SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from the Wednesday, August 28, episode of “ The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras.”

One thing's for sure - both the cast and viewers of “The Challenge” know TJ Lavin doesn't play around. He proved that during the latest episode. After Era 3 won the daily challenge, captains Tony and Averey had to decide which other team captains would face the losing team, Jodi and Darrell, in elimination. But they couldn't agree.

While Tony wanted to send Derek and Aviv into the arena, since that’s who Darrell asked for, Averey was extremely close with Derek and refused to turn on them, instead wanting to target Kaycee and Kyland.

They both knew if they couldn't agree on who to send into elimination, TJ would make them compete. When neither of them budged, that's exactly what happened. A very angry Averey claimed Tony didn't want to be there and, in the end, took her frustration out by beating Jodi in a strategic puzzle. Tony wasn't as fortunate. He lost to Darrell and was sent home.

Tony tells Variety how he feels now about his choice, Averey's claims that he didn't want to be there, and breaks down exactly what he ate during the daily challenge.

We haven’t seen you on the flagship series since “Final Reckoning.” Why was now the right time to return?

Well, any time is a good time for Tony Time. I apologize, I just couldn't resist. I took a break from “The Challenge” and for nearly every season since “Final Reckoning,” I've received that call. It's been one of the hardest things to do to decline. I've missed the show deeply. With this being Season 40 and my departure on “All Stars,” it couldn't be my final mark on the game.

I was fortunate to receive a call for Season 40 and couldn't pass it up. Being back in the thick of it, feeling the energy, I was reinfected with the competitive bug. I'm hoping I get another call. I'd definitely accept because I missed it tremendously.

What was it like going back to living with all these people again? It’s physically challenging but a lot of this game is mental.

It was almost like riding a bike. I just slipped back into the rhythm. It felt so natural to me being in that house. It was like, this is where I belong.

OK let’s dive into this episode. Everyone knows you’re good at eating challenges, but which of those disgusting plates of food did you eat? And how fast were you?

I think I ate two plates. I know I ate the Thai chili grub worms and I remember them specifically because I just grabbed the bowl and [gulped it down]. Some of the Thai chili sauce got in my eye, so it's one I won't forget. It burned so badly. I can't recall what the other thing was, but whatever it was, I devoured it. That's no challenge for me. I'm from the south. If you were to see some of the things we eat down here, you'd understand.

But the worms were alive .

It's better to eat those things alive because you get all the nutrients. You don't want to cook the nutrients, the vitamins out. I'll tell you this, they didn't survive!

OK, gross! Moving on. You and Averey were captains so when Era 3 won, you guys got to choose who went into elimination against Darrell and Jodi but couldn’t agree. Heading to the arena, were you feeling prepared to go in or were you bluffing, thinking she’d budge?

I remember saying, “If we can’t agree, then we need to be ready to face the consequences, because I’m not backing down.” I said it with such conviction that I even convinced myself, and I needed to do that to make her understand that I was serious. Did I want to go through with it? Of course not, but I had to believe in my decision, and I thought it was the best move for my game. I knew she was going to stick with Derek because she's very emotional and plays with her heart. Their connection and bond were undeniable. I thought maybe if I tell Darrell I'll give him what he wants, and then we end up in a deadlock, maybe Derek will step in and say, “Averey, don’t worry about it. He wants to be a jerk? I'll take his place.” Then we'd be out of trouble. I had a backup plan. I figured, there's no way Derek would let Averey go through with this. There's no way. And he said nothing.

Can you explain why you wouldn’t budge — why you’d rather put yourself in than someone Darrell didn’t want?

In “Vendettas,” I did what I thought was best for my game. That was a turning point for me on “The Challenge.” Someone gave me great advice: Step back and look at the game like a chessboard. What's your next move to checkmate? Once I started thinking like that, I started getting better at the game. That was the beginning of Tony Time. I saw myself as the lowest ranking player in my Era. No one was looking out for me except Devin. So I had to reach out beyond my era and try to form an alliance. I've known Darrell for a long time. We have a good relationship and respect each other. So I thought, if I do this, you owe me a favor in the future. That's what was best for my game. I looked at Averey and thought, is keeping Derek here really best for your game? Why? Just to confide in him? Do you think that's the best strategy, and what's the reason behind it? I know a lot of our conversations and my reasoning weren't shown, but that's the basic idea.

It seemed like most of the house was rooting against you, telling you just to give in. Is that accurate?

Everyone except Darrell. Look, pride comes before a fall. And it's a shame that in this situation, it might look like pride got the better of me. It probably did. I've tried not to dwell on it because I know going home early, making that decision, getting home, and having to see the disappointment on my family's faces — even though they were happy to see me, which was great — but the way I left, it's hard. At that time, I had made up my mind. I told myself I wasn't going to back down. But again, I thought she would change her mind. I figured Derek would take my place.

Averey claimed you didn’t want to be there. Was there any truth to that, that you wanted to go home?

I remember her saying that around the house, and then telling TJ that I didn't want to be there and was checked out. It was like, how can you say that after the conversations we had, the reasons I gave you for being here, fighting for my family? I'm here to make as much money as possible. Look, even if I don't win the million and I make it to week 12, that's still extra money for me. It's not like we just go out there and go home with nothing. Every week we stay past a certain point, we get extra checks. I've already sacrificed three weeks of my life up to this point. I'm trying to make it all the way. Even if I reach the final, I'll be going home with a nice cushion and nest egg for my family.

I confided in her. We had a great relationship. She was probably the person I talked to the most out there, which unfortunately wasn't shown. We talked a lot on “All Stars.” She confided in me. Did I tell her that I missed my family, that I would cry when I video-called them? Yes, because I love my family, and it's natural. But to say that I was checked out when I was having the time of my life? I wasn't checked out, but was I down? Yes, I was down when it got to that point. I could tell her attitude towards me changed because of what I wanted to do. It sucked. As for not wanting to be there, that's just something that shouldn't be said. Honestly, I find it offensive.

That makes sense! Ok, getting into the elimination, how heavy were those pieces?

We tried to estimate the weight of the objects. Our guesses ranged from 35 to 45 pounds. It felt like a 45-pound weight plate at the gym. We were surprised that the girls and guys were given the same weight.

Was anyone cheering for you or helping you?

I could hear Devin and Jordan talking a bit. Era 1 was yelling loudly, encouraging Darrell, and it was really noisy. They were also trying to distract me. With everything else going on, I was exhausted. I was at a disadvantage from the start. Then you go to the girls’ round, and my team was really supporting Averey, which is fine with me, but where was that support for me? Why was everyone so quiet when Averey was trying to figure it out? It was a bit strange.

After being eliminated, you were able to give people extra points, which will help them, somehow, down the line. Can you share who you helped?

My memory's a bit fuzzy, but I can confidently say I'm a huge fan of Derrick Kosinski. I really like the guy. Devin was my top pick initially. I was also pulling for Averey. We had a good connection and rapport before things got complicated. You can see she's got a lot of grit. She has that underdog spirit, which I really admire, because I definitely had that early on in my 'Challenge' career.