and Metaknight, and ROB, and Wario, and Dedede.
This goes out to everyone who chooses a top-tier character and expects an insta-win. It does not work that way. You actually have to play well with Snake to win as Snake.
I say this for two reasons: 1) You really are doing yourself a disservice by sticking to the top of the tier list if that's not where you belong. Branch out, try new characters and tactics besides constantly up-bing with Metaknight. You might surprise yourself and find that you do better with a mid-tier, or even (gasp!) a low tier character. Cort may win as Snake, but that's Cort. That's NOT YOU. Azen can win tournaments as Lucario, but you cannot. Try finding what works for you as opposed to copying what works for them.
2)I really am sick and tired of playing crappy top-tiers. My outlook has always been to play with the character you're best with. If that's a top-tier, then so be it: go kick ***. But there are too many people who see top-tiers doing well and expect to do the same by virtue of the character's strength. NO. It will not work, and you will be wasting your money and everyone's time when you go to a tournament and get two-stocked by a really good Pikachu.
tl; dr: Basically, Good player > Good character. It always has, and it always will.