Thank you to TSR:ACT for sponsoring this episode of Trash Talk. Head to https://www.tsract.gg/ and use coupon code "trashtalk" for $30 off your Hypercube order, and a chance to win one for FREE until 4/24/25
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Trash Talk #11 - Justin Wong
Thank you to @jwonggg for coming on the show and sharing his story.
Depending on your definition of what counts as an EVO title, Justin Wong holds either 8 or 9 championships. And by any definition you choose, he has the most.
While there is no debate regarding Justin Wong being the greatest Marvel vs. Capcom 2 player of all time, his accolades span countless titles and iterations in the world of fighting games. If there was a tournament to be found for a fighting game, Justin Wong would find a way to win.
A champion competitor, successful content creator, host, and commentator, many may look at Justin’s illustrious career today and assume that he was destined to be a professional fighting game player, but when Justin began, the concept of a professional player, had not yet even been conceived.
In this episode of Trash Talk, I sit down with Justin Wong to discuss his foundational years in the world of fighting games, how playing these games professionally eventually became a real possibility, a detailed inside look at the business of being a pro fighting game player, numbers and all, and what’s next for Justin Wong, and the Fighting Game Community. Please enjoy
0:00 - Intro
3:09 - The First Sponsored Player?
4:44 - The early days of "pro" gaming
6:44 - When did you realize you could make money?
11:01 - Kidnapped to Virgina
19:17 -"I was actually thinking about retiring"
24:49 - Farming tournaments for fun and for profit
29:50 - The World is smaller, and games are learned faster
35:27 - Are top players forced to specialize now?
43:53 - Infamous Justin Woing moments
49:18 - Do moments outlive championships?
55:17 - Justin Wong: The ULTIMATE gamer
59:56 - The sponsorship era begins
1:06:06 - How to get sponsored in 2025 (kinda)
1:10:51 - Justin Wong: Bud Light All-Star
1:12:20 - The eSports bubble at its biggest
1:17:13 - The streaming era
1:21:26 - Evolution 2014
1:26:57 - Finding a new drive
1:32:52 - Justin Wong: Street Fighter League Captain
1:34:57 - Japan is the FGC Land of Opportunity
1:39:48 - Which games are the scrubbiest?
1:48:13 - The Greatest Fighting Game(s) of All Time
1:58:00 - Closing Thoughts
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