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The Innergeekdom division, or IG as it’s commonly referred to, is arguably the deepest and most competitive division in the history of the Movie Trivia Schmoedown. An argument could be made for Star Wars, especially over the last couple of seasons, but IG remains one of the toughest and most challenging for competitors. Rigorous training and study sessions are required to even consider tackling IG, due to the heavily specific nature of the questions. With that all on the table, let’s take a look at the title itself and the alarming statistics that come with the history of being an Innergeekdom champion.
We just saw Mike ‘The Killer’ Kalinowski, a legend of the game, claim his third reign at the Innergeekdom title, by defeating his longtime rival and equally high caliber player, Mara Knopic. Three title reigns in any division in the Schmoedown is impressive enough, but to pull that off in IG really makes one tip their cap to Mike and all he has done in this league. The only other player to have three or more title runs is another current champion, Dan Murrell, but that is in singles and he is widely accepted among the fanbase as the greatest player of all time. So, how did we get here and how likely is it that Mike will hold that title for very long? The answers may surprise you.
The Innergeekdom title was introduced on December 23, 2016, and it was won by Robert Meyer Burnett in a fatal five-way match against Hector Navarro, John Campea, Jeremy Jahns, and Ashley V. Robinson. Since that match, the title has been on the line thirteen times. However, it has only successfully been defended by the champion three times. Two of those times were within the first year and a half of the title’s existence, Hector Navarro defended against Jeremy Jahns on July 7, 2017, and Jason Inman defended against Mark Donica on April 24, 2018. The most recent successful defense was Chandru Dhandapani against Chance Ellison at the Spectacular on December 12, 2020. Even the greats like Rachel Cushing and Kevin Smets have never successfully defended the IG title. Mike Kalinowski, on his third reign, also has never defended. The numbers favor the challenger over the champion 10-3 in IG title matches.
So, why is it that the challenger so often beats the champion? Is the belt cursed perhaps? Sure, you are allowed to come up with your own ideas. It may actually have more to do with the quality at which the top level of competitors perform. The IG division has been stacked with so many incredibly talented players over the last few seasons. With such heavy hitters constantly playing great matches, it provides a large field of competition. Thus, these many players are able to match the gameplay of the champions.
Another thing that can happen is a player can be fresher by having to play a number one contender match or a series of matches in a tournament, while the champion has to sit and wait for their challenger. Mara Knopic won her match against Chandru Dhandapani to become a two-time IG champion all the way back on February 19, 2021. Mike’s match against Alex Damon to earn a shot at the title aired live on April 30, 2021. Mike got to play two matches in the span of about a month, whereas Mara had not played a match in two months, when she dropped the title to Mike in the match that aired on May 21, 2021.
You can see how these scenarios may give the competitor vying for the title a slight edge. It is usually smart money to bet on the challenger in an IG title match. Mike Kalinowski may have just become the first-ever three-time Innergeekdom champion, but he will have to be looking over his shoulder at the likes of Robert Parker, Chance Ellison, and Chandru Dhandapani. All of whom certainly have what it takes to beat Mike at Collision on July 10, 2021.
