(1)Zero vs (7)Pikachu 2018

Ulti's Analysis
So, uh... remember this match from way back in 2004? https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/poll/1768-20xx-division-semifinal-mega-man-vs-zero

Hmm.

Had this match happened one round earlier I probably would have dumped on Zero for not living up to the 1 seed line, but I think I've established my standard by now. If you're a 1 seed you have to at least make a divisional final unless you lose to a rally. Zero got lucky Pikachu wasn't a 4, 5, 8, or 9 seed, because he clearly would have gotten bodied by the little rat regardless of when this match happened. But it was a divisional final, so he at least gets to preserve his respect as a 1. I know I keep harping on this, but if you're not an NCAA fan you won't understand how much I respect the royalty of that number.

By the time this match happened, we pretty much all knew a 55-45 type of beating was coming, not that it was easy to watch for us Zero fans but hey: http://oraclechallenge.com/archives.php?contest=SC2k18&type=match&match=114

Pikachu for whatever reason was the only Pokemon to show up this year, and outside of Detective Pikachu it's not like he had some crazy advantage. Charizard, Mewtwo, and Red are all in Smash and all looked killer in the past. Maybe Pikachu got some extra mascot love, I dunno, but he put an ass whuppin on Zero that the other three clearly weren't going to replicate this year. This wasn't really a match, either, given the crazy Pokemon board vote burying Zero immediately.

It's worth noting here that the only time Zero has ever won a division was when Mega Man X helped carry him in the Rivalry Rumble. Zero himself always gets capped at this spot, and one wonders if he'll ever win a division on his own given this contest was a perfect opportunity for it.

Pikachu's reward for winning?

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7460/9073390256_7b46147cc3_b.jpg

A very winnable spot, actually. We already covered the 2004 comparison, but this one isn't far off either: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/poll/5265-character-battle-ix-bonus-battle-3-runners-up-battle