Desert Duel: Wesley’s Breakout Win at Starfighters Finals

The Heat Was On in Mesa

It was 103 degrees in Mesa, but the real heat came from the flippers inside Starfighters Arcade. On August 9th, the region’s best players returned for the Finals of the Starfighters Monthly—the crowning two rounds that followed an intense six-hour tournament open to all competitors earlier in the day. With a curated lineup of 91 machines and a venue praised for its affordability and atmosphere, the stage was set for one of the most dramatic showdowns of the summer.

The finalists brought a mix of experience and momentum: Kevin Curtis, a veteran of 248 events and currently ranked #10 in Arizona; Brian Pinney, only one year into competition and already ranked #2; Matt Roth, an emerging name with just 30 events under his belt; and Wesley Worosello, a quiet grinder with something to prove. Once the flippers were hot and the matchups set, it was clear each player had something to fight for—none more so than Wesley Worosello.

Rivals Reversed: Wesley Takes the Crown

For Wesley Worosello, this wasn’t just a tournament win. It was redemption. In their long-running rivalry, Kevin Curtis had historically dominated, outplacing Wesley in 38 of 63 matchups. But not this time. Wesley led the finals with back-to-back first-place finishes, securing the win and flipping the narrative.

Wesley’s timing couldn’t have been better. His recent results haven’t exactly hinted at dominance, but this performance could signal a turning point—especially with two Top 10 players in the room. Beating Kevin (#10) and Brian (#2) on the same day sends a clear message: don’t sleep on Worosello.

Pirates Set the Tone

Round 1 opened with Pirates of the Caribbean(Stern, 2006), and the results foreshadowed how the finals would end. Wesley took first, Kevin last, with Brian and Matt in between—an ordering that would repeat exactly in the overall standings.

While it’s no surprise that the same players appeared on both rounds—this was, after all, a two-round finals—the symmetry of that first game gave a hint of what was to come.

About the machine:

Designed by Dennis Nordman, Pirates leans hard into its theme with fast multiballs, a dynamic ship battle feature, and a ruleset that rewards calculated aggression. It’s not the deepest game in Stern’s catalog, but its chaos factor makes it a wildcard in competition. Its 7.6 IPDB rating reflects a solid fan base, especially among players who enjoy the balance of shotmaking and risk.

For players looking to get through Tortuga multiball cleanly, skipping the auto-plunger and going manual is often the way. The controlled plunge makes all the difference in tournaments—just ask anyone who’s watched their ball bounce straight to the outlane.

Metallica (Premium): Where Plans Went to Die

Metallica was where momentum cracked. Round two brought the finalists to Metallica (Premium), Stern’s 2013 tribute to metal, multiballs, and mayhem. This was the longest game of the day, clocking in at 44 minutes, and the only one Kevin Curtis managed to win.

About the machine:

Designed by John Borg with software by the legendary Lyman Sheats, Metallica Premium delivers a brutal but rewarding experience. The Sparky multiball centerpiece is what most players chase, but it’s the subtler scoring strategies—progressing Crank It Up modes, managing coffin and snake locks—that separate the casual crushers from the tournament killers. The machine’s playfield is as unforgiving as its soundtrack, with fast returns, tight lanes, and demanding combo paths.

Here, it played spoiler: Kevin flipped the standings temporarily with a strong finish, but Wesley’s dominance on Pirates meant the crown stayed firmly in reach.

Pro tip: To survive long on Metallica, players often focus on stacking multiballs and completing guitar pick targets to light add-a-ball. That little bonus can be a lifesaver during longer rounds, especially on a game known for its unpredictability.

Legends and New Blood

The player mix in this final four was exactly what you hope to see in a local competitive scene: established names, rising talent, and the kind of head-to-heads that make Arizona one of the most active states in pinball.

• Kevin Curtis – 8 years, 248 events, #10 in Arizona. A seasoned competitor and tournament organizer, Kevin’s ability to manage logistics while competing at a high level speaks to his discipline. With 26 Top 3 finishes in the past three years, he remains a consistent threat.
• Brian Pinney – Just one year into his competitive career and already ranked #2 in the state. With 14 Top 3s in 68 events, he’s the strongest emerging player in Arizona right now, and one of the most efficient.
• Wesley Worosello – 7 years, 154 events, currently outside the Top 10 but climbing fast. His long-term average finish may not scream dominance, but he’s peaking at the right time—especially given his rising WPPR rank and recent head-to-head wins.
• Matt Roth – 30 events in and already making consistent finals appearances. Though currently ranked outside the Top 2000, his trajectory suggests that won’t last long. He’s already faced and outplaced top players in recent tournaments, including Brian and Kevin.

It was a tournament that honored both legacy and momentum—and hinted at a possible power shift brewing just beneath the surface.

How the Top 10 Stack Up

Arizona’s Top 10 rankings added real weight to this final, with more than just bragging rights on the line. Here’s how the state leaderboard stands as of August: With two players already on the list and Wesley making his case, every match had implications beyond just the local standings.

Wesley’s victory, in the shadow of these rankings, becomes all the more significant. He may not be on this list yet, but you can bet the next update will be worth checking.

Thank You, Starfighters

Starfighters Arcade isn’t just a venue—it’s a vibe. With a $11 flat fee for unlimited play, a lineup that spans eras—from F-14 Tomcat to Foo Fighters Premium—and a loyal player base, it’s become a key hub in the state’s competitive scene. Reviews call it absurdly affordable and full of retro charm. We call it the home of one of Arizona’s most exciting tournaments this summer.

Thanks to Kevin Curtis for organizing the event and somehow still placing second. That’s elite-level flipper multitasking. And congrats to Wesley Worosello, who picked the perfect day to make a statement.

With top players pushing higher and rising competitors closing the gap, the next Starfighters Monthly might be even harder to predict.