MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet III

The next installment of the Real World/Road Rules Challenges beginson Weds. Jan. 23rd at 10/9C with the Gauntlet III. This time the cast heads to Puerto Vallarte Mexico for another round of physical challenges as presented by host, BMX biker TJ Lavin.

This Challenge will be formatted like the Gauntlet II with 2 teams, 16 Rookies vs. 16 Veterans. The winning team will split $300,000 while the losing finalists will go home with nothing!

This season the teams will not have a team captains. Which ever team wins a mission gets to pick someone of the sex, either male or female depending of the Gauntlet day, from the other team, that loses the day of the mission. They pick two people, a person who wont be safe from going in the Gauntlet and another person who is safe from competing in the Gauntlet that night. The losing team then votes someone from their own team who they want to compete against the chosen person by the winning team. Next the two teammates then battle it out in the gauntlet. Each person from either team can be only saved once.

Let's meet the cast:

Those who have been on at least 2 Challenges

Despite being slapped, ridiculed, having all of her clothes thrown in a swimming pool, and pushing 40, Beth is always up for coming back for another round of the Challenge!

CT was kicked off his last Challenge before even competing in a challenge on The Inferno III after a drunken night leads to CT sucker punch Davis from the Real World Denver. On the Fresh Meat Challenge, an unlikely romanced sprang between CT and sweet Diem. We'll see where their romance stands now as Diem is also a member of the Vets.

Paula proved to be a fierce competitor in the Inferno 3. With her lack of alliances, she was repeatedly put into the Inferno and repeatedly proved her strength. Fresh out of a relationship, Paula is single and ready to mingle.

Evan has great athleticism and great alliances in friend Kenny and Fresh Meat partner Coral. Coral and Evan were eliminated from their latest Challenge when show producers and medics deemed them both too injured to continue participating.

I consider Coral "The Boss" of challenges. There are very few that she hasn't participated in and when she does, she runs the show.

Always coming in a runner-up, Brad is back to seek a challenge win. He's also single this challenge!

Hot tempered Ev is back again. Always regarded as a top female competitor, rumor has it that Ev will be distracted by a love interest with Rookie Brooke from The Real World Denver.

Kenny's back after winning the grand prize on the Inferno 3. This pretty boy has shown everyone that not only is he a beautiful man, but he is also a force to be reckoned with.

Party girl Robin is back. Her drinking led to some racial tension between cast made Aneesa on The Duel. Let's see if Robin can keep it under control this Challenge.

Hot headed Danny returns and this time he has fiance Melinda in tow again. But, Melinda is part of the Rookies team!

After her Duel win with partner Wes, Casey and her new boobs are back. I hear rumors that some hooking up might be taking place this season for Miss Casey.

After going home first on The Duel, "Johnny Bananas" wants to prove that he's a worthy competitor for the Gauntlet III.

Always known as a trouble maker, Katie has been more subdued as of late. Will the Gauntlet III bring back Katie's feisty side?

Size is on Eric's side. He has sheer strength that no one can deny. Previews show that Eric might be involved in some sort of medical emergency when they show him laying the sand and gasping for breath!

Having beaten cancer, The Challenges come as old hat to Diem. The true test of Diem's chances for winning will be if she can keep her bad boy boyfriend, CT, out of trouble.

Adam is often thought of as a weaker player because of his size, so he'll have to use head if he wants to stay in this game for long.

Less than 2 Challenges under their belt.

Almost the entire cast of The Real World Austin is on the Rookie Squad, with the exception of Danny. Johanna's boyfriend Wes already took home the grand prize on The Duel. Let's see if Johanna can bring anything home to him.

Like most who are new to the challenge, Tyrie was targeted and eliminated early in the Inferno 3. With his size and presence Tyrie is looking to do better now that he is not a first-timer.

Another cast member from Austin, Rachel might be able to work alliances in her favor this time around. Her dramatic exit from the Inferno 3 after losing to Denver's Jen was definitely over the top. With her military background, everyone thought Rachel would go farther. Maybe this time around she'll have better luck.

The Gauntlet 3 is Zack's first Challenge, so he'll likely be an early target. Hopefully Zack can use his 4 other Key West cast mates to his advantage.

Brooke once bawled her eyes out because her date wanted to take her bowling! Will she have what it takes to compete in the Challenge? Or will she just be distracted by Veteran Evelyn?

This is Alex's first Challenge. Though he's a Division I athlete, his partying and attitude will likely take away from his image as a competitor.

Jillian hasn't been on a Challenge since The Guantlet 2, so many might not remember her. She's a trained athlete and might be a force to be reckoned with.

Fresh from Road Rules' latest season, this is Derek's first Challenge. He will likely be a target on the Rookie Squad, even with his large frame.

Angel just stepped off the RV with Derek and is ready for her first Challenge. She's not afraid of conflict as shown by her brawl with Kina on Road Rules 2007.

This is Tyler's sophomore Challenge. He chose to go against cast mate Johnny in the Duel, so we'll see if there's any bitterness between these two room mates.

Janelle walked away from her first challenge, the Inferno 3, with a cool $40,000, an outstanding feat for a first-timer. Janelle proved herself. She is also rumored to be dating a cast member from the upcoming season of the The Real World Hollywood. Let's see if she makes mention of a boyfriend!

By far the oldest rookie, Frank was recently seen hooking up and drinking it up on Reunited: The Real World Las Vegas.

Miss Virginia 2007, Tori, is certainly in swimsuit shape. She's a "good girl" who likes to flirt, but she's also a competitor who took home the prize on Viewer's Revenge.

This is Nehemiah's second Challenge. Who could forget his weird hook up on the Inferno III with Beth who called Nehemiah her "Tenderoni."

This might as well be Ryan's first Challenge as he was sent home almost immediately from the Fresh Meat Challenge. That's what happens when you're partnered with a fresh face like Melinda from Austin.

Melinda's here with most of her cast mates, but particularly her fiance Danny. Will there be any conflict since he's playing for the Veterans team?