‘Redneck Island’: Margaret Wood’s Blog — ‘I Was Selfish’ When It Came To Josh

The house was divided once again on ‘Redneck Island’, but this time it was the veteran guys versus Cody, Nicole and the rookies. When Nicole won her Pit challenge and shouted, ‘F–k y’all!’ to everyone, it left a lot of people really salty. It was us against them at that point — especially after Cowboy so bravely ran his mouth.

If I had a cork, I would have shoved it down Cowboy’s throat. All that “laying low” we had been doing went straight out the window and all eyes were on Cowboy and me now. The morning of the fifth challenge was such a drag. It was freezing and cloudy and to make matters worse, the challenge involved water. When Steve [Austin] explained “Wall Brawl,” I assumed it would be really simple. Cody and Nicole made it look like a piece of cake when they plopped Tank and Katie in the water. But I quickly found out that I was wrong. Bo and Jorden found their rhythm from the start. Cowboy and I didn’t stand a chance. It was pretty much over before it started. This was definitely Bo’s challenge and his time to shine!

As things unfolded, one by one the veteran guys went to the “losers” bracket. The only smidgen of hope we had was Riley and Becky, and that ended pretty quick. When Bo and Jorden won, I knew Cowboy and I were doomed. But what I didn’t see coming was competing against Josh and Tuff for the losers spot.

I was definitely bummed because this challenge shouldn’t have been as hard as we made it. When it came down to me and cowboy or Josh and Tuff in the pit, Cowboy and I seriously almost jumped in the water just so Bo and Jorden didn’t have the satisfaction of sending us. But we knew Steve would have our asses if we didn’t give it all we had so we decided to bring it! After another two rounds, Cowboy and I FINALLY figured this thing out. The wall went around and around and around, and we finally heard a splash! I saw Tuff bobbing in the water but no sign of Josh. Cowboy shouted, “KEEP GOING!! JOSH IS STILL UP THERE!” With everything we had left in us, we pushed one last time and I heard a second splash.

I don’t know why, but at the very moment I heard Josh hit the water, I was suddenly overwhelmed with guilt. Cowboy and I were safe (for a little while) from the Pit, but now there was a chance Josh was going home and that really bummed me out. I couldn’t believe the challenge played out the way it did. Josh was probably the biggest guy in the house and should have done so well. I was in disbelief.

Inside My Roller Coaster Relationship

After the challenge, my emotions were all over the place. My relationship with Josh was like a roller coaster. We hadn’t seen each other since we broke up, and being isolated in that house with him gave me very mixed emotions. Even though we had gone separate ways, we still cared a lot for one another. He was my best friend for a long time and having him in the house kept me sane. But at the same time, I was so torn because I had been seeing someone back home that I really adore. To be truthful, I wasn’t being fair to either of them because I wasn’t being honest with myself. I was really selfish about the whole situation.

The whole thing weighed really heavy on my heart. I knew Cowboy and I were going to the pit, and going against Tuff scared the crap out of me. I think the world of Tuff but that doesn’t change the fact that she scares me and she could beat up most guys. I already felt defeated before Jorden and Bo even gave their decision.

When Melissa came to get the decision, Cowboy and I were already in our team jerseys. Even though we knew it was coming, I still don’t think I was prepared. I was disappointed that Jorden didn’t come to talk to me before she sent us in, but that was probably for the best. It hurt me the most because I knew it wasn’t my fault we were going, and if Cowboy had just been quiet we would’ve had smooth sailing. But at the end of the day, we were a team and I was going to stick by him no matter what.

When we arrived to the Pit I was so nervous that I thought I was going puke. When Steve explained that the challenge was pretty much a football match, I seriously lost it. I couldn’t stop crying. I really thought Tuff was about to kill me. Not only is she scary and “tuff,” she was the freaking captain of her high school RUGBY TEAM. Yes you read that right… She played the British sport that’s just like football with NO pads. I was totally screwed.

A fun fact that you didn’t see on the episode: right before we were about to start I got the biggest motivation speech from Steve Austin ever. He yelled and cursed at me to stop being a cry baby and told me it wasn’t soap opera and that I was there to compete. I think he was surprised I was so terrified and wanted to help. You can actually hear bits and pieces of it in the preview of this season.

I dried my tears and tried to calm down. The first round was kind of a blur. All I really remember was Tuff SLAMMING me to the ground and my head almost hitting the deck. After I got up, I looked over and Tessa (who was my biggest cheerleader that night) looked at me and said, “That’s as bad as it’s going to be right there. You just got through the worst part.” And that really helped calm me down because she was right.

The second round I was more focused and lot less nervous. When Steve said go I hauled ass to the left and tried to get as close to the hole as possible. Just as Tuff was dragging my butt to the ground, I threw a Kobe fade-away underhanded shot from God. It flipped through the air and literally bounced on all sides of the rim and by the grace of Jesus it somehow went in. EVERYONE WENT NUTS! Riley picked Becky up and twirled her around, Steve threw his hat off his head, and there was a huge shower of beer! It was INSANE! Even the show crew went crazy and celebrated. It was like a scene from a movie and by far my most memorable moment ever on Redneck Island.

I Was On Cloud Nine For Josh

After I that, I knew all I had to do was keep Tuff from scoring and it would all be over. I actually had a chance to win. I couldn’t believe it. When she got the buoy, she juked around me and I grabbed her by the only thing I could get — her shorts. I was literally pants-ing her when she threw the buoy at the hole. She missed, it was over and I literally hit my knees I was so shocked. I just put out the toughest, most intimidating girl in the house in a freaking football match… YEAH, I DID.

Josh and Cowboy had a crazy match. I was pretty torn about who to cheer for because I had always wanted to compete with Josh but Cowboy was my ‘ride or die.’ The first round between them went pretty quick and Josh scored almost immediately. Cowboy did a crazy spin move before he even crossed the defense line (God love him) and he shot the buoy like a basketball. It went in! Josh quickly scored again and it was all over after that. He sent Cowboy packing.

I was on cloud nine after Josh won. I couldn’t freaking believe we just became partners. I think everyone kind of expected me to go home. This kind of thing only happens on Redneck Island. Bo and Jorden just accidentally created the biggest power team ever! Josh and I are so competitive and have so much chemistry. Things were about to get REAL! Jorden and Bo better watch out. We were coming for em’!

-Margaret Wood
Come back every Friday morning for Margaret Wood’s blog!