A significant controversy unfolded during the recent Deadpool Creator Cup, a high-stakes Marvel Rivals tournament with a prize pool of $40,000. The event took a dramatic turn when a player known as Kingsman265 was disqualified from the competition. The removal occurred after a heated clash with a teammate, Zazzastack, regarding the team’s hero composition and strategy.

The Dispute Over Team Composition

The argument began when Kingsman265 requested that Zazzastack switch heroes to create better synergy within the team. Zazzastack was known for playing exclusively as Black Widow, a character that may not have fit the team’s needs at that moment. Kingsman265 emphasized the importance of winning, stating that he needed the prize money to help pay for his college education. However, the disagreement did not end quickly. It dragged on for more than an hour across multiple game maps, which negatively affected the team’s morale and overall performance.

The pressure of the argument seemed to impact Zazzastack’s gameplay directly. During one of the matches, Zazzastack performed poorly, recording zero kills and five deaths. Despite the tension, the team captain, Cece, stepped in to try to resolve the issue. Cece asked Kingsman265 to drop the matter and stop arguing. The team even managed to win the next map with Zazzastack still playing as Black Widow, suggesting that the hero swap might not have been strictly necessary for victory.

Escalation and Disqualification

Despite the captain’s intervention, the situation escalated further. Zazzastack’s boyfriend, Kaplunk, became involved in the dispute. He took the matter to the tournament host, BasimZB, to file a complaint. The host reviewed the situation and ultimately decided to remove Kingsman265 from the tournament. The official reason given was Kingsman265’s “disrespectful tone” and the prolonged disruption he caused, even after being asked multiple times to stop arguing.

Audio clips from the incident captured the intensity of the moment. Kingsman265 was heard saying, “Guys, listen. You may not want the money, but I do. I need money for college.” Following his removal, he expressed his frustration, stating, “Wow. What a joke, bro. I just got to get removed.” Cece later provided a response video clarifying the situation. She explained that the decision was not solely about the desire for a hero swap. She emphasized that it was the tone of the conversation and the fact that it continued for over an hour, making the team uncomfortable, that led to the disqualification.

Aftermath and Apologies

In the days following the incident, those involved issued apologies on social media. Cece posted on X (formerly Twitter), admitting that she failed to de-escalate the conflict effectively as the team captain. She expressed regret for not handling the situation better to prevent the disqualification. Kaplunk also came forward to apologize for his role in the incident. He admitted to compiling a “one-sided” Google Doc containing video clips of the dispute to present to the tournament host, which likely influenced the decision to kick Kingsman265.

Both Cece and Kaplunk urged the gaming community not to harass Kingsman265 following the incident. They acknowledged that while the situation was handled poorly, personal attacks were not the answer. The saga highlights the fragile nature of team dynamics in the rapidly growing competitive scene of Marvel Rivals. Both sides of the dispute have shared their perspectives through YouTube videos, allowing the community to see the full picture of what happened during the Deadpool Creator Cup.