THE CAST FACE THEIR WORST NIGHTMARE WHEN THEY ARE PAIRED UP WITH THEIR ENEMIES ON MTV'S "THE CHALLENGE: RIVALS III" PREMIERING ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 AT 10:00 -11:30 PM ET/PT ON MTV

In a Special 90-Minute Premiere, The Cast are Shocked When They Learn That Their Rival Teams are Co-Ed. Veteran Cast Members Are Joined by New Rookies Including Select Cast of "Real World" and MTV's Hit Show "Are You The One?"

Santa Monica, CA (April 4, 2016) - MTV announced today that the new season of fan favorite "The Challenge: Rivals III," will return with a 90-minute premiere on Wednesday, May 4 at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

Filmed in stunning Hautulco Mexico, "The Challenge: Rivals III" brings 13 teams from "Real World," "Challenge," and "Are You the One," for a return to one of the games' most popular formats. Like every challenge, "Rivals III" requires strength, stamina, and perseverance. For the first time, each pair of bitter rivals are co-ed teams and more than ever, it's going to require mental toughness to succeed. While some rivals are able to overcome their difficulties, other pairs' animosity deepens amidst the intense competition. And this time, with $350,000 at stake, the pressure is even greater. TJ Lavin returns as the host for a season full of some of the series' craziest hook-ups, fights and the most jaw dropping twist in Challenge history.

Meet the teams:

SARAH @ImSarahRice (Challenge Veteran - Eight Seasons)

BANANAS @MTVBananas (Challenge Veteran - Twelve Seasons)

Bananas wounds are still fresh from the vicious backstabbing he received at the hands of America's favorite optimist, Sarah, on Battle of the Exes II. The Queen of Enthusiasm is back and looking to retain her Challenge crown, but knows it won't be easy with a salty and scorned partner. Will Sarah be content letting Bananas make team decisions when she just proved how devastatingly successful her methods can be? And can Bananas patch up his tattered ego in time to get his head in the game?

CAMILA @CamilaMTV (Challenge Veteran - Seven Seasons)

TONY @t_raines33 (Challenge Veteran - One Season)

Hot-tempered Camila got into an intense shouting match with lightning rod Tony on Battle of the Bloodlines. Now that they're paired up, Camila is blown away by Tony's boyish naivety and arrogance. Fireworks will be launched one way or the other, but can their outbursts be channeled back into the competition? Or is this team destined to implode in fiery fashion? Either way, look for both of these fighters to tame their combative tendencies with some shocking house hookups.

NANY @NanyMTV (Challenge Veteran - Five Seasons)

WES @WestonBergmann (Challenge Veteran - Nine Seasons)

Calculating political mastermind Wes has always been on the opposite side of the battlefield from the explosive and emotional Nany. Can these two longtime enemies bury the hatchet and move on from all of the past badmouthing? Don't count on it...

JENNA @JennaCompono (Challenge Veteran - Two Seasons)

VINCE @vinnypig (Challenge Veteran - One Season)

Challenge princess Jenna isn't known to start drama, but everything about buff badboy Vince's demeanor drove her absolutely crazy on Battle of the Bloodlines. Jenna is used to being underestimated for her ditziness, and Vince has a lot to prove after a disappointing performance last season. Can these two come together to prove all of the haters wrong, once and for all?

AVEREY @ave_tress (Challenge Veteran - One Season)

LEROY (Challenge Veteran - Six Seasons)

Loyal Leroy is a firm subscriber to the timeless adage, "Bros before Hoes." So, on Battle of the Exes 2, when Leroy's buddy Johnny claimed that Averey had cheated on him, Leroy was quick to defend his boy, despite Averey adamantly denying the claim. Can these two let sleeping dogs lie, or will past mistakes continue to haunt their relationship?

JESSICA @MtvJess (Challenge Veteran - Three Seasons)

JOHNNY @johnnyreilly_ (Challenge Veteran - Two Seasons)

Childish name-calling and screaming dominated Johnny and Jessica's relationship on the Real World: Portland. If Johnny had his way, he would never speak to Jessica again, but she sees friendship as necessary to their team success. Will the brutally honest Johnny be able to fake-play-nice and convince his partner that he respects her as a competitor? Or will this pair fall apart and resort back to the ugly name-calling of their past?

ASHLEY @MTVASHLEYBROOKE (Challenge Rookie - Real World: Explosion)

CORY @MTVCoryWharton (Challenge Veteran - One Season)

Cory was the pivotal vote in a decision to kick Ashley out of the Real World: Explosion house and now, they're partners! Will these ex-roommates be able to balance their romances for long enough to walk away victorious? Or will their fiery personalities combust like the last time they worked together?

CHRISTINA @MTV_Christina (Challenge Veteran - One Season)

NATE (Challenge Rookie - Are You The One)

Tatted-but-sensitive Nate wore his heart on his sleeve during Are You The One. However, when he found out that Christina was just stringing him along for the game, he spiralled into a dark and vengeful fit of tears. This season, Christina hopes that Nate can keep it together long enough to compete. Will Nate let his heartstrings get played with again when he starts falling for a sexy veteran? And will Christina have the energy to pick Nate back up if his sensitivity gets the best of him?

KELLYANNE @KellyAnneJudd(Challenge Veteran - Three Seasons)

JAMIE @banksy878 (Challenge Veteran - One Season)

Jamie waltzed into the Challenge house on a high fresh off of his win on Battle of the Bloodlines, but his smile quickly vanished when he was partnered with curvy and confrontational KellyAnne. The two hotheads infamously erupted at each other last season, and both players uttered words that can never be taken back. Can these two walking temper tantrums put the fireworks on hold and focus on the game? Or is it just a matter of time before these ticking bombs explode?

BRIANA @blacuesta (Challenge Rookie - Are You The One)

BRANDON @Tindel10 (Challenge Rookie - Are You The One)

Blunt Briana hated hardheaded Brandon from the start of their season on Are You The One, taking issue with his cockiness and arrogance. Brandon thinks his fanboy knowledge will help them, but will Briana be able to put up with him when his emotional tendencies start to eclipse his bravado?

CHEYENNE @CHEYnotShy (Challenge Rookie - Are You The One)

DEVIN @MTVDevinWalker (Challenge Rookie - Are You The One)

Devin rubbed everybody the wrong way on Are You The One by flaunting a downright disrespectful attitude towards women, and Cheyenne was the loudest voice against him. With his teammate distracted by romance, Devin unleashes a master plan to take over the entire game! Will these rookies prove that they have the competitive fire to last? Or will their magnetic attraction to drama brand them with targets on their backs?

NICOLE @NicolexoRamos (Challenge Veteran - One Season)

DARIO @mtvdario (Challenge Veteran - One Season)

Dario ruffled a lot of feathers when he first appeared on Battle of the Bloodlines, and the Boston beefcake's biggest hater was the meticulously made-up Nicole. Dario made it no secret that he was coming for Nicole and her cousin Nany last season, and that hatred is still burning strong. Dario wants to play a quieter game this season, but will that be possible now that he's paired with outspoken Nicole? And when Nicole finds herself falling head over heels for a hunky rookie, will Dario be able to keep her focused?

SIMONE @SimoneJKelly (Challenge Veteran - One Season)

THOMAS @ThomasBuellMTV (Challenge Veteran - Two Seasons)

Thomas found out the hard way that Simone is not a diva to be trifled with on Battle of the Exes II when she unloaded fourteen full drinks in his face just for telling her to mind her own business. Thomas's worst nightmare comes true when Simone proves to be even more outrageous than he thought possible. However, her confrontational nature may be contagious, as Thomas soon finds himself going toe-to-toe with one of the most formidable competitors in the house. All of this drama is compounded when one of the most unique injuries in Challenge history threatens to remove this team from the game... These two certainly have their work cut out for them!

MTV.com is the only destination to watch full episodes, check out cast photos, bios, sneak peeks and more! Check out the show page for "The Challenge: Rivals III here

Stay connected socially #TheChallengeRivals3 on Facebook and Twitter @challengemtv.

"The Challenge: Rivals III" was created for MTV by Bunim/Murray Productions. Jonathan Murray, Gil Goldschein, Scott Freeman and Lisa Fletcher serve as Executive Producers.

About MTV:

MTV is a global media brand inspired by the creative spirit of music and the freedom and passion of youth. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA).

About Bunim/Murray Productions:

Bunim/Murray Productions (BMP) is the leading producer of innovative entertainment content. The Emmy Award-winning company is widely credited with creating the reality television genre with its hit series The Real World (31 seasons on MTV). BMP continued to innovate with the first reality game show, Road Rules (MTV), in 1995; the first reality sitcom, The Simple Life (E!), in 2003; and the first reality soap opera, Starting Over, in 2003. BMP's current programming includes I Am Cait, Keeping up with the Kardashians and Total Divas (E!), The Real World and The Challenge (MTV), Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars (Lifetime), Bad Girls Club (Oxygen), Valerie's Home Cooking (Food Network) and Born This Way (A&E). BMP has also produced films, including Valentine Road (HBO), Pedro (MTV) and the Emmy Award-winning Autism: The Musical (HBO). BMP has launched additional entities including BMP Films, BMP Digital and BMP Latin. Based in Van Nuys, CA, the company was founded in 1987 by Jonathan Murray and the late Mary-Ellis Bunim, who were inducted into the Television Academy's Hall of Fame in 2012. The company joined Banijay Group in 2010.