We started out so hopeful. We had such grand plans for this competition. The conceit was simple enough: gather together 64 of pop culture’s favorite robots and have them fight it out, March Madness style.

We whittled down our list to 64. We seeded them according to natural strength. We broke down the bracket. We voted on the results.

We had so much hope for a final matchup that was interesting and unique.

Sure, there were some upsets along the way, but there were no Cinderella stories. We didn’t see a 16 seed make it very deep into the competition. (Poor Clockwork Smurf.)

In the end, it mostly went by the numbers. Which is how we ended up with a final match pitting a #1 against a #2. A “hero” versus a “villain,” no less! Yawn.

In one corner, we have Mega Man, the star of countless video games (including everyone’s favorite, Mega Man 2) and animated series. Rockman! The Blue Bomber! Dr. Light’s proudest achievement! Dr. Wily’s arch nemesis! The little robot boy would could.

In the other corner, we have T-1000, the most popular villain of the Terminator franchise (and possibly all of 90s cinema). A shapeshifting assassin! Skynet’s proudest achievement. Eddie Furlong’s arch nemesis! The robot who can heal a splitting headache like…*snap* THAT.

It was a solid match. Mega Man came out firing his megabuster but quickly realized it was no use. The bullets simply passed right through the T-1000. Thinking on his feet, Mega Man began cycling through all of the weapons he acquired from years of battling Robot Masters. He even called in Rush for an assist.

Nothing seemed to have an effect.

In the end, the T-1000 had the ability to outlast poor Mega Man until his E Tanks were all empty.

And Robert Patrick stood tall in an empty ring, glaring at the audience who had the audacity to think the outcome would be anything other than this.

Congratulations? Skynet wins again.