Tom Brady
Champion
So Rico doesn't get any credit for being a great player? I kind of disagree with that.
Rico beat Tom not just due to the matchup, but because of the fact that Tom continued to throw out From the Deep over and over without regard to the fact that it's full-divekick-punishable. Also If I recall, Dizzy had a bout with interactibles at CEO that have since been toned down, KDZ wins against AM consistently, and AM players have lost to KFs, GLs, an Ares, Batman, and other characters.
I just don't see where people get off saying that Black Adam is the SOLE reason that every AM other than Riyo has lost the ability to make Top 8.
After the patch I expect the rest of the Aquaman players to keep getting blown up and find excuses for it, while Riyo continues to stay quiet and play consistently well.
I think part of the ticket to Riyo making Top 8 at SJ was the fact that he grinds it out at locals every week. He plays the best player in the game in tournament on a regular basis instead of running away from him. That has to count for something.
Likewise for Rico; he put in serious work -- we could just as easily start a "what happened to the other Black Adams" thread.
I put in BY FAR the most work of any Aquaman player. my BIGGEST problem was Black Adam. When was the last time I lost to Ares? and I fight the best Ares out there. I do fine against every character other than BA. I lost to GL ONE AND ONLY ONE time out of 99999999999999 successful matches. Batamn.. when was the last time a Batman even came close to beating me? Not only that, I am the ONLY Aquaman to have competitive sets vs Rico and even managed to beat him in one tourney set. Other Aquaman's may struggle vs HG's, NW's, GL's, KF, etc but I do not. There is nothing so irritating as to put so much more work than any other Aquaman, then get blown up by jackass' after losing to Rico again and again, or to FK's BA, or to PL's BA, and every other BA that has beaten me.
You want to say I dont put in work? ok.. yeah.. thats the problem. NO.. the problem is that no matter how much work I put in, it didnt matter. Same bad draw and same losing effort. It literally had me want to quit the game..
EDIT:
Also, ppl leave other AM's alone. I go on a 2 month hiatus and say nothing but still get blown up. Did you ever see me vs RIYO at the break? or vs Flawed in the FT5 at TFC? Should I have lost.. BLOWN THE FUCK UP. and why? isn't RIYO a good player? YES! he is.. yet its ok for him to lose the AM mirror to me and be left alone but god help me if I would have lost. Oher AM players have very little expectations placed on them, so when they lose to HQ, NW, BA, etc.. they dont get blasted for it. I lose to BA almost every tourney and I get blasted as if I just lost a 7-3 in MU in my favor and just cant deliver.
After my losses at CEO, EVO, NL, Yestercades, SJ, the break .. I think I know I fell short of beating my master. I think I know i needed to do better. I do not need ppl that CLAIM they support me to rub my nose in it and then pretend like I dont GRIND and put in serious work.