S3 R1 Knockouts Results + Semifinals Matchups
With the debut of a new knockouts format, the season 3 knockouts certainly had a different look to them than in seasons prior. The format change wasn’t a popular decision, but it certainly made it tougher for the judges to pick winners. In all but one group there was more than one blogger who stood a reasonable chance of advancing. Heck, even in hornets group there was a chance a sub would qualify over him due to Hornet’s apparent newfound infatuation with procrastination.
Unfortunately, we saw a surprising number of forfeits, despite competitors having 3+ weeks to write. The new format is not to blame for all the forfeits, y’all had plenty of time 😐 anywho it largely accomplished what we wanted as it limited forfeits. Using the Season 2 format, 4 bloggers would have advanced via forfeit. We only had that happen once on this format - and even that could have been prevented had we known sooner that a sub would be needed. As far as I’m concerned, despite the high number of bloggers who failed to post this week, I think the format worked just fine this week. But feel free to disagree 🙃
Starting in Group A we had top-seeded @mugiwara taking on BlogChamps veteran @the_turtlepro and @OnyxOrca, who subbed in for @frog who decided to stop wasting time doing stupid things on here and instead focus on life - perhaps we could learn from him! Personally, this was one of my favorite groups, I believe they all posted very good blogs, and the two who did not win here I believe would have won some of the other groups. However, be that as it may…. The judges are all in agreement that @mugiwara posted the best blog here, and he shall advance to the semifinals.
On to Group B we had a fascinating battle between BlogChamps rookies @xPOPPIN and @nbrasington, and BlogChamps veteran @lukegk. Another very close group with 3 stellar submissions. However, the majority of the judges gave the slight edge to @nbrasington here in a 3-2 victory. Nice accomplishment to make it to the semis as a rookie 👀
In Group C we had less drama as tournament favorite @fire posted a stellar submission, and it was enough for the judges to give him the nod here over @taken despite him posting one of his best blogs thus far. @HaminaSandwich, who had been all talk early this season, and is now apparently a suspected alt account of @yeat (isn’t everyone now?), closed his account and failed to submit a blog. If we’re being totally honest, he wasn’t gonna best Fire here, but it would have been fun to see him try to while claiming he’s a better blogger than Fire 🙃
Now in Group D we have likely future top blogger @NiTheGuy taking on @IoisIane, who provided some late drama for us by posted mere minutes before the deadline. @HarshSaberTwitch was also in this group but unfortunately was unable to post on time. As for Ni and Iois, they both posted excellent blogs here, but it seems that the judges favored Ni in this one, and he will be advancing to the semis.
Group E… probably the toughest for me to judge. @Alberthepirate, @Xhive24, and @Duckfest, they all posted pretty good blogs and not one of them was clearly better than the other. This was the last result we decided, actually. It was in a 2-2 tie… and in the end, it was indeed @Xhive24 who prevailed and will advance to the semis. Quite a shocking run for the new king of procrastinating.
Group F was oh so competitive. @Fayez58 and @bid were both unable to post… and @HornetCruise inexplicably took forever to submit the blog we literally all knew he was going to submit. For some time I wondered if someone from another group would end up winning Group F. Or maybe nobody would win the group and we would eliminate Group F entirely, because why not? But in the end, @HornetCruise did, to the surprise of pretty much no one, submit his blog written primarily by others, and he manages to skip to the semis.
In Group G we had group favorite @JoshPrice taking on often confident @Lethal_knights and Willow-obsessed @little_guinea_pig. Unfortunately we received deeply sad news from @JoshPrice this week as he lost a loved one and has been extremely busy. Prayers up for Josh and his family here, y’all 🙏🏼 hate to hear such news, and I pray for peace, strength, wisdom, and comfort to you and your family, my friend. Let me know if you need anything.
That left us with Lethal and LGP… and here the judges all agree that between two very good blogs, Lethal simply posted the better blog, and will advance to the semis.
Finally, in Group H we had @AstroTheoretical_Physics taking on judge simp @Shanlee132. @Muhammadabaza was in this group as well but did not post. This group was another that was super close. Astro or Shan, Astro or Shan. Did Shan say enough about the judges in his blog to get all the votes? Or was Astro’s post simply better? Pfttt I had no clue what would happen… it was close… but in the end, Astro prevailed 3-2 and will advance to the semis.
Congratulations to @Mugiwara, @nbrasington, @fire, and @NiTheGuy for advancing to Group A in the semifinals! That is an absolutely stacked group…
Congratulations as well to @Xhive24, @HornetCruise, @Lethal_Knights, and @AstroTheoretical_Physics for advancing to Group B in the semifinals! One of you is one blog away from the championship… 👀
Power rankings, awards, and round 2 submission threads will be posted throughout the day, stay tuned for that.
Congrats to everyone who advances, you’re in the Season 3 Elite 8 and are 2 epic blogs away from being crowned BlogChampion. To all who have been eliminated, I thank you for your time in this competition, y’all did awesome. Everyone who made it here earned their spot. I hope you’ll return for future seasons and continue to become better bloggers.
Thats all for now. Happy blogging!
