Nurys felt nervous going into Season 40. Not many of the contestants watched her last season, but her reputation still preceded her, putting a target on her back. Additionally, her reserved nature and reluctance to engage socially with others in the house drew negative attention and further isolated her and Horacio.

Paulie related to Nurys’s isolation, sharing his own experiences of criticism over his relationship with Cara Maria. The couple’s focus on one another often drew unnecessary scrutiny from others.

Paulie also reflected on his brief return to The Challenge in USA Season 2 and how his experiences shaped his expectations for this season. Despite aiming for a win, the twists and turns of the game left him facing unexpected challenges. Paulie acknowledged his role in escalating conflicts but maintained his combative nature when provoked.

Paulie and Theo’s longstanding rivalry reignited in The Challenge 40, with Paulie vowing to come after Theo in future seasons. Despite losing to Theo in the latest "Hall Brawl," Paulie embraced the competition and promised relentless pursuit in seasons to come.

Nurys found the ongoing tension between her and Olivia to be another layer of her game. Although they had made peace before their elimination, choosing Olivia for the "Hall Brawl" was strategic. Nurys believed Olivia was her best option for a physical challenge and aimed to even the score from their previous encounters.

The intensity of Paulie and Theo’s "Hall Brawl" left an impression on both Nurys and Olivia, who were visibly nervous and emotional before their matchup. Their mutual fear of getting hurt overshadowed any lingering rivalry.

Reflecting on injuries, Paulie revealed he suffered two concussions during his elimination, requiring extended recovery time in Vietnam. Nurys expressed pride in her alliance with Cara Maria and wished the show had highlighted their bond more.

Ultimately, both challengers left Season 40 supportive of each other and their respective partners. They expressed disappointment in leaving early but remained optimistic about future opportunities.

Source: Parade.com