One year ago today, Matt Hoey sat in this very hall to compete in the Finals of SHONEN JUMP Championship Indianapolis against Fili Luna. Luna defeated him with Blackwings to take his fourth SHONEN JUMP Championship win, and Hoey was left in second place. Now he’s back with X-Sabers and an undefeated record in this tournament. Today, Hoey hopes to make up for his past loss.

But his opponent won’t make that easy. Anthony Meier is playing an anti-meta Deck jam-packed with cards selected just to beat X-Sabers. Doomcaliber Knight, Thunder King Rai-Oh, Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo, and more are going to make this a very long (or perhaps very short) Match.

Meier started the Match with Doomcaliber Knight and 2 Set cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone.

Hoey had Mind Crush, Torrential Tribute, 2 Books of Moon, Giant Trunade, and XX-Saber Faultroll – not a lot of action yet. He Set Torrential and Set a Book.

Meier destroyed Torrential with Mystical Space Typhoon, then Normal Summoned Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo. Both monsters made direct attacks, putting Hoey down to 4900 Life Points.

Hoey drew XX-Saber Darksoul. He spent a moment reading Fossil Dyna’s text, then activated Giant Trunade to clear the Spell and Trap Card Zones. He activated Book of Moon, turned Fossil Dyna face-down, and attacked it with Darksoul, trying to trigger its effect. When the effect of Fossil Dyna activated (which it did, even though there was nothing it could destroy), Doomcaliber’s effect activated in response. Doomcaliber was Tributed to negate Fossil Dyna’s effect, it negated the effect of Fossil Dyna, and then it destroyed Fossil Dyna. Suddenly both of Meier’s monsters were gone! A brilliant, resourceful play from Hoey. He Set 2 cards to finish his turn.

Meier drew to 5 cards in-hand. Hoey flipped Mind Crush, called Bottomless Trap Hole, and actually guessed correctly. Meier discarded 1 copy, and revealed the rest of his hand: Cyber Dragon, Sakuretsu Armor, Book of Moon, and Royal Oppression. Meier Special Summoned Cyber Dragon and ran over Darksoul to drop Hoey to 1700 Life Points. Meier Set 2 cards to his back row, and Hoey searched his Deck for XX-Saber Fulhelmknight.

Hoey drew another Fulhelmknight, Summoned it, and ended.

Meier Summoned Thunder King Rai-Oh, attacked, and Hoey turned it face-down with Book of Moon. Cyber Dragon attacked and Fulhelmknight’s effect kept it from being destroyed.

Hoey drew another Darksoul, Summoned the other Fulhelmknight, and attacked with the first into Sakuretsu Armor. The second Fulhelmknight attacked, Meier flipped Book of Moon to stop the attack, and Hoey conceded.

Some amazing plays from Matt Hoey, but they aren’t enough to dig him out of that opening hand! Anthony Meier is a single victory away from becoming a YCS winner! Both competitors made extensive use of their Side Decks.

Hoey started the second Duel with X-Saber Pashuul, Divine Wrath, Mystical Space Typhoon, Book of Moon, X-Saber Airbellum, and Bottomless Trap Hole. He Set Bottomless and Pashuul.

Meier Summoned Doomcaliber Knight, Hoey flipped Bottomless Trap Hole, and Doomcaliber Knight was removed. Meier Set 2 cards to his back row.

Hoey drew Torrential Tribute. He Set Divine Wrath and Typhoon.

Meier Summoned Thunder King Rai-Oh, attacked into Pashuul, and destroyed Pashuul in Main Phase 2 with Smashing Ground.

Hoey drew XX-Saber Emmersblade. He Set a Spell or Trap.

Meier Summoned Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo, Hoey responded with Torrential Tribute, and got blasted with Starlight Road. Meier couldn’t Summon Stardust Dragon, but he kept his monsters. Thunder King Rai-Oh attacked Ememrsblade, and Fossil Dyna made a direct attack.

Hoey Summoned X-Saber Airbellum, attacked, and lost his monster to Dimensional Prison. He then activated Gold Sarcophagus, removing XX-Saber Boggart Knight from his Deck in Main Phase 2. He Set his last card to his Spell and Trap Card Zone. He had just the 2 cards Set there, with the Boggart Knight removed.

Meier drew to 2 cards in hand, and attacked directly with both Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo and Thunder King. Hoey had 3700 Life Points. Meier Set a Spell or Trap.

Hoey passed.

Meier Summoned Spirit Reaper, attacked, and when Reaper’s effect triggered, Hoey discarded a Divine Wrath to pay for the one he activated! Reaper was destroyed, Hoey blocked Thunder King Rai-Oh with Book of Moon, and took a direct shot from Fossil Dyna.

Hoey got his Boggart Knight, activated Saber Slash to try and destroy Fossil Dyna, but was denied by Solemn Judgment! Hoey attacked with Thunder King, but Book of Moon stopped him and turned Thunder King face-down

Meier destroyed Boggart Knight by attacking it with Fossil Dyna, attacked directly with Thunder King, and Hoey conceded a turn later!

Matt Hoey goes undefeated all weekend, but meets his match in Anthony Meier and his anti-meta Deck! Anthoney Meier is our new Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series winner!