The Challenge Champ Claims This ‘Villain’ Is ‘Carrying’ All Stars 5

According to Zach Nichols, a former champion of “The Challenge,” there is a group of guys “carrying” season 5 of “All Stars,” including a self-proclaimed villain. 

Frank Sweeney, Adam Larson, and Steve Meinke Are ‘Carrying’ ‘All-Stars 5’

On his hit podcast, which bears his own name, Nichols spoke highly of his former “Real World” roommate Frank Sweeney, whom he also happened to win “Battle of the Seasons” alongside. 

“Love Frank. Frank is carrying- Well, let’s be honest, it’s multiple people. Adam [Larson], Steve [Meinke], Frank. Trying to think. No, that’s pretty much it. [They’re] pretty much carrying this season,” Zach said.

“100 percent,” Nichol’s co-host Pierre Bacall said, adding, “Frank is the star of “All Stars 5,” and I’m here for it.”

Sweeney, who dubbed himself the “villain” of the season in a recent Instagram post, has had to rely on his political game after being paired with another one of their former roommates, Sam McGinn, who also was on their team when they took home the top prize on “Battle of the Seasons.”

Nichols praised Sweeney’s ability to sway the game when he has “zero athletic credibility or currency” after McGinn’s poor performances in early challenges affected his standing in the house. 

As for Larson and Meinke, these OG’s have been in every single elimination so far and have yet to go home, proving they are one of the strongest teams this season—even though they came into the season beefing after “All Stars 4.”

‘The Challenge’ Fans Are Also Loving Sweeney’s Return After Over a Decade Away

After Nichols posted a clip of the episode on Instagram, fans immediately took to the comment section to share their thoughts on Sweeney’s return after such a long hiatus.

“Frank is what this show has been missing. Somebody who goes to play hard. You can see he loves every second of it.,” one fan shared. 

“Frank is HILARIOUS. Referring to himself as daddy had me dying,” shared another.

Another thinks Sweeney is ready to return to the flagship, which is notoriously more rigorous than “All Stars.”

“Ready for Frank to return to flagship. But All-Star got that old school vibe even with the new school casting on it.”

Despite only appearing on three seasons of “The Challenge,” Sweeney is considered a fan-favorite. After winning “Battle of the Seasons” with Nichols, McGinn, and Ashley Kelsey, he appeared on “Rivals II,” where he was paired with one of the GOATs, Johnny Bananas. 

During that season, they fell short, coming in second to two other GOATs of the show, Chris “CT” Tamburello and Wes Bergmann.

As for his rivalry with his “Real World: San Diego” roommate, McGinn, it started on the season that would make them champions. Sweeney and McGinn butted heads often, but things went from bad to worse in the final challenge when Sweeney pushed her to the ground while trying to get her to keep going. 

Fans can catch Sweeney and McGinn—along with Larson and Meinke—when new episodes of “The Challenge: All Stars 5” air Wednesday nights on MTV.