Episode 1: El Principio
Live from Poliforum Zamna in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
Wednesday, March 1st, 2023
The fireworks in the Poliforum Zamna go off as the crowd goes nuts for this event. Ground Zero, for the first time ever, has come to Mexico. It's an interesting development given that previous seasons of Ground Zero did not travel very far. The Poliforum Zamna however is known for hosting similar Lucha Libre style events, and now this special season of Ground Zero is no different.
Ground Zero debuted in 2017 when it featured a bunch of nobodies who had dreams of becoming a wrestler in the FWA. Firefighters, Mechanics, and street thugs all battled it out to determine who would get that coveted FWA contract. In the end it was Ty Johnson who became the first ever Ground Zero winner. Season 2 debuted in 2020, and the stakes were raised. The show began to recruit wrestlers with a little more experience, and this time the competition was intense. More than half the Ground Zero Season 2 roster ended up competing in the FWA at some point. The likes of Chris Peacock, Joe Burr, Konchu Hao, Lizzie Rose, Reagan Cole, Stu Grimes, and Caesar all went on to win FWA Championships in fact. Kleio De Santos and Sauce Man are two other tough competitors that emerged from the show's ashes. It was Konchu Hao who went on to win that historic season of Ground Zero, and his mark was left in Ground Zero history because of it.
In the fall of 2021, Ground Zero Season 3 debuted. This season introduced the first theme to a Ground Zero season. Instead of just singles competitors competing to fight it out, Ground Zero Season 3 featured tag team competitors. You might recognize teams like The Coven, Poni Boi, The Lumberjacks, and Leviathans from this season, but it was The Internet Anti H8 Squad who became Season 3's winners.
So now the question remains, as we begin this brand new season of Ground Zero, who will join Ty Johnson, Konchu Hao, and The Internet Anti H8 Squad among Ground Zero's Hall of Winners? Like the season before it, this season of Ground Zero comes with a twist. While we're back to singles competition, we are going to be focused on singles LUCHA competition. The art of Lucha Libre wrestling is an entirely different world compared to the wrestling most FWA fans know and love. It's faster, more intense, and the stakes have never been higher. This season will feature 18 competitors, who have been split up into three teams. Each one of those teams has a coach who is or has competed in the FWA. Each week, at least two competitors will be eliminated. The last one standing will be given a guaranteed contract in the FWA, if they so wish to pursue it.
So the question remains...who will be the last Luchador standing?
Ty Johnson and Daiquan Andrews, two competitors from Ground Zero season 1, now make their way down the ramp and to the commentary table. Ty Johnson was the winner of Ground Zero Season 1, and Daiquan Andrews finished as a finalist. Ty Johnson has since retired from wrestling and is now the owner and head writer at Nuances of Wrestling. All the while Daiquan Andrews was a commentator with Broc Lobster on Ground Zero season 2.
Ty Johnson: Hello Ground Zero fans! This is Ty Johnson coming at ya.
Daiquan Andrews: Yo this is Daiquan Andrews. You might remember my sweet sweet voice from Ground Zero season 2, or maybe back in Season 1 when I was beating the crap out of Tyrone there.
Ty Johnson: Who won that season though, Daiquan?
Daiquan Andrews: I think you cheated.
Ty Johnson: I guess you'll never know. But one thing I'll tell you is, I never thought there was going to be another season of Ground Zero. And yet here we are starting Ground Zero Season 4. I have followed this show extensively, especially in Season 3 when I wrote weekly reviews and recaps on my site Nuances of Wrestling. Just a plug for all of you listening, go to Nuances of Wrestling for all of your wrestling news, reviews, and recaps.
Daiquan Andrews: That site isn't owned by Ryan Clark is it?
Ty Johnson: The football player?
Daiquan Andrews: No, that dude who owns a bunch of crappy wrestling websites and then abandons them.
Ty Johnson: No, it is 100% owned by me. We even have our own wrestling forum there! And e-fed.
Daiquan Andrews: What's an e-fed?
Ty Johnson: Honestly Daiquan, I think it'd be too complicated to explain. But what isn't too complicated to explain are the new rosters for this season of Ground Zero. In seasons past, these teams were drawn up at the end of episode one. This year? Our three coaches have gotten the chance to scout ahead and have already drafted their team. It's allowed the contestants to start working with their coaches, and each other, before the season starts.
Daiquan Andrews: And who are the coaches, Ty?
Ty Johnson: Our first coach, is Vamprya. She's a rookie in the FWA, but it shouldn't be forgotten that in spite of this, she has already became a champion in the business. She held the FWA Television Championship for 72 days before just losing it at Back in Town. I think if anyone FWA rookie is qualified to coach a team of Ground Zero competitors, it's Vampryra.
Team Vamprya
View attachment 41338 View attachment 41339View attachment 41340View attachment 41341View attachment 41342View attachment 41343
Ty Johnson: As you can see Vamprya has drafted quite an interesting team. Who do you like from this team Daiquan?
Daiquan Andrews: I see a lot of interesting talent on this squad, but I think Lavonny Toner is my favorite. Something about the name Toner just makes me think winner.
Ty Johnson: You know I lost to Danny and Donny Toner once? So, forgive me but I sort of get rubbed the wrong way with Toners.
Daiquan Andrews: You get rubbed some way that's for sure.
Ty Johnson: Shut up Daiquan. Me personally I think I like Hijo De Espanda Roja, and Principe Ceilo. They both are very traditional, very talented luchador fighters.
Daiquan Andrews: Hemmlock is my first pick to go. Look at how small she is! She looks like she's 12 years old or something.
Ty Johnson: It's funny you say that Daiquan, and I don't know if it's worth noting, but there is no age limit for this competition. Many remember in Ground Zero season 2, when Kleio De Santos was disqualified from the show due to being under 18 at the time. Of course she was just a couple weeks shy of her 18th birthday then, but nevertheless she was seen as cheating and was thrown out. Our host of this season apparently lobbied to have that rule ejected. Now I don't know if Hemmlock actually is under the age of 18 or not, but she definitely is small.
Daiquan Andrews: I bet even you could beat that one, Ty.
Ty Johnson: Up next, we have Team Fantasy. The Captain? Captain Fantasy! Captain Fantasy is FWA's favorite Superhero. Some people may think he might be the most unqualified of the judges...
Daiquan Andrews: Some people, or you?
Ty Johnson: Some people. But what I was going to say is, Captain Fantasy is actually a former North American Champion. And do you know who he beat for that title?
Daiquan Andrews: I'm sure you're going to tell me...
Ty Johnson: CYRUS TRUTH! So, in other words, Captain Fantasy is a dude who I'd want coaching me for sure.
Team Fantasy
View attachment 41344View attachment 41345View attachment 41347View attachment 41348View attachment 41349View attachment 41350
Ty Johnson: As you can see...Captain Fantasy went a little bit more...out there with his picks.
Daiquan Andrews: The whole squad looks like they're applying to be part of The Cult of Chutllu. I do like La Sobrinda Del Horror Cosmico tough.
Ty Johnson: I'm a fan of The Trash Mammal myself. Anyway, last but not least...the final team is run by someone special. Not only is he a former champion in the FWA also, but he is a former winner of Ground Zero. An accolade that one should hold quite high. He is Konchu Hao. Let's take a look at his team.
Team Wizard
View attachment 41351View attachment 41353View attachment 41354View attachment 41355View attachment 41356View attachment 41357
Daiquan Andrews: Yo that Fantasma guy looks like I've seen him before. In a movie maybe?
Ty Johnson: He's spooky before. Maybe not as spooky as Halloween Knight, but he's spooky. I think my favorites from this group are El Rey and Crowley.
Daiquan Andrews: Nah, I'm pulling for my boy Lone Shark. Definitely first elimination though? Tyler.
Ty Johnson: You just don't like the first two letters of his name.
Daiquan Andrews: Maybe, but nah for real. You've got Cara De Fantasma, you've got La Sobrina Del Horror Cosmico, you've got Mamifero De Basura, El Rey, Hijo De Espanda Roja, aaaaaand Tyler. You know it's a white dude under that mask.
Ty Johnson: Well you know what, I'm rooting for him. Us Ty's have to stick together.
Daiquan Andrews: One thing worth noting...all of our coaches have experiences with wearing a mask don't they?
Ty Johnson: They sure do. In fact, it's worth mentioning that it's a luchador tradition that you have to earn your mask. Everyone but two contestants on our show seemed to have done just that. Lou Cha and Mr. Liberty however have not, so it'll be worth following on whether or not they end up doing that this show.
Daiquan Andrews: We've introduced everyone but ourselves Ty? Let's get our pretty pictures up on that screen.
Daiquan Andrews: There we go. Look at that fresh suit I'm wearing!
Ty Johnson: Has anyone ever told you that you look like Richard Sherman?
Daiquan Andrews: Has anyone ever told you that you look like Jon Jones?
Ty Johnson: Touche. Speaking of dudes who look like dudes...we still have one more person to introduce. He's a man I know unfortunately well, he is a former friend and enemy, and he has been the host of every season of Ground Zero...
And with that, Renegade by Styx goes off in the arena as the former FWA star comes down the ramp. The crowd in Mexico tonight gives him a solid mix of cheers and boos, but he doesn't seem to mind as he smiles and heads down to the ring.
He's back to wearing suits, despite a stretch during his hardcore revival when he was wearing hoodies and jeans. He's specifically wearing a fancy black pinstripe suit.
The current longest-reigning X Champion slowly heads into the ring with a microphone in his hand.
Saint Sulley: Bonjour!
The crowd boos at the host who's poor attempt at a joke falls flat.
Saint Sulley: Look, look...let's get one thing straight. No Hablo Espanol! It's the only thing I know how to say, and I'm going to say it. No Hablo Espanol! We might be in Mexico, but we're also in North AMERICA. Okay, now I'm starting to sound like Shawn Summers, I'll stop.
I just wanted to thank all of you for tuning into another season of Ground Zero. I pitched the idea of Ground Zero almost seven years ago now, and I have to say...I never thought it would turn out the way it did. It was my way of trying to find a talent I could mentor in the FWA...and of course, that guy is sitting over at that table there.
Sulley motions towards Ty Johnson, who gives him sort of a scowl in return.
Saint Sulley: Yeah, yeah I know that didn't end well. You see back in Ty's season, you didn't just get an FWA Contract...but you also got the opportunity to be mentored...by me. When we started Season 2, that reward was thrown out. I guess it didn't seem like that much of a reward? But the key reward still remained...a guaranteed contract in the FWA. That's the prize everyone cared about. A one way ticket to the biggest and best wrestling company in the world. I wrestled there for ten years, and I enjoyed every second of it.
Now, we're going to watch 18 new stars try and prove that they have what it takes to wrestle in the same company. That they have what it takes to compete for the same titles I and so many others have won.
And you're going to watch them right now! Get out here...everyone on the roster...you're going to open things up with an 18 man Battle Royal. Whoever wins? Their team is safe. The other two teams? Someone is going home from EACH of their squads. Immunity is on the line here folks. Let's get going.
With that Sulley drops the mic and exits the ring with a smile on his face.
Ty Johnson: Wow did you hear that? We're starting things off with a battle royal!
Daiquan Andrews: Right after this commercial break.
*Commercial Break*
Everyone is already out in the ring by the time we return from the commercial. So sorry to those who were expecting 18 entrances on TV. One thing to note in particular however is just how much Mr. Liberty was boo'd when entering the ring. Much to his confusion.
Match One
18 Man Battle Royal
Winner:
El Venegador (Team Vamprya)
Recap:
In what was an intense fast paced match, El Venegador was the last man standing. As soon as the match began, the patriotic Mr. Liberty was boo'd heavily by the Latino crowd here in Mexico. The momentum from that lone was enough for most of the roster to team up on the Team Fantasy competitor and throw him over the top rope. The final four contestants were El Venegador, Lone Shark, El Rey, and somehow Lou Cha. While three of the remaining four fought it out, Lou Cha hid in the corner. In one swoop El Venegador was able to clothesline Lone Shark and El Rey over the top rope. At this point the crowd got heavily behind Lou Cha. After dodging a couple of Venegador's big kicks, the crowd was nearly exploding with support for Lou Cha...until, quite anti-climatically, El Vendagor simply picked him up and tossed him over the top rope for the win.
El Venegador, and all of Team Vamprya celebrate in the ring. None of them are going home this week, and it's a big boost. Coach Vamprya herself is there with her team, and she's quite proud of their immunity.
Ty Johnson: What a win for Team Vamprya! And El Venegador!
Daiquan Andrews: El Venegador sure has made a statement. He's the man to beat in this one going forward.
*Commercial Break*
Static momentarily takes over the screen and then a loud, strong voice calls out.
“What’s your name?”
A reasonably tall, muscular figure looms over a man tied to a chair. The unrestrained man is wearing a white, lucha mask. The prisoner is also masked, though his is black in colour.
“LaVonny Toner.”
THWACK!
The man in the white mask absolutely smashes the defenceless LaVonny in the face.
“What’s your real name?”
LaVonny spits blood onto the ground in front of his interrogator. The white-masked man looks at it briefly before continuing to direct his questions at LaVonny.
“Admit that you’re LaVon Davis.”
The prisoner stares at the man through the holes in his mask, his eyes a steely brown, gazing daggers at the man who has him held hostage. LaVonny grits his teeth and shakes his head definitely. This act of defiance draws an audible sigh from the attacker.
“Where did you come from?”
“I can’t remember.”
THWACK!
With even more force than the initial punch, the white-masked man once again cracks LaVonny across the jaw. This time, the spit of blood expelling from LaVonny’s mouth isn’t voluntary. The man continues speaking in the same strong tone, no additional anger or venom punctuating his tone.
“What do you know about Tonerville?”
“I-I-I don’t… where is Tonerville?”
THWACK!!!
LaVon yelps in pain as the man grabs him by the jaw and coolly speaks.
“Listen LaVon, it’d be a lot easier if you just came clean now. It’d save me a lot of trouble, you know?”
LaVon jerks his jaw from his hold, the only act of rebellion he has left.
“No? Fine.”
The man produces a cell-phone and starts punching in numbers. As the phone rings he cocks his head towards LaVon.
“Get ready, kid,”
“For what?”
“You’re going on a mission.”
“For who?”
The masked man scoffs.
“For us obviously.”
“To where?”
The masked man shakes his head.
“You should’ve just done this the easy way…”
The man in the white mask laughs.
“You’re going to Ground Zero.”
The feed abruptly cuts.
The crowd goes nuts as Halloween Knight spookily dances out to down the ramp and to the ring.
Ty Johnson: Well folks, we have our first elimination match of the night. Per Sulley's rules, whichever two teams did not win the opening battle royale would be subject to elimination here tonight. Well, Coach Captain Fantasy has picked two members of his team to face off.
Daiquan Andrews: The winner stays. The loser goes home.
Ty Johnson: Who do you have in this match Daiquan?
Daiquan Andrews: Uh, not the dude dressed up like it's Halloween.
Ty Johnson: Most of this roster is dressed up like it's Halloween!
Daiquan Andrews: Good point.
Now, to a chorus of boos, comes out Mr. Liberty.
Liberty looks confused, and almost hurt by the crowds boos.
Daiquan Andrews: Yo, I think this Liberty dude actually thinks he's a good guy Ty?
Ty Johnson: I don't know how he didn't expect this. He's a super patriotic USA guy, fighting in Mexico. I mean...it's almost insulting.
Daiquan Andrews: It IS insulting. Man I live in the USA, and I hate dudes who go around acting like the USA is so great. Shut up. Fourth of July is cool and all, but let's not pretend like we have to care about the country any other day.
Liberty fights his way through the boos as he gets into the ring.
Match Two
Team Fantasy Elimination Match
vs.
Winner: Halloween Knight
Eliminated: Mr. Liberty (18th Place, Team Fantasy)
Recap: In what was almost a job fest, Halloween Knight defeated Mr. Liberty in what was one of the most energetic matches from the crowd of the night. The crowd was 100% not on the side of Liberty as they boo'd louder than any crowd before any time the guy got a punch in. It was enough to pretty much shut down all of his enthusiasm as Halloween Knight finished him off with a Dia De Los Muertos (Spinning Heel Kick) for the pinfall victory.
Halloween Knight and the rest of Team Fantasy celebrate, although mournfully, as they also have lost their first member of the team. Mr. Liberty lays in the ring in pain still, not from the spinning heel kick but instead from all the boo'ing. The poor patriotic son of a bitch just doesn't understand how everyone in the crowd couldn't love the USA. What was there not to love?
Ty Johnson: And Halloween Knight stays alive! What an impressive win for the Skeleton man.
Daiquan Andrews: I knew it! I knew he was gonna win the entire time.
Ty Johnson: What? You said that Liberty would win.
Daiquan Andrews: I definitely didn't.
Ty Johnson: Yes you did.
Daiquan Andrews: Whatever man. Uh, I think we gotta go to a commercial.
*Commercial Break*
Backstage, Saint Sulley is sitting in his office. Next to him is actually his daughter Sammie Sullivan, who's got a smile on her face now that her dad is no longer wrestling. Of course he couldn't stay away from it, but this is better than watching him compete. She looks a lot taller from the last time we've seen her, and has to be about 12 or 13 years old. She even has pink hair! Wonder how Saint Sulley allowed that?
The two of them are sitting in Sulley's office as Sulley is watching highlights of himself speaking from earlier.
That is until his office phone rings.
Sulley picks it up right away.
Saint Sulley: Hello?
Caller: Hello?
Saint Sulley: Yes? Who is this?
Caller: I just wanted to know what you've been doing...
Saint Sulley: Who is this? How'd you get this number...this is a private line...
Caller: Oh is it? I'm sorry, I didn't know.
Saint Sulley: Well, now you do. Now let me get back to my videos...
Caller: Oh, you're watching videos? Are you watching scary videos?
Saint Sulley: No.
Caller: Do you like scary videos? What about Scary Movies? What's your favorite Scary Movie?
With that, Sulley hangs up the phone.
He turns to Sammie and says
Saint Sulley: These prank calls are getting out of hand.
Sammie Sullivan: Want me to beat them up for you?
Sammie asks laughing.
Sulley rolls his eyes as the phone rings again.
Except this time, he doesn't answer it. Instead he unplugs it from the wall, and goes back to his videos.
We cut to outside his office door as Cara De Fantasma is standing there, visibly angry that Sulley isn't answering the phone.
Match Three
Team Wizard Elimination Match
vs.
Winner: Lone Shark
Eliminated: El Rey (17th Place, Team Wizard)
Recap: In what was an intense back-and-forth match, it seemed like El Rey was going to pull away with the win. By all means, El Rey had the talent and poise to go far. But one mistake was all it took, and Lone Shark capitalized on it when he won with a quick roll up victory for the win.
With the match over, Lone Shark and Team Wizard celebrate! But El Rey is furious. He gets up and starts making a mess of the entire ringside. He's tipping over the stairs, and throwing things all around as the fans jest at him for his loss.
Lone Shark and Team Wizard promptly leave the area.
Ty Johnson: Well folks! We've had our first episode of Ground Zero Season 4. Two eliminations, three intense matches. It's all going to get more and more intense from here.
Daiquan Andrews: Uh, Ty I think it's intense enough as it is. We might wanna get out of here.
Ty Johnson: Uh, yeah! Sounds good! We'll see you all again next Wednesday night!
And with that both Ty Johnson and Daiquan Andrews dive out of the way of the steel ring steps as El Rey tosses the heavy metal steps towards them. They both flee the scene.
The screen fades to black as El Rey continues tearing apart the arena in anger.
