Key Takeaways:
- Zain defeated Hungrybox at GOML: Forever with an impressive run, only dropping five games total.
- His cartwheel pop-off on stage redefined expectations for post-victory celebrations in the Melee community.
- Zain has now won three straight GOML events, intensifying the battle for the top Melee player of 2025.
A Grand Finals for the Ages
Get On My Level: Forever wrapped up with a classic showdown between two titans of Super Smash Bros. Melee — Zain Naghmi and Juan ‘Hungrybox’ DeBiedma. While the tournament featured East vs. West regional hype and high-stakes bracket battles, the defining moment came not during gameplay, but right after. Zain, known for his calm demeanor, shocked fans with a full-on somersault across the stage after clinching victory in the Grand Finals.
The Marth main ran through the bracket with dominant form, dropping only five games the entire weekend. Hungrybox, meanwhile, had a more grueling road through the Losers bracket after an early upset, setting the stage for an intense finale.
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The Evolution of the Melee Pop-Off
In a scene driven by passion and grassroots support rather than prize money, emotional pop-offs have long been a staple of the Melee community. No player embodies that more than Hungrybox, who’s known for chair tosses, fainting, and tears on stage. But at GOML: Forever, the spotlight shifted to Zain, who broke his usual composure with a celebratory cartwheel that sent fans — and social media — into a frenzy.
Analysts and fans alike are calling it a new benchmark for the “pop-off meta,” with speculation that the flip was inspired by Jigglypuff’s in-game victory animation or a clever nod to rolling out of shield. Whether intentional or spontaneous, the moment cemented itself as one of the funniest and most unexpected celebrations in Melee history.
Zain’s GOML Legacy Grows
This win marks Zain’s third consecutive Get On My Level title, solidifying his place at the top of the 2025 competitive scene. His commanding performance not only reasserts his dominance over the current Melee meta but also adds fuel to the race for the #1 spot in the 2025 SSBMRank.
As for Hungrybox, fans expect a dramatic response in future events — and tournament organizers may want to keep the chairs bolted down.
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