Wedid on Streaming, Surviving, and the Problems with Ranked

In this episode of the Aimlabs Podcast, Dr. Wayne Mackey and Jimmy Lin welcome former pro VALORANT player Matthew “Wedid” Suchan for one of the most candid, heartfelt conversations in the show’s history. Known for his time on teams like XSET, NRG, and Turtle Troop (which later became DarkZero Esports), Wedid shares his personal journey through the highs of competition, the harsh plateaus of the esports world, and an unexpected life-threatening diagnosis that changed everything.

Wedid walks through his rapid ascent in competitive VALORANT, jumping from pugs to MMG, then earning a spot on XSET where he found his early pro footing. That momentum led to his run with NRG, followed by a stint at KCP. But after bouncing between rosters in early 2023, he hit a plateau, without a salaried team for nearly two years. The uncertainty weighed heavily, both emotionally and financially. Still, Wedid remained committed, eventually landing with DarkZero. That’s when life threw him its biggest curveball yet.

Just as things started to stabilize, Wedid was diagnosed with Gray Zone Lymphoma, one of the rarest cancers in the world. He describes the initial symptoms, the grueling chemo regimen, and the mental toll of facing his own mortality. But more than anything, he emphasizes the unwavering support of his family and the esports community, reminding us of the importance of community.

One of the most relatable moments comes when Wedid vents about ranked games and what he calls the “nonchalant meta.” He expresses clear frustration with teammates who aren’t trying to win, play recklessly, or treat ranked like a highlight reel. For a player with a lifelong competitive drive, whether in soccer or VALORANT, it’s infuriating to queue up with players who are not putting in the effort to win. To him, the joy of gaming is in the grind and the win, not in flashy plays with no payoff. His take? “If you’re not trying to win, why are you even queuing?”

Now cancer-free and back on the grind, Wedid reflects on why he’s shifted his focus to streaming. He shares why he believes streaming is more mentally taxing than competing, and how a new level of personal growth has unlocked the best gameplay of his life. He’s more motivated, more grounded, and more connected than ever to the community that backed him through it all.

This episode isn’t just about gaming, it’s about resilience, reinvention, and rediscovering your competitive fire. Check out the episode over on the Aimlabs Youtube channel!