Matusow v. Hellmuth sounds like the poker equivalent of Freddy vs. Jason. In the WSOP Tournament of Champions, redemption was served on a personal level. After the jump, we’ll let FlipChip from LasVegasVegas tell you all about it… WHERE ELSE DO YOU GO AFTER HITTING ROCK BOTTOM?

"The final table was a dream team affair with each end anchored by two outspoken tough-as-they-come professionals, Phil Hellmuth opposite Mike Matusow. Claiming some of the real estate between the two was the usually quiet, but equally tough playing Hoyt Corkins and that’s the final three list. Hellmuth was the first to go after they played three way for over three hours. Mike and Hoyt then went heads with Mike having an approximate 2-3 chip advantage; which, he gave to Hoyt in one hand. Was there a trademark Matusow Meltdown? Was there probably going to be a timeout for the guy that holds the WSOP timeout record? Not tonight, a new and improved Mike Matusow came to play this table. Mike never lost his sense of wanting to win this tournament and he still had about forty percent of the total chips. He not only wanted to win this one, he needed this win to cap a roller coaster year in his life. Mike truly has been on an emotional ride that went from the low point of his life to tonight’s new upper benchmark. He got paid a million dollars and owns the bragging rights of being the best of the best poker players. This win was a very strong moment in Mike’s so overcome with emotions he was often speechless, a rare thing for "the Mouth." I was there for his low point and I was there this early morning for the highest point."

With as huge as the WSOP fields were, it’s either luck or skill or some surreal combination of the two that gets you to the final table. While it’s easy to say Tiffany Williamsen’s run was mostly luck, Matusow is playing as well as anyone ever has right now. This will be telecast on ESPN on Christmas Eve, should be great TV. Mike Matusow Wins 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions! [LasVegasVegas] World Series of Poker