Retals proves Rocket League has the ‘highest mechanical ceiling’ after winning 1v7 showcase versus Ludwig, Jynxzi, and more

With some of the biggest personalities on Twitch getting infected with Rocket League fever, former professional and now full-time streamer Slater ‘Retals’ Thomas challenged seven of the top Content Creators in the world to a one-versus-seven challenge, to showcase just how high the skill ceiling really is.

Retals was once a Major winner with Spacestation Gaming and Dreamhack champion with The Peeps. Now considered to be one of the greatest and most consistent talents to have graced the game from North America.

The content creator stepped away from competing following the conclusion of the 2025 season for Rocket League. Now, they’re taking on the ultimate challenge of facing seven of the most high-profile creators in a series of exhibitions. All the way up to a one-versus-seven showdown.

Only these Content Creators are grinding the game like never before.

How Retals Defeated Seven Streamers in one Rocket League match

Rocket League has found itself in the best position it has been since the pandemic lockdown, reaching one million concurrent players on January 26, something that was last achieved in 2020.

The revival comes as popular Twitch creator Nicholas ‘Jynxzi’ Stewart has ‘saved’ the game in the same way he did Rainbow Six: Siege.

Capitalising on this, Content Creator Ludwig Ahgren decided to try to assemble a team of Twitch Avengers to take down one professional player.

Up stepped Retals.

Starting in a 1v1 with Jynxzi, the challenge grew incrementally harder, with Ludwig joining for game two. Plus another streamer with every crushing defeat.

After Jynxzi and Ludwig came Eric ‘Erobb’ Robbins, ‘Feinberg’, Joe Bartolozzi, Squeex, and MoistCr1TiKaL.

For a small moment at 1v6, the Rocket League star appeared to be in trouble, having been forced into Overtime. But having clutched up with a ground pinch, the spirits were crushed for the final game that ended 4-0.

For the short time it was live, Rocket League became the most-watched game on Twitch, something that has only ever happened during peak RLCS times.

Rocket League’s Skill Gap has Never Been More Evident

Given the scorelines, when some streamers were even in ranks as high as Diamond, Rocket League stalwarts claimed that the game is the hardest esports title in the world to master.

“Tonight, Retals taught a LOT of people that Rocket League has the highest mechanical skill ceiling in esports,” said esteemed RLCS caster John ‘JohnnyBoi_i’ MacDonald.

“Rocket League is the hardest game mechanically in the world, and it’s not close,” added a fan.

This was highlighted as one of the unfortunate seven opponents, Ronaldo, claimed that the game was ‘easy’ ahead of the showmatch.

Rocket League’s rank distribution charts show just how few people ever achieve the top divisions of Grand Champion and beyond, and while the esport is currently welcoming a new crop of wild teenage talent, the showmatch proved just how high the ceiling really is.

Especially when you consider that the retired professional wouldn’t be much of a success in the new 1v1 RLCS format.

One thing is for sure, though. Rocket League is no longer dead.