In a significant turn of events for the American Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Major RMR, NRG emerges as the replacement for Rocket following a breach of regulations by the latter's team members. This announcement comes in the wake of a hectic period where Rocket's integrity was called into question due to rule infractions committed during the closed qualifier.

PGL, the organizers, wasted no time in revealing NRG as the substitute for team Rocket on February 22. The decision followed the ban of Rocket's player, Damian “EMIYA” Boulware, for cheating on FACEIT. Concurrently, EMIYA’s teammates, Ahmed “ayy” Mahmoud and Matthew “nero” Seymour, disclosed instances of their coach illicitly communicating with them during matches, contravening the event’s rulebook.

The fallout from EMIYA’s ban and the confessions of ayy and nero cast a shadow over Rocket's participation in the American RMR, prompting widespread anticipation of their disqualification. Simultaneously, speculation swirled regarding NRG stepping in, particularly after their close encounter with Rocket in the closed qualifier, culminating in a 2-2 standoff.

For NRG, this substitution marks a shot at redemption. The organization's reentry into the Counter-Strike scene in November 2023 boasted a formidable North American roster featuring luminaries like oSee and daps from Team Liquid, alongside Brehze, HexT, and FaNg. Despite this star-studded lineup, NRG's resurgence has been marred by a lack of success, failing to secure berths in both the Copenhagen Major’s RMR and the IEM Chengdu 2024 qualifiers.

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However, with this unexpected opportunity to compete in the Major, NRG aims to reverse their fortunes. The American RMR, set to kick off on March 1 in Monterrey, Mexico, promises to be a battleground where the top five teams will secure coveted slots in the Danish Major. For NRG, it's a chance not only to salvage their season but to reaffirm their competitive prowess on the global stage.