‘Redneck Island’: Margaret Wood’s Blog — ‘I Had To Pick My Jaw Off The Ground’

Going back to the house after Cowboy went home was such a drag. Tank was moping around. I was bummed. Even Riley said it was different without Cowboy. I think watching such a strong, seasoned veteran go out like that kind of hit home for everyone, especially the rookies.

The rookies started to see that you have to go big and give it everything you’ve got or you pack your bags and go home, and that the pit is no joke. I don’t think Redneck Island was what a lot of these guys were expecting.

The morning of the second challenge I was already super drained, physically and emotionally. When Dustin came out of nowhere and told me he was leaving, I literally had to pick up my jaw off the ground. I can’t even begin to describe the disappointment that I felt when he left. I was embarrassed, upset, confused, worried and absolutely pissed off! I thought, “ARE YOU EFFIN’ KIDDING ME?!” He HAD to be joking. This did NOT just happen to me.

Yep. It totally did.

And when I thought things couldn’t get worse, Steve informed me I wasn’t allowed to compete without a partner?! Dustin left me completely screwed. At this point, I was distraught. I just wanted a chance to compete and some stinkin’ rookie got that taken away from me. Wtf! I knew these new guys were bad news. I really thought I was about to head home, but good ol’ Steve decided to bring me in a new partner. Praise Jesus that “Stone Cold” Steve Austin doesn’t have a stone cold heart.

Cowboy’s Return

The moment I saw Cowboy come around the corner, I freaking lost it! HOLY CRAP! And to think that I thought my life was a soap opera before. Cowboy literally rode in on his noble white steed to save my damsel-in-distress self, and it was so bad-ass! I immediately felt the death stares from the other cast members. I mean I have to admit, I would have been kind of mad, too. Not only were we the first vet team paired together, but we had already been partners last season and almost made it to the finale. Sorry I’m not sorry! We definitely had a target on us but I didn’t care. The dynamic duo was back!

The “Floaters” challenge was hella-fun but super intense. I had one goal: do not come in last. I wasn’t surprised Caleb and Becky were the first ones out but I was bummed for Beck. After Cowboy and I were out, I rooted for Josh and Tuff. I knew they had my back and I felt like Josh deserved a good win. I was super pumped when they won! For once, I knew I was safe and I had a chance to rest and catch my breath after such a dramatic morning.

My Heart Hurt For Connar

The night after the challenge turned crazy quick. I couldn’t even celebrate with Cowboy because Connar got hurt. Cody pretty much slammed Connar into the ground and broke her ankle….. What the F, Cody! Way to go . My heart hurt for Connar because I knew how much she wanted to be there. I felt like Jorden and Nicole had already ganged up to try and get rid of her and this was the answer to their prayers. I wanted the best for Connar and tried to have her back through the whole situation. Riley was freaking out and she was upset. It was terrible. She was such a fighter and wanted to stay so bad so I tried my hardest to persuade Josh and Tuff to send a different team to the pit.

Ultimately, I was overruled. Josh and Tuff tried to do the right thing for Connar and for Riley (which kind of sucked for Caleb because we knew in anything physical Riley would clobber him.) But Josh and Tuff knew Connar was hurt and knew Riley was only as strong as his partner, who at that point was on crutches. I felt almost defeated. Jorden and Nicole were pretty nasty to me last season and I felt like Josh was giving into them by sending Connar into elimination. The whole situation completely sucked.

The pit was over and done in the blink of an eye. Steve and Melissa broke the news to Connar that medically, she wasn’t able to compete in the pit and because she couldn’t compete, Becky automatically advanced. Watching Connar cry and walk off into the sunset absolutely broke my heart, but I was so glad to see my girl Becky stick around. Beck is a little warrior. Riley put a whopping on Caleb and sent him home. Riley and Becky became partners because Josh and Tuff pretty much threw them the biggest favor ever, and as result, there were now TWO veteran teams! The new topic at the house was “Riley and Becky.” The game just got even crazier. So much happened before, during and after that second challenge that I think the question on everyone’s mind now was, “What can possibly happen next?”

Stay tuned every week for my weekly blog after Redneck Island on CMT!