Ultimate X match
The Ultimate X match is a type of professional wrestling match created by Impact Wrestling (formerly Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, TNA), mainly used in their X Division. It is considered the signature match of the X Division.
Match format
Ultimate X is contested by three or more wrestlers of the X Division. Two cables, connected to metal structures rising from the four corners of the ring, cross 15 feet above the middle of the ring.[1] Similar to a ladder match, an object (usually a championship belt or a large red "X") is suspended from where the cables cross. The winner is the first person to take possession of the hung object. After TNA made the transition to a hexagonal ring in June 2004, the cables were suspended from the four turnbuckles that were not perpendicular to the entrance ramp.
TNA official Don Callis received on-screen credit for the idea for the Ultimate X match. The tagline "No Limits and No Ladders" was added to the first match to emphasize the change. In this first match, bare steel wires, which were not secured in the center, were used above the ring, allowing them to bounce separately and causing the belt to tear off twice, requiring it to be reattached. In all future matches, standard ring cables were used, and the ropes were secured at their crossing.[1] Matches are typically referred to by number ("Ultimate X1", "Ultimate X2", etc.). TNA has not noted the numeratical order by name, however. This has only been practiced by fans since X4. The Ultimate X match type is a match type in the TNA Impact! game, released in September 2008.
Rule nuances
After Ultimate X4, in which Michael Shane and Kazarian pulled the championship belt down at the same time, it was ruled that if both combatants land on the mat while still holding the object, they are declared "co-winners".[2]
During Ultimate X6, Chris Sabin and Petey Williams detached the belt at the same time when A.J. Styles jumped from the top rope to snatch the belt from them while they were still hanging from the ropes, taking sole possession and landing on the mat, winning the title.[3]
During Ultimate X7, the belt was initially pulled down by A.J. Styles; however, Christopher Daniels hit Styles with his Angels Wings finisher and took the belt away from Styles, and was declared the winner because the referee was knocked out, and did not realize that Styles first detached the title.
During Ultimate X8, the object (the red "X") was partially detached, but both Chris Sabin and Michael Shane fell, and the X dropped, untouched, to the ground. Referee Mark "Slick" Johnson stopped anyone from taking it and had officials rehang it. When it fell later, it fell into the waiting arms of Petey Williams and he was declared the winner. The decision was held up, as this was not the planned finish, and a rematch was held (Ultimate X9) soon after.
Although Ultimate X matches are considered no-disqualification, interference and the use of weapons are rare. Wrestlers are not allowed to use a ladder as a way to grab the object, although technically they may use one as a weapon. In Ultimate X14, however, Team 3D got away with using a ladder because the referee was knocked out.
Variations
Ultimate X4 was the first match of its kind to take place in a hexagonal ring.
Ultimate X7 used a variation of the rules, called the Ultimate X Challenge. The match began under standard tag team rules, yet once a decision occurred, the wrestler who lost the decision was eliminated from the match. The remaining three competitors then wrestling under Three way dance rules to eliminate another competitor. The remaining two competitors then wrestled the Ultimate X match to determine the ultimate winner.
Ultimate X11 was the first tag team Ultimate X match. It was contested by two teams (for the NWA World Tag Team Championship) in a way similar to a Texas Tornado match with all four competitors attempting to obtain the object (one of the two title belts). The team of the wrestler that retrieves the belt won the match and the title.
Ultimate X12 was the first Ultimate X Gauntlet match. It began as a ten-man Gauntlet for the Gold, with entries at timed intervals and eliminations allowed. Elimination occurred when a competitor went over the top rope and hit the floor. After all 10 participants have entered, the wrestlers still eligible in the match attempted to obtain the object (the red "X") and win the match. This time, the normal Ultimate X structure was replaced with the Elevation X structure. The Elevation X structure has been used in all matches since Ultimate X17.
Ultimate X14 was the first six-man tag team Ultimate X match. It was held at Final Resolution 2008, pitting Team 3D and Johnny Devine against X Division Champion Jay Lethal and the Motor City Machine Guns. Team 3D broke an "unwritten rule" by using the ladder to retrieve the X Division Championship.
Ultimate X19 was the first non-televised Ultimate X match, taking place at a live event in London, England.
Ultimate X20 was the first Ultimate X match since Ultimate X3 to take place in a four sided ring.
Ultimate X21 was the first Ultimate X match to feature only two wrestlers and the first that could also be won via submission.
Elevation X
Elevation X was a variant of Ultimate X that combined the standard match with a scaffold match. It took place only twice, in 2007 and 2008, both at Destination X. In the shape of giant X, the platforms were raised 15 feet above the ring. The two participants would start at the ground level, climb their way up, and finish the match there. The loser is the wrestler who falls from the scaffold into the ring below. After 2008, the match would no longer be contested due to safety concerns. Rhino has participated in and won both matches as he defeated AJ Styles the first year and James Storm in the second and final year of the match. After the match was scrapped, the scaffolds would be occasionally used for Ultimate X matches, especially when there was a high number of wrestlers in the match.
Ultimate X matches
Participant List
| Superstar | Victories | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Sabin | 8 | 17 |
| (Christopher) Daniels / 1st Suicide | 5 | 8 |
| Alex Shelley | 4 | 7 |
| (Frankie) Kazarian / Kaz / 2nd & 3rd Suicide | 3 | 8 |
| Doug Williams | 2 | 2 |
| Eddie Edwards | 2 | 2 |
| Michael Shane / Matt Bentley | 2 | 5 |
| Petey Williams | 2 | 5 |
| A.J. Styles | 2 | 5 |
| Davey Richards | 1 | 1 |
| Brother Ray | 1 | 1 |
| Brother Devon | 1 | 1 |
| Johnny Imapct | 1 | 1 |
| Rich Swann | 1 | 1 |
| Volador Jr. | 1 | 1 |
| Matt Hardy | 1 | 1 |
| Austin Aries | 1 | 2 |
| Hernandez | 1 | 2 |
| Jeff Hardy | 1 | 2 |
| Brian Kendrick | 1 | 2 |
| Rockstar Spud | 1 | 3 |
| Amazing Red | 1 | 3 |
| Puma / 4th Suicide / Manik | 1 | 4 |
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Low Ki / Senshi | 1 | 4 |
| Kenny King | 1 | 5 |
| Zema Ion / DJZ | 1 | 7 |
| Andrew Everett | 1 | 4 |
| Trevor Lee | 1 | 3 |
| Hector Garza | 0 | 1 |
| Ron Killings | 0 | 1 |
| Shark Boy | 0 | 1 |
| Daivari | 0 | 1 |
| Naruki Doi | 0 | 1 |
| Robert Roode | 0 | 1 |
| James Storm | 0 | 1 |
| Mr. Anderson | 0 | 1 |
| Shannon Moore | 0 | 1 |
| Abyss | 0 | 1 |
| Rubix | 0 | 1 |
| Rashad Cameron | 0 | 1 |
| Jessie Godderz | 0 | 2 |
| The Great Sanada | 0 | 1 |
| Braxton Sutter | 0 | 2 |
| Mike Bennett | 0 | 1 |
| Tigre Uno | 0 | 2 |
| Greg Marasciulo / Ace Vedder | 0 | 2 |
| Samoa Joe | 0 | 2 |
| Consequences Creed | 0 | 2 |
| Max Buck | 0 | 2 |
| Jeremy Buck | 0 | 2 |
| Robbie E | 0 | 3 |
| Mark Andrews | 0 | 2 |
| Elix Skipper | 0 | 4 |
| Jay Lethal | 0 | 4 |
| Sonjay Dutt | 0 | 5 |
| Crazzy Steve | 0 | 1 |
| Ethan Page | 0 | 1 |
| Jake Crist | 0 | 1 |
| Trey Miguel | 0 | 1 |
References
- "TNA Wrestling Results: NWA: Total Nonstop Action PPV - August 20, 2003". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
- "TNA Wrestling Results: NWA: Total Nonstop Action PPV - July 28, 2004". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
- "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 123.
- Gerweck, Steve (January 30, 2010). "1/30 TNA Results: London, England". WrestleView. Retrieved January 31, 2010.