What happens when SoCal challenges NorCal to a Super Smash Bros. Melee rematch on their turf? SoCal doesn't show up.
Blood for Blood in San Francisco, California was supposed to be SoCal's chance at redemption, but because many top players were unable to attend, it turned into another NorCal vs. NorCal grand finals.
All of SoCal's hopes were riding on G2's Weston "Westballz" Dennis, who was fighting his way through the loser's bracket. In the finals, Westballz had to go against Counter Logic Gaming's Kevin "PewPewU" Toy. Westballz is known for having a highly technical and fast Falco. PewPewU, however, stayed grounded, and punished Westballz for coming in with pure aggression. This didn't stop Westballz, as he continued to apply tons of pressure. Unfortunately, it was during the third game that Westballz caught the ire of Whispy.
There's a tree in the center of Dreamland that will blow a gust of wind. It was while Westballz was trying to get back on stage that Whispy threw out a gust, forcing him back on ledge. PewPewU took advantage of this and converted it into a stock. After the loss, Westballz took PewPewU back to Dreamland for Game 4, and lost. It put to rest all chances of a SoCal comeback.
In the grand finals, it was NorCal vs. NorCal with Splyce's Michael "Nintendude" Brancato against PewPewU. Nintendude was sitting comfortably, having sent PewPewU to the loser's bracket earlier on. But PewPewU was able to reset the bracket in the first set with a clean 3-0. In the second set of the grand finals, PewPewU continued his domination, and took the tournament 3-1.
One of the favorites going in had oddly called it quits in the middle of the tournament. Winterfox's DaJuan "Shroomed" McDaniel, representing NorCal, decided to forego Sheik and play Marth. But after losing early to Jeffrey "EastCoastJeff" Yuan, Shroomed disqualified himself from the event.
The lone East Coast representative, Ryan "The Moon" Coker-Welch had an impressive run. But after a dropped edgeguard against PewPewU in the Marth ditto during the winner's semifinals, he lost and was sent to the loser's bracket. There, he faced Westballz, and was cleanly defeated 0-3.
In doubles, it was an unsurprising Counter Logic Gaming sweep, as teammates Zachary "SFAT" Cordoni and PewPewU ran through the entire tournament without dropping a game.
After two NorCal sweeps in a row, it wouldn't be too surprising if SoCal calls back for a rematch, hopefully with more top talent in stow.