Ultimate X match

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Petey Williams (left) and Chris Sabin competing in Ultimate X6
Petey Williams (left) and Chris Sabin competing in Ultimate X6

The Ultimate X Match is a type of professional wrestling match created by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

Contents

[edit] About Ultimate X

Ultimate X is a triple threat or a fatal-four-way match contested by members of the X Division in which an "X" is formed above the ring with cables suspended from metal poles rising from four corner. Similar to a Ladder Match, a championship belt (typically, the X Division Championship), a large red "X", or some other reward is then hung from the center of the X. The winner is the first person to take possession of the hung object.

In TNA storylines, the idea for the Ultimate X Match came from TNA official Don Callis after a ladder match between Frankie Kazarian and Michael Shane ended in a no contest. The tagline "No Limits and No Ladders" was added to the first one to emphasize the change.

The first Ultimate X Match occurred on the August 20, 2003, pay-per-view, with Chris Sabin, the X Division Champion, putting the title on the line against Shane and Kazarian. Shane ultimately won the match, becoming X Division Champion. In this first match, the X above the ring was formed by bare steel wires which were not secured in the center, allowing them to bounce separately and causing the belt to tear off twice, requiring it to be reattached both times. In all future matches; standard ring cables were used, and the ropes are secured at their crossing.

Matches are typically referred to by number ("Ultimate X1", "Ultimate X2", etcetera).

When TNA made the transition to a six-sided ring in June 2004, the first Ultimate X held in the six-sided ring, Ultimate X4 on July 28, 2004, featured the X being formed from the turnbuckles along the audience seating with the turnbuckles that face the entrance left without supports. This give the X narrower angles, and makes hanging from the ropes in the center easier.[citation needed]

[edit] Rule nuances

According to the rules, if multiple combatants are holding the object when it is detached, then the first to take sole possession of the object is the winner, but if both combatants land on the mat while still holding the object they are declared "co-winners". This has happened once; when Michael Shane and Frankie Kazarian landed at the same time while both held the X Division title belt at Ultimate X4. Additionally, at Ultimate X6 (Final Resolution 2005) when Chris Sabin and Petey Williams detached the belt at the same time, when suddenly A.J. Styles spring-boarded from the top rope to snatch the belt from their hands while they still hung from the ropes - taking sole possession and landing on the mat - winning the title.

At Ultimate X8, the (prize) "X" was partially detached, but both Chris Sabin and Matt Bentley fell, and the X dropped, unheld, to the ground. Referee Rudy Charles stopped anyone from taking it and had officials rehang it. When it fell later, it fell into the waiting arms of Petey Williams who was declared winner. The decision was held up as this was not the planned finish, and a rematch was held (Ultimate X9).

Ultimate X matches are considered no-disqualification, but interference and use of weapons are rare. Kid Kash did hit A.J. Styles with a crutch at the end of Ultimate X4. Scott D'Amore has been ejected from two Ultimate X matches (X3 and X6) for interfering on behalf of Petey Williams. Also, at Ultimate X11, Konnan tried to hit Daniels and Styles with a singapore cane, and a table was brought to the ring.

Wrestlers are not allowed to use a ladder as a way to grab the belt, although technically they may use one as a weapon.

The Ultimate X match was created for, and is a centerpiece of, the X Division of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Items hung from the ropes to date have been the X Division Championship belt, the NWA World Tag Team Championship and a big red X (which is usually used to determine No. 1 Contendership). Past match winners include: Chris Sabin (three times: X2, X3 and X5), Matt Bentley (twice: X1 and X4), Petey Williams (twice: X8 and X9), Frankie Kazarian (X4), "The Phenomenal" A.J. Styles (X6, X11), and "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels (X7, X10 and X11).

[edit] Ultimate X Challenge

Ultimate X7, held at Destination X 2005, used a variation on the rules called the Ultimate X Challenge.

The match began under standard tag team rules, yet once a decision was scored the wrestler who lost the decision was eliminated from the match, with the remaining three competitors then wrestling under three-way dance rules. Once a wrestler is eliminated from the three-way dance, the remaining two competitors wrestle the Ultimate X match.

[edit] Ultimate X Matches

Frankie Kazarian and Matt Bentley both won Ultimate X4, becoming X Division co-champions.
Frankie Kazarian and Matt Bentley both won Ultimate X4, becoming X Division co-champions.
  • Ultimate X4, July 28, 2004 at weekly pay-per-view 105, Matt Bentley and Frankie Kazarian d. A.J. Styles. Bentley and Kazarian both win the X Division title from Styles. It was the first Ultimate X held in the new six-sided ring.
  • Ultimate X8, October 23, 2005 at Bound for Glory 2005, Petey Williams defeated Matt Bentley and Chris Sabin. The match was originally set up by Matt Bentley, who (after a brief hiatus) attacked both men on TNA iMPACT! and demanded the matchup for the PPV.
  • Ultimate X9, November 3, 2005 at TNA iMPACT!, a rematch of Ultimate X8 which was mired by technical difficulties. Petey Williams defeated Matt Bentley and Chris Sabin to earn Number one contendership to the TNA X Division Championship, and a shot at A.J. Styles at Genesis 2005.

[edit] Trivia

  • To date, a championship (X Division or World Tag Team) has changed hands every time it was on the line in an Ultimate X Match (X1, X2, X4, X6, X7, X10, & X11).
  • Chris Sabin has participated in (7) and lost more (4) Ultimate X Matches than any other wrestler.
  • Christopher Daniels and Chris Sabin are tied for the most Ultimate X wins with 3.
  • Ultimate X11 was voted "Match of the Year" by the fans for TNA's "Year-End Awards" 2006.
  • Christopher Daniels has won more Ultimate X Matches with the title on the line than any other wrestler.

[edit] External links

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