Passion UA have officially moved Michael “Grim” Wince to the bench, continuing their ongoing roster rotation. The announcement was made on February 26 and immediately sparked discussion across the community. While the decision drew strong reactions, it did not come out of nowhere. It closely follows growing interest from NRG and Passion UA’s recent move to bring in Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold on loan.
Grim’s role in Passion UA
Grim joined Passion UA in August 2025 as part of the former Complexity core. Since then, he has remained one of the team’s most reliable performers.
In particular, the American rifler posted a 1.14 rating with the squad and often provided stability during difficult series. Because of that consistency, many fans viewed him as a cornerstone of the lineup. As a result, the decision to bench him immediately raised questions about the team’s direction.
NRG interest speeds up decisions
According to head coach Tiaan “T.c” Coertzen, interest from NRG accelerated everything. Once the North American organization approached Passion UA, the team had to act fast. Rather than risk uncertainty, Passion UA moved quickly on the transfer market. At the same time, they prepared the roster for upcoming events.
Importantly, the benching is not disciplinary. There is no reported conflict between the player and the organization. Instead, both sides reportedly agreed that a return to North America makes sense for Grim. For the player, that move would mean staying closer to family and practicing full-time in the NA region.
Senzu enters the starting lineup
Meanwhile, Senzu steps into the active roster and signals a shift in Passion UA’s approach. The team is now testing a different player profile and adjusting its in-game structure. Their first official test with the updated lineup will come at ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 1, which begins online on March 1. That event should provide early answers about how well the new roster functions without one of its most consistent pieces.
Community reaction: confusion and optimism
Unsurprisingly, the announcement triggered mixed reactions across social media. Many fans questioned the logic behind the move. Comments like “Why bench your best player?” quickly gained traction. Others criticized the wording of Passion UA’s statement, calling it cold or passive-aggressive.
However, a different narrative also emerged. A large portion of the community welcomed the idea of Grim returning to North America. Phrases such as “He’s coming home” and “Grim to NRG is exactly what NA fans wanted” appeared repeatedly. Ultimately, even critics agreed on one thing: Grim remains highly respected. His potential move to NRG already feels inevitable rather than uncertain.
read more
Passion UA roster
- Johnny “JT” Theodosiou
- Santino “try” Rigal
- Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol
- Nick “nicx” Lee
- Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold
- Coach: Tiaan “T.c” Coertzen
Benched
- Håkon “hallzerk” Fjærli
- Michael “Grim” Wince
Ultimately, the coming weeks will determine whether Grim’s benching becomes a brief transition or the final step toward an NRG transfer — but for now, Passion UA enter a new chapter with clear questions still unanswered.
