Super Smash Bros. Melee pro Jason Zimmerman, better known as “Mew2King,” was scheduled to appear at Austin’s Xtreme Fighters Showdown this weekend. That was until yesterday, when event staff decided to bar Zimmerman from appearing at the last minute. The decision came following concern over a viral post from the player. Asking fans about sores along his arms and legs, other attendees were growing antsy that Zimmerman would spread bed bugs through the competition.
“For the safety of our event, XFS 2026, we have politely informed Mew2King,” posted event staff, “he will not [be] able to participate or attend our event this weekend due to a self-reported health concern.”
In a now deleted post, Zimmerman asked the public to help clear up a health anxiety on Thursday. Riddled with swollen red marks, he was convinced he had been bitten by fleas off a house mate’s cat, though others suggested the bites originated from a bed bug infestation.
Made a post about my thoughts on things. Ngl im turning off replies cuz of the types of mean msgs many ppl sent me that i dont want to see or deal with. I wont be streaming or around for a while (maybe weeks idk). Thx for those who do care appreciate youhttps://t.co/kJsNRn4jsz
— Jason Zimmerman (@MVG_Mew2King) October 17, 2026
“[I] had like a hundred of these on my body 2 months ago,” posted Zimmerman. “Like my entire body. This isn’t even nearly the worst picture, not even close.” He continued to explain that the bites had been reoccurring and was half the reason he was considering a move to California from Ohio. Whatever the cause, Xtreme Fighters Showdown moved to prevent other guests from potentially suffering the same.
Despite stereotypes about the Smash Bros. community, everyone that gives sidewalk mattresses a wide berth will attest that bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers. Capable of hiding in the seams of clothes and furniture and passing along to new hosts. Though not the end of the world, they can be a trial to clear from a home once infested. Other competitors have come to Zimmerman’s defense following the ridicule. “[Please] have some grace and don’t bully another member of the community into further mental decline,” posted Team Liquid co-owner Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma. “He relies on the few friends he has to be able to live anywhere and often those living conditions aren’t ideal. He was told he shouldn’t go to the event, and he listened and agreed.”
Zimmerman has since responded to the ban, regretting the initial post and saying the photos were being blown out of proportion. Living in a home with 10 house pets and a caretaker, he’s still more certain that the bites came from something off a cat, and that most of the subsequent scabbing came from his own intrusive habits. He also stresses that the photo of his leg is outdated, with the situation improving since then. He was wondering if the more recent hand swelling was related, as he had been putting his fingers through strain from practice. He adds that if he truly felt he was putting the community at risk, he would have stepped down before causing an outrage.
“I feel like I could have just said nothing ever and been fine,” wrote Zimmerman in a statement. “Makes me think how many people might potentially have a bad situation themselves but just not stupidly say anything publicly… I feel quite bad, dumb and frustrated.”
For the time being, Zimmerman says he will be stepping back from competing and streaming, continuing to improve on his health, as he said he had been focussing on over recent months.
