JDG brutally defeated by DK.

As the Nirvana World Championship started, many LPL fans focused on this matchup, given that the teams involved are ranked 5th to 7th in other regions. Fans hoped to see how LPL compares to LCK, but what shattered many LPL supporters was seeing JDG, the LPL’s fifth seed, get utterly crushed and swept by LCK’s fifth seed DK. JDG was thoroughly outplayed by DK both in laning and team fights.

After seeing this result, many LPL fans grew worried about LPL's prospects in the S15 World Championship. JDG barely qualified by narrowly defeating IG in the play-in stage, yet they were soundly beaten by DK. Some fans joked that DK's mid laner, Xu "Showmaker," isn’t just “qu” but a champion mid laner. Before the match, many LPL fans were keenly watching the duel between DK’s mid laner Showmaker and JDG’s mid laner Scout, as both had received mixed reputations in the league. After the game, many joked that Scout was the real “qu king.”

All-Chinese roster achieves first victory

Following JDG’s heavy loss to DK, many viewers feared the all-Chinese roster WBG would be defeated by GAM, especially since WBG hadn’t beaten JDG in the play-in stage. Fortunately, WBG’s jungler Tian performed consistently throughout the match, leading WBG to a clean sweep against GAM. Despite the win, many LPL fans expressed dissatisfaction with WBG’s performance, citing numerous mistakes in the BO3 series, with some even humorously lamenting that “LPL is doomed.”

Besides the gameplay, the organizers of this Nirvana World Championship also provided fans with plenty of amusing moments. At the opening ceremony, staff carried photos of players who couldn’t attend in person. During the matches, the official mascot—a cricket—was used to predict match outcomes, leading many fans to joke that the tournament should be renamed the “Cricket Fighting Cup.”

All-Chinese roster rumored to disband

After JDG’s crushing defeat by DK, LOL champion mid laner DOINB stepped forward to defend JDG, stating that both JDG and WBG didn’t take this tournament seriously, as the title carried no prestige and the prize money was minimal. He revealed that both teams only returned from their breaks the day before the matches and had not played any scrims beforehand. DOINB also shared a conversation with WBG’s support Liu Qingsong, who said that WBG would disband right after this Nirvana World Cup, so there was no need for them to practice.

Liu Qingsong’s comments sparked intense discussion among WBG fans, with many even popping champagne to celebrate. The current WBG roster is widely seen as unfit for the World Championship. If WBG keeps the same lineup next year, they are likely doomed. However, if they rebuild around jungler Tian and mid laner Xiaohu, there could be hope for a return to Worlds. (From what I’ve seen on WBG’s fan forums, most fans want management to remove AD carry Light. Do you think Light is the weak link in WBG?)