Everything has turned upside down since the last time we saw Team San Diego. Blonde bombshell Ashley and muscle jock Zach were inseparable lovers during their season, but after a sour breakup, Zach confesses, "Ashley ripped my heart out, put it in a blender and served it to me for breakfast." But how will Ashley react when Zach hooks up with another girl in the house? Hothead Frank enters the game hell-bent on leading his team, but Zach has other ideas. These two alpha males hated each other during their season, but arrive at Battle of the Seasons hoping to change that, as Frank admits, "The thing that means the most to me is being able to cross the finish line with Zach. I wouldn't want to cross the finish line with anybody else." Frank and Zach may be friends for now, but will the pressures of the game reignite their past hatred? Rounding out the team is Sam, the least athletic and most politically inept teammate, who is out to prove to her team that she is a worthy asset. Will San Diego be able to start fresh and compete with a clean slate? Or will their toxic past rise up and destroy their chances of winning?
Rivals II[]
Retrieved from MTV.com
The male team that poses the biggest physical threat... is also the one fraught with the most bad blood. Zach and Trey hate each other and neither is afraid to express it. Zach seethes, "Trey is your typical douchebag. He's the friend no one likes. He's truly a disgusting human being and now I gotta carry Mighty Mouse to a final." Their feud has even spread to social media, where Zach assailed Trey's character in interviews and on Twitter. As Trey explains, "At first those things kind of bothered me and then I realized Zach is just a really insecure bitch. He wants everything to go his way because he's the biggest dude in the house." While Zach's size and strength are undeniable, he has a sensitive core that may cloud his judgment. For Trey, though, this Challenge is about redemption. After a disappointing debut last season, this Baltimore boy yearns to make a name for himself and finally impress his peers with his athletic ability. Will Zach love winning more than he hates Trey? Or will this toxic pair self-destruct?
Free Agents[]
Retrieved from MTV.com
After a winning rookie year in Battle of the Seasons, Zach made an unexpected exit from Rivals II when he was disqualified in the elimination round less than halfway through the game. Zach recalls, "Obviously I embarrassed myself last time. So, I'd like to redeem myself in that sense. I'm just in a much better place, mentally and physically." At 6'3" and 240 pounds, Zach is the biggest guy in the house and a threat to win any challenge, but his quick temper and sharp tongue have proven to be a serious liability. Will a kinder, gentler giant emerge? Or will old patterns repeat themselves?
Battle of the Exes II[]
Retrieved from MTV.com
Zach fell hard and fast for Jonna's baby blues on Battle of the Seasons. The two continued their romance after the show, when Zach relocated to Los Angeles to be with Jonna. However, Zach quickly realized it wasn't a good match and abandoned Jonna without looking back. For years, Jonna and Zach tiptoed around a tattered past without ever speaking a word. Zach explains, "I've wanted nothing to do with her since we broke up. She's got some animosity towards me, so we've got to settle that right away if we plan on doing anything in this Challenge." A wistful Jonna seeks closure from Zach for her broken heart and Jonna admits, "Because of how our relationship ended, I'm not sure if I’m going to be able to trust Zach this time around. And trust is one of the most important things for partners in this game." Will Zach and Jonna finally break the ice and slide into a Final? Or will old wounds send them into dark, tumultuous waters?
Invasion of the Champions[]
Retrieved from MTV.com
Last time we heard from gargantuan Zach, he was making waves in the Rivals IIIChallenge house, and he wasn't even there! Zach shattered the heart of beloved Challenge cutie, Jenna, ending their longstanding relationship. Now that the two may be reunited, Zach asserts he isn't here to rekindle an old flame, "I'm not good at being in a relationship, I've tried and failed, but I'd like to win another Challenge because I am a champion, and I want to prove that it wasn’t just a fluke." Because he is a trainer and gym manager, Zach is a force to be reckoned with on the playing field, and people should watch out when this competitor brings his A-game.
Champs vs. Stars 1[]
Retrieved from MTV.com
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Zach Nichols is a fierce presence on The Challenge field and already considers himself a pro-athlete after his college football career. Although Nichols didn't pursue his dreams of becoming an NFL star, he still devotes all of his time and energy to fitness, enough so that he earned his Champ title on Battle of the Seasons. In the past, Nichols' tumultuous relationship with fellow cast member Jenna Compono has brought drama on every season they’ve done together. Will their relationship flourish? Or will it distract him from taking down the Stars? The charity he'll be playing for is Wigs for Kids Michigan.
Vendettas[]
Retrieved from MTV.com
Unfiltered and unafraid, Zach is amped to get a chance at another Challenge championship. He's known for dominating competitors but has had his fair share of blunders (including a devastating third place finish on Free Agents). The Battle of the Seasons winner is often found politicking with Bananas but always seems to be left at the starting line when plans change and deals are made. Will Zach be able to power through the competition? Or will he be left in the dust with no chance of making it to the top?
Final Reckoning[]
Retrieved from MTV.com
Amanda and Zach were on oppositeteams during their first meeting on The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions. When Amanda spread rumors of Zach's ex-girlfriend and fellow Challenger, Jenna, hooking up with Bruno, Amanda and Zach immediately became enemies. Having never been aligned or on the same team, will they be able to start fresh and work cohesively?
War of the Worlds[]
Retrieved from MTV.com
This Real World: San Diego alum is back after a troubled journey on Final Reckoning involving constant feuding with his partner Amanda. This season, Zach returns alongside his girlfriend Jenna, hopeful that the two can make it deep in the game together. Unfortunately for the happy couple, Amanda has long been threatening to drop a "massive bomb" about their relationship. Is it all bluster, or does his nemesis really hold the tea that can scorch Zach's chance at big money?
War of the Worlds 2[]
Retrieved from MTV.com
The gruff Veteran is back in the game and looking to return to his once winning ways after a disappointing showing on War of the Worlds. A formidable athlete, Zach has proven himself to be a dominant force in challenges and eliminations -- provided he can keep his head in the game. Unfortunately, his carelessness with politics sometimes comes back to bite him, as does his insensitivity to his fellow competitors. With plenty of bad blood lingering between him and some of his Veteran teammates, it remains to be seen whether or not Zach can get his mind right, mend old wounds and return to being the dominant competitor of seasons past.
Zach raised $10,000 for Wigs 4 Kids Michigan for being the MVP of the "Tow Truck" and "Slam Ball" challenges.
Following Ashley's withdrawal from the game, Zach stated he would instead donate $5,000 of his winnings to Ashley's charity, Prevent Child Abuse America.
Vendettas[]
Challenge History[]
Episode
Challenge
Team
Result
1
Get Off the Rock
SAFE
2/3
Who's Got Balls?
SAFE
3/4
#Vendettas
SAFE
4/5
Food Wars
Team 6
WIN
6/7
Gasping for Air
Team 4
WIN
7/8
Puppet Master
Blue Team
SAFE
8/9
Car Crash
Team 2
SAFE
9/10
Kickin' Ass
Blue Team
WIN
11
This Land is My Land
Green Team
WIN
12
Spanish Treasure
Team 1
WIN
12/13
Help Me, Rhonda
WIN
13
Outside the Box
SAFE
14
Final Challenge
SECOND
Notes[]
Zach received $35,000 for finishing the Final Challenge in second place.
He received an additional $37,125 from his individual bank account, bringing his total earnings to $72,125.
Despite winning the "Caged In" challenge, Zach & Amanda were unable to break a tie between Ashley & Hunter and Bananas & Tony, and were sent into Armageddon instead.
Zach was medically disqualified from the game prior to the "That's the Ticket" Redemption elimination due to fracturing his nose during the "Shake It Off" elimination.
Zach made surprise appearances during Episodes 5, 6, and 7 of Total Madness where he spoke to Jenna Compono over video call about their relationship. He later appeared alongside her during the reunion to discuss that fight and their recent engagement.
