The post TI14 shuffle has already claimed its first twist a little earlier than many would expect. Just a week after rejoining Talon Esports on September 26 alongside his old teammates, Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon has once again parted ways with the organization.
There is no official statement from the org at the time of writing but the 23-year-old carry announced on X that he was “looking for a team.” When pressed for answers, he simply replied: “some shit happened.”
LFT POS 1 ANY REGION
— 23savage (@23savageDotA) October 3, 2025
A Quick End to a Legendary Reunion
The newest Talon Esports roster, built around 23savage, was meant to take Southeast Asia back to the global stage. The Thai carry reunited with familiar names such as Rafli “Mikoto” Fathur Rahman, Chan “Oli” Chon Kien, and Worawit “Q” Mekchai, the teammates he played with in 2023 to reach peak form.
This core roster achieved monstrous international results, such as 3rd-place finishes at Riyadh Masters and the Lima Major in 2023. This time around, the only difference was Chung “Ws” Wei Shen stepping in for Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong.
On paper, the strength of this roster was undeniable. All three of their core players, 23savage, Mikoto, and Ws, currently sit within the top ten of the SEA leaderboards. Looking like a recipe for success, the reunion instead lasted just over a week before its first collapse.
One Outing was Enough for 23savage to Depart
The most precarious part was that the “new” Talon roster only had one chance to show what they were made of. The squad participated in the FISSURE Playground 2: Southeast Asia and China Closed Qualifier – a joint qualifier between the two major Asian regions.
While the team looked strong in the SEA portion of the bracket, taking wins against teams like BOOM Esports, Execration, and Team Aureus, they eventually faltered in the Grand Final against Yakult Brothers, losing the series 1-3 to miss qualification.
Despite the loss, the performance still suggested Talon were the strongest team in their region. That made 23savage’s sudden exit all the more surprising, suggesting serious internal issues.
A History of Drama?
While no one questions his raw mechanical skill, 23savage isn’t the easiest person to work with. He’s long carried a reputation for being quite difficult to manage, as he’s known for his confidence and at times, his ego.
From his premature celebration at Riyadh Masters 2023 to his more short-lived stints with organizations like OG, many fans are left wondering whether his attitude has played a role in his unstable career path. His most recent tweet about parting ways with Talon only adds fuel to the fire.
Is Finding a Replacement for 23savage Easy for Talon?
For Talon, this development might be frustrating. SEA is known for its lack of capable carries. Despite his emotional or behavioral quirks, 23savage is still widely regarded as the best carry the region has produced in recent years. So, losing such a high-profile carry so suddenly leaves a major hole going into the 2026 season.
If I were to make the call for Talon, I’d look outside the region and import a European carry. With four SEA players still on the roster, the team would retain its SEA slot and continue farming the regional qualifiers with ease. As one of the better-funded organizations in the region, Talon is well-positioned to make such a move.
