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The Top 5 Greatest Movie Melee Championship Matches

Written By Jake Maringoni

Rumble in the Jungle, Thrilla in Manila, Mayhem at the Multiplex—when the title is on the line, shit get real. Over the past seven years we’ve seen almost every scenario play out in a title match: new champs, defending champs, vacated titles, sudden death, records broken, tears shed—the whole shebang. But looking back at Melee’s history, which title matches truly stand out? With the help of two sexy Multiplex historians Michael Campbell and Payson Johnson, I’ve put together a list of what I believe are the top five greatest Movie Melee Championship matches. 

No. 5: The Concept vs. Clash at Demonhead II 

Perhaps slightly underrated as on paper it doesn’t look like anything extraordinary. The Concept had defeated Clash in the semifinals of that year’s tournament, with the rematch made possible through the first-ever triple-threat contender’s match. Clash triumphed over Light It Up and Blockbuster Video (the latter in sudden death, no less) to earn their shot. Despite Concept’s near-dominant lead through the first two rounds, Clash mounted an impressive comeback in rounds 3, 4, and 5, forcing Concept to hit their 4-pointer to secure the win. In a nail-biting finale, Concept, with the help of their lucky charm J-Law, clinched the match 30-27. Without X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Koho would have been a Melee champ—a weird world that would’ve been. Concept earned their second defense and extended their record-winning streak to 7. Perhaps I’m a bit too close to this match, but it deserves recognition, especially for Clash’s well-fought comeback. Watching Cameron and Kaleb hit that final 4-pointer is a sight to behold. It’s not about how you start the match; it’s about how you finish it. 

No. 4: Judgement City vs. Kumite 

Ah yes an incredibly chill and friendly match. Regardless of who you were rooting for, Kumite’s return to Melee began with wins over Bring Out Your Dead and Your Milwaukee Beers, even after the season break, they played in peak form setting the points record against the former. On the other side, Judgement City entered the year with two defenses and an even more impressive undefeated streak of 6-0. This is in my opinion is one of the closest matches in Melee’s history. JC led after round 1, Kumite took the lead after round 2 and held it through round 3, but round 4 swung it back in JC’s favor, ending 27-26. Despite Kumite’s best efforts, JC hit their 4-pointer, winning 34-33. This match solidified Judgement City as a GOAT-tier Championship Team, joining The Concept and Ginyu Force with their third defense. It’s legitimately an incredible match, even with the slight shade thrown in the post-match interview. No. 3: Judgement City vs. Ginyu Force III Judgement City achieved what no other team could: beat Ginyu Force twice. With JC winning the title in their rookie season and maintaining a historic 7-0 streak, it seemed no team could best them. But Ginyu Force, undeterred, made history by winning the annual melee team tournament a second time to earn a final rematch. Judgement City led by one point after round 1, but steals in round 2 gave Ginyu Force a small lead, which they held through round 3 in a parallel to the Kumite match, round 4 saw JC come back tying the score at 22-22. It came down to who would miss first—and it was Judgement City’s 3-pointer that gave Ginyu Force the edge ending hitting their 4-pointer to win the match 32-29. Ginyu Force became the first team ever to win the title three times, a truly impressive feat. This match serves as perhaps the best argument for Ginyu Force being the definitive GOAT Team in Melee; outside of The Concept and arguably Second Reel, they’ve defeated every elite team you could think of during their three-and-a-half-year run. Pretty damn impressive if you ask me. 

No. 2: The Concept vs. Wyld Stallyns III (Mayhem at the Multiplex IV) 

The end of an era, the swan song, the last dance (yes that was both a nod to Michael Jordan and Venom). Two titans of melee teams faced off for the third and final time on the second-biggest stage of the year. Concept won the first match, Stallyns took the second, and, like all great trilogies, the third match delivered a satisfying conclusion. Stallyns seemed to control the match from the beginning. That had a strong lead after round 1 with Joseph pitching a perfect round including getting the bonus question. They got a two-point steal in round 2. Going into round 4, they had an 8-point lead 26-18. However unlike the opening to LL Cool J’s hit 90s single Mama Said Knock You Out, it was most definitely a comeback despite Concept being there for years. They went 10/10 in both rounds 4 and 5 scoring more points in those two round then they did in the 3 before. Although tied, Stallyns hit their 4 winning the rubber match and earning them their second defence. It’s a crazy high scoring match ending 42-38 with Stallyns setting the five round points record. It was obviously a bittersweet ending for Michael and I as we announced the Concept’s retirement and the passing of the torch to Wyld Stallyns. They brought the best out of us and despite the loss, it’s a match that showed that no matter what, it ain’t over till it’s over. 

Before we get to no.1 let’s do a Watchmojo and bring up some honourable mentions. 

Andrew Barr vs. Joseph Olivas (The Final Act, 2021) 

Joesph Olivas, a former singles champ for about 2 hours. This match is still the only Melee title match to go to sudden death as of November 2024. The loss marked the end of Andrew Barr’s historic first title reign. This win also put Olivas into an elite group of champs who’ve won both singles and teams titles. 

Jake Meltzer vs. Caleb Boatman 

I’d go so far to say this is Caleb’s best performance in a title match. Despite losing to Meltzer for most of the match, Boat made a strong comeback in round 5 and won the belt for a record second time. It’s one of the highest scoring singles title matches ever and an impressive feat by both players. 

Back To Formula vs Blame Canada 

Feels kinda wrong to put it on the list when it pretty much just happened (though Payson felt it most definitely should make the list). Deserves a shoutout cause it had a lot going for it. It was a true Rocky scenario, an underdog run in Blame Canada, a seasoned former champ and title chasing vet in Back to Formula. Multiple lead changes, extremely high scoring. But let’s be real—the main reason for this mention is that Mark Menchaca is now a champion. LET’S FUCKING GOOOOOOO! 

No. 1: Andrew Barr vs. Caleb Boatman II 

You could be the best player yesterday, tomorrow, or in two years—but the only thing that matters is if you’re the best right then and there during the match. I think it’s objectively fair to say that Andrew Barr and Caleb Boatman are the two best singles players ever to play in Melee, with a rivalry as storied as any. Of their four face-offs (three of them title matches), the second is easily the best. Unlike their first encounter which featured a joint pre-match interview with singing and dancing, this one for Boat was all business. After a close round 1 that ended with Boat taking the slight lead 7-6, it was round 2 that tied it back up with Barr going 9/10 and Boat going 8/10 in their strength categories at 15/15. Both swept round 3 still tied at 23-23 but it was round 4 that gave Boat a 2 point lead going into the final round 29-27. Outside of Boat’s 1-pointer, both hit every question going into the 4-pointers, however just when you think you can count out the Pretentious Hack, he absolutely delivers somehow guessing the letter “R” to send it back to Boat, and yet even in the category of Oscars, he was unable to hit the 4 ending the game 37-34, with Barr extending his record to 4 defences and in my opinion solidifying him as the definitive singles GOAT of Melee. Even with the saltiness in the post match interview, I think seeing these two play at arguably the height of their powers, I also felt the list needed a singles match since it’s very teams heavy and with the amount of times these two played, I felt it should be at the top of the list. 

So that’s the top 5. I’d love to hear everyone’s favourite title matches whether they appeared on this list or not, do you agree or disagree? Should Back to Formula vs Blame Canada make the list? Let me know!