We’re previewing Schmoedown Spectacular this week with a look at the four title matches. Today is our final one, the battle for the singles championship between the current champion, Marisol McKee, and the number one contender, Griffin Newman.
What’s At Stake
This match may determine whether Korruption or the Finstock Exchange will win the faction race, and in a lot of ways that feels right. After all the singles title match at Spectacular is always the main event of the season. But even with that we have a special matchup here.
This match may determine whether Korruption or the Finstock Exchange will win the faction race, and in a lot of ways that feels right. After all the singles title match at Spectacular is always the main event of the season. But even with that we have a special matchup here.
One side we have Marisol McKee. McKee looking to secure her second defense. The only singles champions that have defended twice in the division are Dan Murrell and Samm Levine. A win would most likely put McKee in the top 10 legacies of all, especially since the win might secure Korruption the faction title. McKee is playing for both her faction and her legacy. A win would greatly her stature within the Schmoedown, cementing her place as the possible biggest star within the Schmoedown.
However, speaking of stars, what we are seeing from Griffin Newman is historic and seemingly impossible. To start out as a rookie go undefeated in singles and teams until Spectacular is mind blowing. No matter how it ends, his matches become a much watch because we are watching history be broken. However, there is a big difference between a win and loss. If Newman can win a belt let alone a singles belt, some may argue it’s having a top 10 legacy of all time after one season! Not to mention Newman might be heading into this match as a team’s champion. If Newman is able to win both his matches, he clearly becomes the biggest star within the Schmoedown.
This is which lies the true stakes of this match. Both McKee and Newman are two of the biggest stars of the Schmoedown. They are both huge draws and have great characters. They can get fans on their side despite both being on factions with heel natures. They are both magnetic while also having the trivia to back it up. I would argue they both have the elusive trivia/character combo. Truly it feels like these are the two biggest stars within the Schmoedown and the winner of this match becomes the face of the current Schmeodown.
The Argument for McKee Winning
So far McKee hasn’t shown any signs of weakness. Her only loss was to Paul Oyama, in match where Oyama pitched a perfect game accuracy and PPE wise. McKee is one of the most accurate champions we’ve had. Coming into this match McKee has an 89.31% which is very close to Newman current accuracy 90.09%. She is just as accurate as Newman but has played more matches and more 5 rounders. McKee has the experience edge, and Newman will likely be coming off a tough battle against Shazam! To play two matches on the same day is not the easiest feat. After all the last time someone played two matches at Spectacular was William Bibbanni and he lost both matches. Marisol’s excellence in the speed round could come in handy in this match and the fact Newman was so passive during his betting round against Barbarian despite being down was worrying. Newman will not be able to get way with that kind of mistake against Mckee. Mckee has been preparing for this match since she won against Chance Ellison. McKee with time to preparing is study is scary.
The Argument for Newman Winning
The same day Bibbiani played two matches at Spectacular, Ben Bateman was also attempting the same feat, and he ended the night winning both matches. There is a chance Newman is empowered or gains momentum from the large feat ahead of him. Plus, it’s just tough to bet against Newman. As I said in the teams preview, we may just be seeing a current unstoppable within the Schmoedown like Levine’s legendary run. To bet against that would be foolish. I’m living proof of that, given I’ve doubted Newman every step of the way, and every step of the way he has proved me wrong. It would feel weird to see Newman walk out of Spectacular without any belts, and most think this is the winnable matchup for Newman, given Shazam’s dominance. There’s a chance Newman will be great in the speed round given how quick he gets to his answers and how well he did against The Barbarian in the fast money round. Newman’s biggest strength is he doesn’t miss in the final round. This match will most likely come down to the final round if Newman can hit the final three questions, especially the five pointer, he will have put himself in a very good position to win.
Predictions
You may have noticed this article is a bit shorter than the rest. That’s because a lot of this I think is straight-forward. This for me is the toughest match to pick. It’s a great match in every aspect and there is no clear answer on who is going to win. I totally get both arguments for McKee and Newman and go back forth constantly. However, when it comes down to a coin flip as it does here, I’m going to go with my heart. I believe Marisol McKee will bring Korruption its 2nd faction title and join the class of Murrell and Levine as being that good of a singles champion.
