CEO 2025 defined the first half of 2025 for the FGC world

CEO 2025 returned to Orlando, Florida (hosted at the Rosen Shingle Creek) from June 13–15, marking its 15th annual iteration. The event filled more than 200,000 square feet with world-class competition, drawing over 4,000 competitors across 19 official games and a host of side tournaments. Its lineup not only featured the established circuit titles but also shined a spotlight on community-run brackets and indie-friendly events. With a multi-channel streaming setup (11 Twitch channels streamed the games live), the organizers ensured that fans around the world had uninterrupted access to every match and schedule update.

Detailed Tournament Results and Announcements

Super Smash Bros. Melee

One of the most talked-about moments was the Super Smash Bros. Melee bracket, headlined by none other than Hungrybox. Despite an early hiccup that forced him to switch controllers mid-game, Hungrybox established a remarkable 7–1 record to secure the championship. His journey was filled with dramatic highs—intense rallies against top pros like Wizzrobe—and emotional expressions of triumph reminiscent of his Evo victories. His win not only added another prestigious title to his resume (following a recent Genesis X2 victory) but also resonated deeply with fans, making for one of the most memorable moments of the weekend.

Results

  1. Onin (Steve)
  2. MU|ApolloKage (Snake)
  3. SR|Kola (Roy, Cloud)
  4. Ploopy (Mr. Game & Watch)
  5. HyperKirby (Roy)

Street Fighter 6

As an official Capcom Pro Tour event, Street Fighter 6 saw a massive turnout with nearly 840 entrants. The tournament not only served as a qualifier for the Capcom Cup but also featured the debut of the new game patch (including the long-awaited introduction of Elena and a special Switch 2 launch). Top-tier competitors clashed in high-stakes matches, with the bracket reflecting both the evolving metagame and fresh strategic approaches from players adapting to the update. Each win in the tournament pushed competitors closer to earning an invite to the Esports World Cup, making every match a critical battle.

Results

  1. DRX|Leshar (Mai, Terry, Ed)
  2. Falcons|NL (Akuma)
  3. FLY|Punk (Cammy, Ryu)
  4. KSG|Zhen (M. Bison, Dee Jay)
  5. FAV|Ryukichi (Ken)

Tekken 8

Tekken 8’s tournament was billed as a Master Tier event on the Tekken World Tour, drawing approximately 650 players who fought for one of four qualification spots. The matches were fierce and strategically complex, with players like Falcons|Atif and DNF|Ulsan delivering standout performances. The tournament results not only determined the advancement of the top eight but also signaled important shifts in player lineups and game strategies heading into the global finals.

Results

  1. Falcons|Atif (Anna, Dragunov)
  2. DNF|Ulsan (Lars, Dragunov, Reina)
  3. TM|Arslan Ash (Nina, Zafina, Anna)
  4. VIT|JeonDDing (Eddy)
  5. DNF|Meo-IL (JACK-8, Victor)

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

In the Fatal Fury segment, competitors vied in what was also a qualifying event for the SNK World Championship. The bracket—featuring over 460 skilled players—boasted a dramatic series of matches where the “Lone Wolves” eventually emerged victorious in an intense night of competition. The title’s evolution, complete with significant meta changes, demanded that players adapt quickly, and those who could, claimed their valuable spots for the next level of international play.

Results

  1. KSG|Xiaohai (Billy, Hotaru)
  2. Saishunkan|Nemo (Billy)
  3. IGZIST|KojiKOG (Billy)
  4. Falcons|E.T. (Hokutomaru)
  5. Reject|Laggia (Hotaru)

Mortal Kombat 1

At Mortal Kombat 1, recognized as a Kombatant Tier event on the Mortal Kombat Pro Kompetition circuit, players competed for two crucial qualification chances. With high-energy battles punctuating the tournament, every round was a test of both strategy and raw fighting talent. The tournament further cemented CEO 2025’s role as a gateway to the global stage for serious competitors in one of the most iconic fighting game franchises.

Results

  1. STG|Onlinecale213 (Kung Lao, Homelander, T-1000)
  2. 2G|SnakeDoe (Havik)
  3. PAR|Rewind (Reiko, Ermac)
  4. Grr (Geras)
  5. Rez|Dyloch (General Shao)

Additional Titles and Community Engagement

Beyond the marquee qualifiers, CEO 2025 also hosted tournaments for titles such as Guilty Gear Strive, Brawlhalla, and several legacy games like Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. The Brawlhalla Mid-Season Championship, in particular, introduced innovative gameplay elements (like the new Chakram weapon), which not only refreshed the competitive dynamics but also stirred excitement among returning fans.

On the side, community-run brackets spanned titles including Killer Instinct, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and Vampire Savior—further underlining CEO 2025’s commitment to embracing the diversity of the fighting game community. In addition, the Jebailey World 24-hour arcade experience kept the event buzzing with indie games and tabletop activities, ensuring that every moment was filled with entertainment

Guilty Gear Strive — Results

  1. Kshuewhatdamoo (Johnny)
  2. TSM|Leffen (Happy Chaos)
  3. FLY|NitroNY (Leo, Giovanna, Jack-O)
  4. PAR|Jack (Happy Chaos)
  5. TNS|MFCR (Leo)

Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising — Results

  1. PAR|Zane (Grimnir)
  2. ONi|BlueSkyGuyBSG (Vaseraga)
  3. PAR|BEPaw (Ferry, Metera)
  4. GGC|Real Ice (Zeta)
  5. CHJ|CharCharRealSmooth (Vira)

Super Smash Bros. Melee — Results

  1. Liquid|Hungrybox (Jigglypuff)
  2. Envy|Wizzrobe (Captain Falcon)
  3. Spiral|MOF (Ice Climbers)
  4. DTL|Wevans (Samus)
  5. JChu (Pikachu)

Brawlhalla — Results

  1. Iores (Dusk)
  2. LGN|BalloonBoy (Vivi)
  3. SiB|Wess (Tezca, Red Raptor)
  4. Acno? (Diana, Ragnir)
  5. Kingdom|Kyna (Teros)

Under Night In-Birth 2 [Sys:celes] — Results

  1. BBB|Defiant (Hyde, Akatsuki, Londrekia)
  2. PAR|BigBlack (Byakuya)
  3. PCF|!ssei (Hyde)
  4. LAGr|Argen (Waldstein)
  5. Malarky (Nanase, Wagner)

Rivals of Aether 2 — Results

  1. SC|Sophilo (Zetterburn)
  2. CakeAssault (Forsburn, Fleet)
  3. Ant (Ranno)
  4. LG|Marlon (Orcane)
  5. Elkiies (Maypul)

Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike — Results

  1. TMG|MOV (Chun-Li)
  2. FrankieBFG (Ken)
  3. Arlieth (Makoto)
  4. Justin Wong (Chun-Li)
  5. ONIC|NYChrisG (Ken, Chun-Li, Yang, Sean)

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 — Results

  1. TNS|LiberalTerminator (Nova, Spencer, Dr. Doom)
  2. MASH|Escalante (Magneto, Morrigan, Dr. Doom)
  3. FLY|RayRay (Magneto, Dr. Doom, Sentinel)
  4. ONIC|NYChrisG (Morrigan, Dr. Doom, Vergil)
  5. Mothman (M.O.D.O.K., Morrigan, Phoenix)

BlazBlue: Central Fiction — Results

  1. XCaliburBladez (Carl)
  2. 7C|Don (Relius)
  3. Fuzzama (Hazama)
  4. MTE|Killakobes (Bang)
  5. Quetzagoatl (Susanoo)

Capcom vs. SNK 2 — Results

  1. Coates|Bas (A-Groove: Yamazaki, M. Bison, Blanka)
  2. Justin Wong (C-Groove: Sagat)
  3. EricTurbo (A-Groove: Blanka, Sakura, M. Bison | A-Groove: Iori, Sakura, Blanka)
  4. Silentscope (K- Groove: Chang, Morrigan, Rugal)
  5. CEO|Jebailey (K-Groove: Cammy, Hibiki, Blanka | Others)

Super Street Fighter 2: Turbo — Results

  1. ZombieDamage (Fei Long)
  2. Damdai (O. Ken, O. Ryu, Ryu)
  3. Washed09er (Balrog, Vega)
  4. Silentscope (Cammy)
  5. Zoolander (Dee Jay)

Dragon Ball FighterZ — Results

  1. LegendaryyMuffin (Super Baby 2, Master Roshi, Krillin)
  2. Lucar (Trunks, Videl, Android 16)
  3. GarlicBread (Super Baby 2, Captain Ginyu, Krillin)
  4. PAR|Zane (Goku Black, Fused Zamasu, Beerus)
  5. VIT|CientifiKOF (Blue Gogeta, SS4 Gogeta, Vegito)

Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 — Results

  1. KTP (May)
  2. DC|Mystic (Baiken)
  3. FF|ElvenShadow (Faust)
  4. Yousagi (Johnny)
  5. Foo (Kum)

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core +R — Results

  1. Hotta (Justice)
  2. FF|ElvenShadow (Faust)
  3. EX Jejsbee (May)
  4. Dummy (Robo-Ky)
  5. TSB|Pandabetic (Faust)

Florida vs. The World 10v10 Exhibition (Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3) — Results

Team Florida

  • NickBad (Captain America, Deadpool, Strider)
  • FLY|Punk (Wolverine, Dr. Doom,. Vergil)
  • Hyorinmaru9th (Chun-Li, Morrigan, Phoenix)
  • KJMasta (Morrigan, Dr. Doom, Vergil)
  • Jc6666 (Captain America, Dr. Doom, Dormammu)
  • Ronan Healy (Taskmaster, Dr. Doom, Sentinel)
  • Tjinr (Hulk, Sentinel, Haggar)
  • Flocker (Zero, Vergil, Hawkeye)
  • Syntax (Nova, Spencer, Magneto)
  • LiberalTerminator (Nova, Spencer, Dr. Doom)

Team The World

  • FrankieG (Magneto, Dr. Doom, Vergil)
  • DualKevin (Deadpool, Dante, Hawkeye)
  • TA Wolf (Haggar, Spencer, Dr. Doom)
  • iDom (Dante, Dormammu, Dr. Strange)
  • 1nsiide (Wesker, Sentinel, C. Viper)
  • TT|Dylnyan (Zero, Dr. Doom, Dante)
  • Mothman (M.O.D.O.K., Morrigan, Phoenix)
  • Romora (Zero, Dr. Doom, Vergil)
  • MASH|Escalante (Magneto, Morrigan, Dr. Doom)
  • FLY|RayRay (Magneto, Dr. Doom, Sentinel)

CEO 2025 proved to be more than just a tournament series—it was an immersive celebration of skill, community, and evolving gaming cultures. The high-caliber results, from Hungrybox’s unforgettable Melee championship to the nail-biting finishes in Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Fatal Fury, and Mortal Kombat 1, have set the stage for the coming global qualifiers and championship events. Moving forward, fans and competitors alike will be keeping a close eye on how these tournaments shape the competitive landscape and influence future game balancing and strategic shifts in the FGC.

If you’re curious to explore bracket specifics—such as the complete rankings in Street Fighter 6 or the top eight breakdown for Tekken 8—or want to discuss how CEO 2025 might impact the esports calendar for the rest of the year, there’s plenty more to dive into. The evolving storylines from this year’s event continue to inspire the community as they look toward new challenges in upcoming tournaments.

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