If you tuned in expecting a tBush watch party this weekend, sorry. The Challengers Cup running Saturday and Sunday does not feature the Elite teams (hence the very on-brand 'Pup Cup' label), so BUSH and STUSH are off until midweek. The one remaining piece of business is the 5th and final NA Elite group match on Wednesday 6/10 around 6pm ET, and it is strictly a seeding exercise at this point.
The official heads-up that there is no tBush action until Wednesday, with the weekend Challengers event labeled a Pup Cup since the Elite squads are not in it.
🚨REMINDER: There is NO @tBushGaming in action this weekend. 5th & final Elite Group Match is Wednesday 6/10 @ ~6pm ET Both BUSH & STUSH return on Wednesday This weekend there is a Challengers Cup BUT is does NOT include the Elite Teams, aka a Pup Cup 🐶🏆. #Unshaven🌳
How we got here is the fun part. Thursday night was a true Barstool Gaming doubleheader, with both rosters running Best of 5s back-to-back against CABAL, Torn and OMiT Brooklyn. STUSH ran out to a 2-0 start on Torn before dropping Map 3, then took the series on a Scar Hardpoint to move to 3-1 on the night. BUSH and CABAL went the distance and traded an 11-round SnD and a Map 5 grinder before splitting.
The Match 3 wrap: two Round 11s in the series, BUSH and STUSH both to 2-1, with the second matches loading up against OMiT Brooklyn and CABAL.
MATCH 3 - MAP 5 UPDATES: BUSH vs CABAL: 2-2 TIE Colossus HP: 250-122 Gridlock SnD: 5-6 (up 5-1) Scar Ovl: 7-3 Gridlock HP: 146-250 Raid SnD: 5-6 Two Round 11s dropped that series STUSH move to 2-1 BUSH move to 2-1 2nd Matches: BUSH vs OMiT Brooklyn STUSH vs CABAL @tBushGaming @StallionsCOD #Unshaven🌳
The late slate is where things actually got nervy. STUSH ran into a buzzsaw against undefeated CABAL and got swept, ending the night 2-2 with the playoff math suddenly squishy. Meanwhile BUSH dug out of a 0-1 hole against OMiT Brooklyn behind a 34/16 Gridlock from Capsidal, then closed it on Den HP to lock up a 3-1 night. Tiebreakers did the rest.
The official confirmation that both BUSH and STUSH are in the Elite Stage 4 Playoffs, with 6/10 left for seeding reps.
BOTH THE BUSH & STUSH HAVE QUALIFIED FOR NA ELITE STAGE 4 PLAYOFFS! 1 Group Match next Wed 6/10 for extra reps PLAYOFFS SECURED! @tBushGaming: @ProluteB @Capsidal_ @CammyMVP @traaixx #BUSH @StallionsCOD x BUSH: @5SkiL @Manny7F @SwootyWRLD @OkisFN #STUSH #Unshaven🌳
So here is where the bracket sits. BUSH (3-1) draws Stallions in the final group match. STUSH (2-2) gets OMiT Brooklyn. Playoffs open Thursday 6/11 with WR1, WR2 and LR1 — meaning the better STUSH plays Wednesday, the easier the opening side of the bracket gets. No pressure, no Pup Cup, just one match to set the table.
The ICYMI graphic laying out the matchups for 6/10 and the playoff start on 6/11.
Either way, the goal for the org going into the back half of Stage 4 was 'get both teams in,' and they got both teams in. Now it is about not sleepwalking through a meaningless-looking group match and giving away a seed. Wednesday at 6pm ET.