For the final showdown of Round One, two eternal foes step into the octagon for a bloody battle to the death!

Wearing the black trunks and white earphones is Apple, aka the Cupertino Kid. He’s had a pretty good year, sales-wise with his flashy iPads and iPhones. Of course, not everyone is thrilled with the idea of spending hundreds on devices that can’t be upgraded or expanded. And heaven forbid you use the word “app” while not referencing one of his products.

And then there’s Microsoft, the Redmond Ripper. He’s had better years, sinking a ton of money into the failed Kin phone, trying in vain to get people to use his smartphone operating system and finally, reportedly giving up on the Zune after years of trying to fight the iPod. But that hasn’t stopped Microsoft from taking advantage of his most dedicated customer base — Xbox 360 users — who keep seeing prices go higher while service sinks further into the mire.

Last year, Apple made it all the way to the Elite 8 until being vanquished by eventual champ Comcast. Will Microsoft play spoiler to his plan of iDomination?

Voting for this poll will be closed at 11 a.m. ET on March 25, so be sure to vote now!

This is a post in our Worst Company In America 2011 series. The companies competing for this honor were chosen by you, the readers. Keep track of all the goings on HERE.
See and print the entire WCIA 2011 bracket, here.

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