For the first time since 2013, a North American team has laid claim to the World of Warcraft Arena World Championship title. The Gosu Crew and Method Orange, two teams that qualified through the North American leg of the Road to BlizzCon, went head-to-head in the Grand Finals late Saturday evening.

The all-American finale was the first in arena history, and this is the first time a North American team has won the Arena World Championship since 2013 when Chanimal, Sodah, and Talbadar took home the title.

Method Orange, comprised of Chuck "Cdew" Dewland, Richard "Mes" Simpson, Ryan "Trill" Costello, and Michael "Samiyam" Hlubek, ultimately emerged victorious this weekend, eliminating The Gosu Crew with a hard-fought 4-0. The team pulled out a surprise Balance Druid pick that the #2 NA seed was ill-equipped to handle.

           

This is Cdew's fifth BlizzCon appearance and first championship title. The Restoration Shaman expert was overcome with emotion during his post-game interview, thanking both his ever-supportive Twitch stream audience and his wife, Kassi.

"Without her support, I wouldn’t be able to do anything, y’know?" he said in an interview with Inven Global earlier this week. "She’s definitely the biggest supporter of mine and she’s definitely the number one reason I’m even able to be at this competitive level.”

On stage, when asked if this year was his last year competing, Cdew pledged to continue playing with his Method Orange squad for as long as they want to. Later, he took to Twitter to thank his fans, writing, "I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT YOU GUYS ARE UNREAL." 

"I have been dreaming of this moment for so long. It means so much to win blizzcon with an amazing group of friends. I will never forget this moment. Thank you all so much for supporting us on this incredible journey. I literally can’t stop crying, love you guys so much," wrote Samiyam on Twitter following the win.

Header image via Blizzard Entertainment.