All hail the Beast! How Bibbiani climbed his way to the top of the Schmoedown mountain (Patreon)

Schmoedown champions of time gone by have been dominant – sweeping contender after contender aside on their way to being crowned the top dog in the world of movie trivia. Some have needed two wins before their shot at the belt. Some three. In Samm Levine’s case it was four – each more energy sapping than the last.

And yet when William Bibbiani claimed the title for the first time a few weeks back with victory over Marc Andreyko, it marked the first occasion that “The Beast” has been able to record successive wins in the singles division. An overall record of 5-4 is hardly fitting for a champion given what has come before, but let it not overshadow the fact that Bibbiani is the kind of belt-holder the Schmoedown needs right now.

Were every match in the Iron Man format, this writer is in no doubt that Bibbiani would have been a movie trivia champion long before now. On pure knowledge alone is almost unmatched – a claim proven by his 20-round showing during the 2018 Free 4 All. Unfortunately for “The Beast”, the various traps within the game have been successful in snaring him, with category selection proving his downfall on more than one occasion.

His rise to the summit, however, has proven that there is still a place within the Schmoedown for those with encyclopaedic knowledge of film history. During Levine’s reign, questions over his potential GOAT status centred around his ability to “play the game”.

Despite his incredible recall ability, those who took the side of Dan Murrell in the great debate suggested that “The Inglourious One” could not hold a candle to one of his predecessors when it came to raw knowledge. However, surely when discussing the greatest Schmoedown players, the actual act of playing within the Schmoedown has to carry weight within the debate?

Regardless of which side of that divide you sit, there is no doubt that during his nine singles matches to date, Bibbiani falls on the side of knowledge over gameplay. In an era where competitors have spoken more and more openly about the tactics required to win a Schmoedown match, “The Beast” has proven that there remains a place at the top table for those who, more than anything else, know a whole load about movies. Earning a No.1 contender match through pure knowledge at the Free 4 All just when he was at his lowest ebb following another Round Three capitulation proved a fine illustration of what he can do when the format suits his strengths.

He is, though, so much more than a move trivia app in human form. Bibbiani has taken to the Schmoedown like few before him or since. In less than two years he has competed in both singles and teams, acted as a colour commentator, post-match interviewer and been in and out of factions like they are going out of fashion, playing both face and heel along the way.

Meanwhile under the radar he has taken over the mantle from Brianne Chandler since her decision to - for the most part - step aside from competitive action and become the yard stick against whom the entrances of others are now judged. Bibbiani has embraced the theatrics that go with competing within the Schmoedown, and even his less dramatic arrivals at the table have gone onto live long in the memory.

Where Bibbiani most shines, however, is in his interactions with fans. While a certain MTS Facebook admin will always remain his No.1 supporter, “The Beast” has always gone out of his way to ensure viewers get a taste of what it is really like to compete within the Schmoedown.

Whether it is on social media or in interviews regarding his participation, his ability to offer a peak behind the curtain is almost unparalleled while this writer has always been impressed with his ability to switch between William Bibbiani the man and William “The Beast” Bibbiani with ease, all while throwing out titbits of information that those listening or reading would otherwise been unaware of.

He may not remain champion for very long – John Rocha and Andrew Ghai have both proven themselves to be formidable opponents in different ways – but for now Bibbiani holds the belt. A belt he very much deserves for how he has embraced the Schmoedown and its community.