Wednesday Night Fights — North America’s premiere weekly fighting game tournament series

WNF Retro is a branch of Wednesday Night Fights, giving a platform to the Retro Fighting Game Community. Riz0ne is joined by commentators and pillars of their respective communities to bring you high level competition and tell the lore of the classic titles.

Season 3 spans 24 weeks of events featuring a scheduled rotation of Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, and Community Choice titles voted by viewers and competitors!

Week 24: ULTIMATE MORTAL KOMBAT 3

  • Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was released by Midway in 1995 as an upgrade to Mortal Kombat 3, with upgraded mechanics and characters and a special 2v2 mode. Rooted in Chicago, the game has a very strong scene, spread throughout USA, South America and Europe as well. Although it received more console updates including Mortal Kombat Trilogy, UMK3 would go on to be the last 2D arcade release game of the Mortal Kombat series.

    On July 11th, Riz0ne hosts a series of exhibitions with MKK Hanzo, RZP, detroitballin and more. Fighting game veteran Shock joins in on the commentary, talking the history of the game, its tier list, and the game mechanics. Riz0ne and Shock draw quite a bit of parallels between the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat communities.

  • On July 12th, Riz0ne and Shock host the final event of the WNF Retro season. A good handful of UMK3 players join up while the usual WNF Retro suspects try to defend their turf. We see a great variety of characters, highlighting how beautiful the game is at the highest level. Shock takes a trip down memory lane discussing his earliest history in fighting games, the creation of combo videos, running tournaments and more! Perhaps we will see Shock on Super Lore Boys one day!

    1. detroitballin

    2. Cienfuegos

    3. Deadly

Week 23: STREET FIGHTER III: 3rd STRIKE

  • WNF Retro runs its final exhibition in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike featuring Japanese players, Koudai and Walkin.c.

    On July 4th, Riz0ne and Lance host a double FT10 exhibition between Koudai's Yang and Walkin.c's Makoto. It's a powerhouse and aggressive battle as the two fight for control. Herbderken provides a custom palmod making the set that much more beautiful to watch.

  • On July 5th, Riz0ne and Kyokuji host the final event for Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. While our usual finalists neem (Hugo) and exodus (Yun) are in the bracket, Virsaga and Onagai are also in attendance spicing things up.

    1. exodus

    2. neem

    3. Virsaga

Week 22: STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 3

  • As we near the end of this season's WNF Retro, Kyokuji sets up exhibition matches from the home of Street Fighter Alpha 3's strongest players -- Japan!

    On Jun 27th, Riz0ne and Kyokuji host a double FT10 exhibition series showcasing the neutral in A-ISM and V-ISM battles. All four participants are locked in with their respective characters, adapting to each other, making lightning fast decisions, and keeping the sets as close as possible.

  • On June 28th, Riz0ne hosts the final event for Street Fighter Alpha 3. Alongside long time competitor Kyokuji, the two break the misconceptions about SFA3 and encourage everyone to give it a shot. Will Kyokuji take 1st place for the sixth and last time?

    1. Kyokuji

    2. ChoiBoy

    3. AMikelyStory

Week 21: HYPER STREET FIGHTER II

  • We're at the final 4-week rotation on #WNF Retro starting with Hyper Street Fighter II, and the definitive Ryu vs. Guile exhibition!

    On Jun 20th, Riz0ne faces MarsGatti in a special format of HSF2.

    Rules:

    ▶️FT20

    ▶️2 lives per version in order (WW-CE-HF-NC-ST)

    ▶️After 10 losses, select any version

  • On June 21st, Riz0ne hosts the final event for Hyper Street Fighter II. Perhaps the community patiently awaits the release of Capcom Fighting Collection as only 6 entrants pull together to send this version off with its last hurrah.

    Bracket:

    https://www.start.gg/tournament/wnf2022-online-edition-episode-25/event/hyper-street-fighter-ii-the-anniversary-edition

    1. Hokuto

    2. x64

    3. LeRaldo

Week 20: STREET FIGHTER III: 2ND IMPACT

  • Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact released on September 30, 1997 and was the second iteration of the SF3 series. Two years later, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike would release and be the main game until this day! The two games coexist as 2nd Impact is voted in by the community for WNF Retro.

    On Jun 13th, Riz0ne and Heather host an exhibition series titled "World Tour Mode" and features players from 4 different countries! A current tier list is discussed as well as potential for meta changes in the near future. We also show off the game's unique wide screen mode which happens to nerf Hugo and Ryu.

  • In this season of WNF Retro, we are running Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, and a community choice game. We bring back an old classic, Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact!

    On June 14th, Riz0ne and 2nd Impact lab monster Heather hosts Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact. A couple of familiar faces join among the likes of LordBBH, Hokuto, greenjoker, and WNF Retro's undefeated 3s monster, neem!

    1. neem

    2. Hokuto

    3. greenjoker23

Week 19: STREET FIGHTER III: 3RD STRIKE

  • On June 6th, Riz0ne and Kyokuji host the exhibition with both players using Marco in Garou: Mark of the Wolves before switching over to their completely different, yet low tier characters in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. The combatants show the power of the magic pixel, resilience, and stamina throughout both fighting games making for some memorable moments.

  • On June 7th, Riz0ne and Kyokuji host the second to last tournament for SFIII: 3rd Strike. A couple of newcomers join the mix while the season's most consistent players neem and exodus opt to using sub characters, selecting Chun Li and Yang respectively.

    1. neem

    2. exodus

    3. DaggerG

Week 18: STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 3

  • WNF Retro puts a spotlight once again on the Brazilian FGC, as well as young GanFleim from Chile, in a FT10 exhibition series we're calling "South American Showdown."

    On May 30th, Riz0ne and Kyokuji run commentary as we watch some of the strongest players from South America go at it in the Alpha series. We also announce that Street Fighter Alpha 3 will be an official side game at EVO 2022!

  • On May 31st, Riz0ne streamed the fifth round of Street Fighter Alpha 3. With Alpha 3 on the horizon at Evo, this is the second to last WNF Retro to get some practice in. Unfortunately with the bracket going up a tad late, we only have 9 sign ups but the matches were exciting nonetheless!

    1. Kyokuji

    2. ChoiBoy

    3. AMikelyStory

Week 17: HYPER STREET FIGHTER II

  • WNF Retro brings back a classic with a special feature of Street Fighter Alpha 2. A total of four FT10 exhibitions are prepared, including a spotlight on the Brazilian FGC.

    On May 23rd, the dynamic duo of Riz0ne and Onagai team up to bring some hype commentary, with lore sprinkled in the mix. A clear distinction is made between regional playstyles as SFA2 allows you to express yourself. Our American participants take calculated risks and spend meter rather passively while the Brazilian players make hard reads, counters, and use meter more aggressively! All of the match ups are explosive, and go the absolute distance. You don't want to miss it!

  • On May 24th, Riz0ne streamed the second to last HSF2 tournament of the season. Matches go by in a breeze turning the tournament into a speedrun of sorts.

    1. x64

    2. goromax

    3. H-Zero

Week 16: VAMPIRE SAVIOR

  • Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire, otherwise known as Darkstalkers 3 in North America was released by Capcom in 1997. At a glance, the game is simple enough with dashes, chain combos, and pursuits. But dig any further, and you'll see Vampire's robust mechanics makes a competitive and well-balanced fighter, challenging players to have speedy reactions, precise execution, and spontaneous gameplay.

    To introduce VSav, Riz0ne is joined by Vampire Arcadia affiliate KyleW. The duo commentate four FT10 exhibitions, featuring 8 players all using 8 different characters.

  • On May 17th, Riz0ne hosts his first ever Vampire Savior tournament following up on the exhibition matches the night prior. The community is ready to play with a record-breaking 32 entrants on WNF Retro. Vsav is known for being a fast paced, momentum based game. Adding a swiss format in the mix, will the players have enough perseverance to peddle through the bracket?

    Riz0ne is joined by Kyle of Vampire Arcadia to tell the lore on all the players, explain the high level techniques, and drop some puns in between.

    1. Kyokuji

    2. Ailerus

    3. snuggleguns

WEEK 15: STREET FIGHTER III: 3RD STRIKE

  • On May 9th, we run a double FT10 exhibition between Exodus and FrankieBFG. The two player opt to their sub characters Ken and Chun-Li before switching to their mains Dudley and Ken. Kyokuji and Riz0ne on the mics going over some quick lore before the exhibition starts.

  • On May 10th, Riz0ne and Kyokuji host the fourth of six tournaments for SFIII: 3rd Strike. 15 sign ups, including some newer faces show up to test their might against neem and exodus. The latter takes requests from the chat and plays Makoto almost exclusively. Oh, and a new palmod is used, brightening up the over all color scheme of 3s.

    1. neem

    2. exodus

    3. DaggerG

Week 14: STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 3

  • On May 3rd, Riz0ne streamed a FT20 Exhibition featuring French players Boom (X/V-Nash, V-Honda) and TSF (V-Sakura). We tease the return of the 2XISM serious spotlighting the European scene! A couple of knowledge checks here. Apparently you can't punish Honda's tech roll with a low attack. Kyokuji drops some lore yet again.

  • On May 3rd, Riz0ne streamed the fourth round of Street Fighter Alpha 3. With all of the excitement from the A3 Nationals happening simultaneously in Japan, 16 players sign up to prove their mettle in a game that continues to evolve. And of course, the plot between the Macros and Machine thickens.

    1. Kyokuji

    2. ChoiBoy

    3. haqq

Week 13: MID-SEASON GRUDGE MATCH

  • Kicking off the second half of WNF Retro, we got ourselves a grudge match between DaggerG and Hokuto. More than one year in the making, the two fighting game specialists face off in three titles to determine who the better fighter truly is.

    The games played are: Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Street Fighter Alpha 2, and Garou: Mark of the Wolves.

WEEK 12: STREET FIGHTER: THE MOVIE

  • Voted in as the third community choice game on WNF Retro, Riz0ne joins force with one of the pillars of SFTM, tobemorecrazy, to bring you exhibitions, combo videos, and tell the lore as we prepare for the upcoming tournament the following night.

  • On Apr 19th, Riz0ne hosts his first ever Street Fighter: The Movie tournament following up on the exhibition matches the night prior. 15 players signed up with players from USA, Canada and Mexico. This was a melting pot for the Retro FGC as Street Fighter II and Street Fighter Alpha legends would face off against the SFTM veterans. How will their fundamentals fair up in a more obscure fighting game?

    Riz0ne is once again joined by tobemorecrazy for commentary, laughter, screams, confusion, and excitement.

    1. plasma_sword

    2. conspiratorial

    3. Hokuto

Week 11: STREET FIGHTER III: 3RD STRIKE

  • On April 11th, Riz0ne streamed a FT20 Exhibition 3rd Strike featuring Resolve (Urien) and Queege (Ken). New school meets old school as newcomer Resolve is already executing some elaborate Aegis setups while Queege's rushes down and confirms Jinrai in more ways than one can count on hand.

  • On Apr 12th, Riz0ne and Kyokuji host the third of six tournaments for SFIII: 3rd Strike. Our two point leaders neem and exodus surprise us again with some character changes. How will this impact the overall standings?

    1. neem

    2. exodus

    3. khachick2003

Week 10: STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 3

  • On April 4th, Riz0ne streamed a FT20 Exhibition featuring KintoUn (V-Sakura) and Xwell (V-Nash / A-Gen). The two also quickly dabble with some other sub characters.

  • On April 5th, Riz0ne streamed the third round of Street Fighter Alpha 3. Breaking midway into the WNF Retro season, we get over 20 entrants including many new faces showing burning interest this game still has. The Alpha Demon, OCxRiDaH, also makes a return to give The Macrolorian and The Machine a run for their money!

    1. Kyokuji

    2. OCxRiDaH

    3. ChoiBoy

Week 9: HYPER STREET FIGHTER II

  • On March 29th, Riz0ne streamed the third round of Hyper Street Fighter II. A bit of a wacky tournament with 7 entrants and a caliagent meme being born.

    1. H-Zero

    2. Goromax

    3. snoopyglobal

Week 8: KARNOV’S REVENGE

  • After going tooth and nail on the polls against Street Fighter the Movie (for the lore perhaps), Karnov's Revenge becomes the community choice fighting game on WNF Retro. PolarBair, a pillar of the Karnov's community, sets up three FT10 exhibition matches which will leave you asking for more! TTTTTsd is on the mics with Riz0ne and they delve into the game's mechanics while going over the lore!

  • On March 22nd, Riz0ne hosts his first ever Karnov's Revenge tournament following up on the exhibition matches the night prior. 16 players from the USA signed up, many with veteran status, and are looking to take 1st place in a swiss format, not typically played in the Karnovember tournament series. Coin flips took place for P2 side advantage, and interesting character selections were made making this a memorable tournament!

    Once again TTTTTsd and Riz0ne are on the mics moving quickly through the rounds and sharing some of the lore as expected.

    1. hibachifinal

    2. LordBBH

    3. Joshthefunkdoc

Week 7: STREET FIGHTER III: 3rD STRIKE

  • On March 14th, Riz0ne streamed a FT20 Exhibition featuring Cruise (Urien) and Arlieth (Makoto). Titled "Aegis Meets Abare," the two players rush each other down with crazy call outs and reads, with an emphasis on touch of death scenarios.

  • On Mar 15th, Riz0ne and Kyokuji host the second of six tournaments for SFIII: 3rd Strike. This time, our sign ups increase to 21 competitors with our two finalists neem and exodus entering once again. Will neem prove to be the best again?

    1. neem

    2. exodus

    3. BuRfy

WEEK 6: STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 3 (NO EX)

  • On Mar 8th, Riz0ne streamed the second round of Street Fighter Alpha 3. Some new faces joined up making for a lot of exciting moments. But will there be someone who can power off Kyokuji "The Machine?"

    1. Kyokuji

    2. ChoiBoy

    3. sparatik

 

Week 5: HYPER STREET FIGHTER II

  • On Feb 28th, Riz0ne streamed a Hyper Street Fighter II Fatal Four Way Match featuring Megaman X, Goromax, MarsGatti, and the current HSF2 Champion H-Zero. In a FT1, winner-stays-on format, the competition is fierce as the four players are racing to 15 wins. After this event, the two top players face off in a FT10 exhibition.

  • On March 1st, Riz0ne streamed the second round of Hyper Street Fighter II. We had a total of 12 entrants, including 1 player from Canada, 3 from USA, and and 8 from Mexico respectively, including first round champion H-Zero. Is it finally time for the 7-Eleven CE Dictator players to come out the woodwork?

    1. x64

    2. H-Zero

    3. Hokuto

Week 4: GAROU: MARK OF THE WOLVES

  • Selected as WNF Retro’s first community choice game, Kyokuji reaches out to the Garou community to help set up FT10 exhibition matches between the best of Europe, South America, and Asia. With expert commentary from lodey, we get to see high level gameplay across the world with the entire 14 character roster.

  • On Feb 22nd, Riz0ne hosts his first ever Garou: Mark of the Wolves tournament. 10 players signed up for this one including the roulette master WhiteGriffith, Mexico's lone entrant Kane9999, and some 3s monsters in the mix.

    Lodey, one of the Garou veterans, once again provides insightful commentary about the game and its community.

    1. WhiteGriffith

    2. DaggerG

    3. Kane9999

Week 3: STREET FIGHTER III: 3RD STRIKE

  • On Feb 14th, Riz0ne streamed a FT20 Exhibition featuring Big Game James (USA) and Arczer (CAN). You can definitely feel these players are very familiar with each others' styles, making the call outs in this even more exciting! Kyokuji jumps on the mic to talk more meta about the match up.

  • On Feb 15th, Riz0ne ran his first ever Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike tournament. 19 players signed up for this one, with a variety of playstyles and characters on display throughout the event.

    Once again, Lance hops on commentary to share insights about the game's meta while Riz0ne is dumbfounded by the game's depth.

    1. neem

    2. exodus

    3. husam

Week 2: STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 3

  • On Feb 7th, Riz0ne streamed a FT20 Exhibition featuring some of Florida's top SFA3 players. Tony Big5 would face Alex Navarro with all of Miami in the chat rooting for their hometown heroes. Kyokuji and Sabre jump on the mics for the lore.

  • On Feb 9th, Street Fighter Alpha 3 returned for its second season. Many of the heavy hitters are back making for some exciting moments, including some by sparatik's A-Blanka. Commentary provided by Lance and Sabre!

    1. Kyokuji

    2. ChoiBoy

    3. MTL Sandman

Week 1: HYPER STREET FIGHTER II

  • On Jan 31st, Riz0ne streamed a Hyper Street Fighter II "Triple Threat Match" between H-Zero, ChoiBoy, and MarsGatti. In this format, players fight in a FT2 set. The winner is rewarded one point and stays on until defeated. The player to reach 10 points first wins.

  • On Feb 1st, Riz0ne debuted the season with Hyper Street Fighter II. 23 players mostly from The Hyper Fighting and Super Turbo communities coexisted for this one, but not everything is what it seems now that CE Guile and CE Dictator will be playable as well! Which version of Street Fighter II will prove to be the one above all?

    1. H-Zero

    2. snoopyglobal

    3. Goromax