Be it the draw or the choke, be it the format or fate, I guess we just have to live with the “What if…?”

2017

SSG vs RNG: Samsung got better as the tournament progressed but Uzi was set in the position to win his promised Worlds with the ideal Ardent Censer meta. RNG 2-0 SSG in their group and even the Rise MV captured this as Ambition never shown defeating Uzi as he did with the others. Truly would have been a much better Grand Final imo. But of course, as we all know, Faker forced Riot to change tournament MVP to Final MVP… (I’m still salty as a Faker fan).

Honorable mention:

EDG vs LZ: the LPL1 vs LCK1 showdown that would have been cool.

2018

FNC vs G2: ok I know you might want to see C9-G2 but I think G2 knocking out Golden Road builder RNG then having to watch FNC play the Grand Final was a bit unfair. The EU el classico in World Semifinals would have been so sick and probably more competitive, compared to what we actually got after Quarterfinals.

Honorable mention:

RNG vs KT; RNG vs IG: RNG is really the disappointing-all-fans-at-Worlds GOAT, is it not?

2019

SKT vs FPX: Once again, we were robbed of the LCK1-LPL1 meeting, which has become somewhat a tradition by now. Especially with the scrim rumor, I would imagine it being a more competitive series than the Grand Final. Nevertheless, G2 earned its spot there.

G2 vs IG: unfortunately denied at both MSI and Worlds, “the greatest team Europe has ever produced” still never proved that they can actually beat top LPL teams. Caps vs Rookie and Perkz vs JL in a Bo5 would be so fun to watch.

Honorable mention

GRF vs… the Bo5 curse: such a shame how that roster ended with almost nothing to show in Bo5, considering the caliber of players they had, even 2-1 G2 in Group without cvMax. I would pay to see those 2018 scrim games…

2020

DWG vs TES: though I think the LCK1 was just pure dominant that tournament, god damn it LPL1

Honorable mention

G2 vs C9: the whole MSI was robbed from us

FNC vs GENG: I just want to see how FNC would fair against other second tier Asian teams.

2021

T1 vs EDG: Korea lost fair and square, but never had the chance to field the true “LPL killer”. Considering they went 1-1 in Group B in high quality games and the history between them, this would have been a true international showdown. Instead, we got very good Semis and Final but quite a few anticlimactic domestic team kills.

2022

JDG/RNG/EDG vs GENG/DK: honestly, any of these would be so nice to watch, as this tournament was one of the closest skill gap in the Top 8 Too 7. Some of the matchups would have been so hype and dramatic. DRX really wrote a Cinderella story here.

Honorable mention

G2 vs C9: another EU-NA Bo5 that would have been so goooood but never meant to be…

2023

JDG vs GENG: our latest episode in the LCK1-LPL1 drama where we all wanna see male and female main bang each other reallll good, but it’ll never happen. Come on!!! Ruler vs his old team, Chovy vs Knight, Peanut vs Kanavi, etc. And we were robbed TWICE. Riot should really consider some friendly Bo5s or even Bo3s during the week-long break between the Knockout Stage weekends, be it just for fun or for regional honor.

Honorable mention

KT vs LNG/BLG: if only KT hadn’t picked T1…