Is Louise Genius Or Naïve For Striking A Deal With The Champs?

Need proof that veterans have an advantage on The Challenge? Look no further than Louise Hazel, the very first returning Champs vs. Stars pro athlete, who proved on tonight’s Season 3 premiere that experience — even just one season — can make all of the difference.


Returning host Mike “The Miz” Mizanin wasted no time difficult the latest crop of competitors — which included new Champs like Kam, Devin and Shane and new Stars like Lil Mama, Brooke Hogan and NFL star Arian Foster — to their very first mission. In “Stair Down,” which was performed in two heats, players had to individually ascend a staggered structure. The catch? They’d be lubed up to create things especially slippery, and several of these took tumbles before eventually reaching the summit.


By the time the chaos was over, Tony was named the ultimate winner, while CT took second place. And The Miz told both Champs players that they’d earned more than bragging rights — for the very first time on Champs vs. Stars, the lines were going to blur, and CT and Tony were going to each serve as team captains for two ensembles that’d each include Champs and Stars players.


And players were stunned.


“We’re so much better than them, though — it’s not fair!” Ashley shouted incredulously.


For the most part, The Stars assumed their new teams would dictate new loyalties and alliances. Although Louise, the only returning Star, was already thinking two steps ahead, and knew that even if The Champs were divided among two teams, they were still going to work with each other to eliminate The Stars.


And she wanted to be a segment of that strategy.


“I’m hoping I just be on Tony’s team — not because of Tony, although because of Wes,” Louise mentioned, adding that she and Wes — two consummate tacticians — had forged a friendship since filming the show’s first season with each other. “Wes is aware what a strategist I am…And I’m not gonna lie, having Wes in my back pocket feels sort of good.”


And Louise’s suspicions proved to be correct — Wes rapidly admitted that The Champs were planning to musical group with each other. Still, because Louise was such an asset, he instructed her he’d strive to keep her around, even if it meant sacrificing one of the Champs’ girls.


“The Champs are going to pick up the Stars one at a time,” he mentioned. “The lines might be blurred, although it’s still Champs versus The Stars.”


Still, Louise felt placated by the deal.


“Even though I’m a Star, and Wes is a champ, it’s a risk I’m prepared to take,” she said.


However is it educated for Louise to trust Wes? Immediately considering that, The Champs managed to send two of the strongest Stars — Casper Smart and Arian — into the very first elimination round, in which Arian was knocked out to incredulity from the crowd. Is it possible Louise will eventually be on the chopping block too?


What do you know — was it smart for Louise to hop aboard the Champs train, and may it be her straight shot to the finals? Or, should she have stuck with the Stars, and will she ultimately be on their sinking ship, also? Share your thoughts, and visualize how her game progresses next Tuesday!