The Ultimate X match is a type of professional wrestling match created by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), mainly used in their X Division. It is considered the signature match of the X Division.
Match format
editUltimate 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 wrapped ring cables were used, and the ropes were secured at their crossing.[1] The Ultimate X match type is a match type in the TNA Impact! video game, released in September 2008.
Rule nuances
editAfter the fourth Ultimate X match, in which Michael Shane and Kazarian pulled the X Division Championship 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 the sixth Ultimate X, Chris Sabin and Petey Williams detached the X Division Championship 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 the seventh Ultimate X, the belt was initially pulled down by A.J. Styles; however, Christopher Daniels hit Styles with his finisher Angels Wings and took the belt away from Styles, and was declared the winner because the referee had been knocked out, and did not realize that Styles first detached the title. During the eighth Ultimate X, 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 the X and had officials rehang it. When it fell later, it fell into the waiting arms of Petey Williams, who was declared the winner. The decision was held up, as this was not the planned finish, and a rematch was held 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 the fourteenth Ultimate X, however, Team 3D got away with using a ladder because the referee was knocked out.[citation needed]
Variations
edit
The fourth Ultimate X was the first match of its kind to take place in a hexagonal ring. The seventh Ultimate X 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.
The eleventh match as 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. The twelfth Ultimate X 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.
The fourteenth Ultimate X 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 (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin). Team 3D broke an "unwritten rule" by using the ladder to retrieve the X Division Championship.
In 2011, the pilot episode for All Wheels Wrestling (a proposed auto racing-themed promotion filmed at TNA's Impact Zone for the Speed television network) featured an Ultimate X match as its main event, retitled as The Big Air Challenge. In this bout, Sonjay Dutt (under the ring name Schwagg D) defeated Jay Lethal (under the ring name RPM), Daivari (under the ring name Dubai), and Aaron Aguilera (under the ring name The Human Cyclone), with 20 points being awarded to the winner as part of All Wheels Wrestling's intended team competition. Of the four competitors, only Aguilera never worked for TNA or competed in an official Ultimate X match. The Big Air Challenge is not recognized as a canon Ultimate X match by Impact Wrestling.[4]
Elevation X
editElevation 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 A.J. Styles the first year and James Storm in the second and final year of the match type. 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
editParticipant list
edit- Men's
| Superstar | Victories | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Sabin | 8 | 18 |
| Christopher Daniels / 1st Suicide / Daniels | 5 | 8 |
| Alex Shelley | 4 | 8 |
| Frankie Kazarian / Kaz / 2nd & 3rd Suicide / Kazarian | 3 | 8 |
| Douglas Williams | 2 | 2 |
| Eddie Edwards | 2 | 2 |
| A.J. Styles | 2 | 5 |
| Michael Shane / Matt Bentley | 2 | 5 |
| Petey Williams | 2 | 6 |
| Brother Devon | 1 | 1 |
| Brother Ray | 1 | 1 |
| Davey Richards | 1 | 1 |
| Johnny Impact | 1 | 1 |
| Josh Alexander | 1 | 1 |
| Kushida | 1 | 1 |
| Matt Hardy | 1 | 1 |
| Volador Jr. | 1 | 1 |
| Alan Angels | 1 | 2 |
| Austin Aries | 1 | 2 |
| Brian Kendrick | 1 | 2 |
| Hernandez | 1 | 2 |
| Jeff Hardy | 1 | 2 |
| Zachary Wentz | 1 | 2 |
| Amazing Red | 1 | 3 |
| Chris Bey | 1 | 3 |
| Rich Swann | 1 | 3 |
| Rockstar Spud | 1 | 3 |
| Trevor Lee | 1 | 3 |
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Low Ki / Senshi | 1 | 4 |
| Mike Bailey | 1 | 4 |
| Puma / 4th Suicide / Manik | 1 | 4 |
| Trey Miguel | 1 | 4 |
| Ace Austin | 1 | 5 |
| Andrew Everett | 1 | 6 |
| Kenny King | 1 | 7 |
| Zema Ion / DJZ | 1 | 7 |
| Abyss | 0 | 1 |
| Alex Zayne | 0 | 1 |
| Blake Christian | 0 | 1 |
| Crazzy Steve | 0 | 1 |
| Ethan Page | 0 | 1 |
| Hammerstone | 0 | 1 |
| Hector Garza | 0 | 1 |
| Jake Crist | 0 | 1 |
| Jake Something | 0 | 1 |
| James Storm | 0 | 1 |
| Jason Hotch | 0 | 1 |
| Jonathan Gresham | 0 | 1 |
| Kevin Knight | 0 | 1 |
| Laredo Kid | 0 | 1 |
| Mike Bennett | 0 | 1 |
| Mr. Anderson | 0 | 1 |
| Naruki Doi | 0 | 1 |
| Rashad Cameron | 0 | 1 |
| Riley Osborne | 0 | 1 |
| Robert Roode | 0 | 1 |
| Rohit Raju | 0 | 1 |
| Ron Killings | 0 | 1 |
| Rubix | 0 | 1 |
| Samuray Del Sol | 0 | 1 |
| Shannon Moore | 0 | 1 |
| Shark Boy | 0 | 1 |
| The Great Sanada | 0 | 1 |
| Vincent | 0 | 1 |
| Braxton Sutter | 0 | 2 |
| Consequences Creed | 0 | 2 |
| Greg Marasciulo / Ace Vedder | 0 | 2 |
| Jeremy Buck | 0 | 2 |
| Jessie Godderz | 0 | 2 |
| Mandrews | 0 | 2 |
| Max Buck | 0 | 2 |
| Samoa Joe | 0 | 2 |
| Tigre Uno | 0 | 2 |
| Robbie E | 0 | 3 |
| Elix Skipper | 0 | 4 |
| Jay Lethal | 0 | 4 |
| Sonjay Dutt | 0 | 5 |
- Women's
| Superstar | Victories | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Tasha Steelz | 1 | 2 |
| Gisele Shaw | 1 | 1 |
| Alisha Edwards | 0 | 2 |
| Jordynne Grace | 0 | 2 |
| Chelsea Green | 0 | 1 |
| Lady Frost | 0 | 1 |
| Rosemary | 0 | 1 |
| Xia Brookside | 0 | 1 |
| Jody Threat | 0 | 1 |
| Dani Luna | 0 | 1 |
References
edit- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "Induction: All Wheels Wrestling - Sparky Plugg not included". WrestleCrap. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ "Best Damn Wrestling Show Period". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Adam (January 16, 2005). "Final Resolution PPV Results - 1/16/05 - from Orlando, Florida". WrestleView. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Keller, Wade (March 13, 2005). "Keller's TNA PPV Report 3/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Keller, Wade (October 23, 2005). "Keller's TNA Bound For Glory PPV Report 10/23: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (March 12, 2006). "411's TNA Destination X Report 3.12.06". 411Mania. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (September 9, 2007). "Tremendous Tirades Throwback: TNA No Surrender 2006". 411Mania. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Dunn, J.D. (July 30, 2007). "The Victory Road 2007 Breakdown". 411Mania. Archived from the original on June 4, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Sokol, Chris (October 15, 2007). "Angle gets stung at Bound For Glory". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Dunn, J.D. (January 8, 2008). "The Final Resolution 2008 Breakdown". 411Mania. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Adam (July 13, 2008). "Victory Road PPV results – 7/13 – Houston, TX (Samoa Joe vs Booker)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Sokol, Chris; Sokol, Bryan (March 5, 2009). "The TNA Destination X disaster". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Correia, Daniel (October 19, 2009). "TNA Wrestling - Bound For Glory 2009 Results". Daily DDT. FanSided. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Correia, Daniel (October 23, 2009). "TNA Impact! Results & Thoughts - 10/22/09". Daily DDT. FanSided. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Gerweck, Steve (January 30, 2010). "1/30 TNA Results: London, England". WrestleView. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (March 21, 2010). "411's TNA Destination X Report 3.21.10". 411Mania. Archived from the original on March 29, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Adam (July 11, 2010). "Victory Road PPV Results – 7/11/10". WrestleView. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ LaFianza, Ronnie (August 5, 2010). "411's TNA Impact Report 08.05.10". 411Mania. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Clark, Ryan (October 21, 2010). "TNA IMPACT! Results (10/21) – The Takeover Continues!". Wrestling Inc. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Adam (March 13, 2011). "Victory Road PPV Results – 3/13/11". WrestleView. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Rinehart, Colin (July 10, 2011). "411's TNA Destination X 2011 Report 7.10.11". 411Mania. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Nemer, Paul (July 29, 2011). "Impact Results – 7/28/11". WrestleView. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Mrosko, Geno (June 14, 2012). "TNA Impact Wrestling results and live blog for June 14: Bobby Roode vs. Mr. Anderson". Cageside Seats. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ "Destination X Results: Austin Aries new World Champion, Zema Ion wins X Title". Impact Wrestling. July 8, 2012. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (April 6, 2013). "Tremendous Tirades 4.05.13: TNA One Night Only: X-Travaganza". 411Mania. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (June 2, 2013). "411's TNA Slammiversary XI PPV Report 6.02.13". 411Mania. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Madden, Justin (July 25, 2013). "TNA News: Impact Spoilers 7/25 - full results for tonight's Impact following up on Destination X". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (October 20, 2013). "411's TNA Bound For Glory Report 10.20.13". 411Mania. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Hawke, TJ (August 23, 2014). "Views from the Hawke's Nest: TNA One Night Only - Xtravaganza 2014". 411Mania. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (May 10, 2015). "Csonka's TNA One Night Only X-Division Xtravaganza Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (October 4, 2015). "TNA Bound for Glory 2015 live results: EC3 vs. Drew Galloway vs. Matt Hardy". F4WOnline. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Namako, Justin (June 16, 2016). "Spoilers: TNA Impact Wrestling on POP TV taping results for episodes to air on June 28 and July 5, Destination X special". WrestleView. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Bocook, Gerald (September 2, 2016). "TNA Impact Wrestling Results – 9/1/16 (NEW X-Division Champion, new TNA Knockouts Champion)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (August 26, 2016). "Csonka's TNA One Night Only August 2016 Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Decker, Kyle (May 18, 2017). "Impact Wrestling Results, Live Blog (May 18, 2017): Ultimate X!". Cageside Seats. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Powell, Jason (January 6, 2019). "01/06 Powell's Impact Wrestling Homecoming review: Johnny Impact vs. Brian Cage for the Impact World Championship, LAX vs. Pentagon Jr. and Fenix for the Impact Tag Titles, Tessa Blanchard vs. Taya Valkyrie for the Knockouts Championship, Ultimate X for the vacant X Division Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Powell, Jason (April 4, 2019). "4/4 Impact Wrestling "United We Stand" results: Powell's review of RVD and Sabu vs. Pentagon Jr. and Fenix, Sami Callihan vs. Jimmy Havoc in a Monster's Ball, Tessa Blanchard vs. Joey Ryan, Rich Swann vs. Flamita, Ultimate X, LAX vs. Low Ki and Ricky Martinez, Team Impact vs. Lucha Underground". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Powell, Jason (July 17, 2021). "7/17 Impact Wrestling Slammiversary results: Powell's live review of Kenny Omega vs. Sami Callihan in a No DQ match for the Impact World Championship, Deonna Purrazzo defends the Knockouts Championship against a mystery challenger, Ultimate X for the X Division Championship, Moose vs. Chris Sabin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ Powell, Jason (January 8, 2022). "1/8 Impact Wrestling Hard To Kill results: Mickie James vs. Deonna Purrazzo in a Texas Death Match for the Knockouts Title, Moose vs. W. Morrissey vs. Matt Cardona for the Impact World Championship, Jonathan Gresham vs. Chris Sabin for the original ROH Championship, Josh Alexander vs. Jonah". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (April 1, 2022). "Multiverse of Matches 2022 Full Results". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (June 19, 2022). "6/19 Impact Wrestling Slammiversary results: Powell's live review of Josh Alexander vs. Eric Young for the Impact World Championship, Ultimate X match for the X Division Championship, Queen of the Mountain match for the Knockouts Title, The Briscoes vs. Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson for the Impact Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (April 16, 2023). "IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2023 LIVE Results". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ TNA Wrestling Staff (May 27, 2023). "Celebrate IMPACT Wrestling's 21st Anniversary at Slammiversary LIVE July 15th on Pay-Per-View". TNA Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ MacDonald, Josiah (September 21, 2023). "Impact Wrestling 1000 week two live results: 10-woman tag team match". F4WOnline. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ Powell, Jason (January 13, 2024). "TNA Hard To Kill results: Powell's live review of Alex Shelley vs. Moose for the TNA Title, Trinity vs. Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts Title, Josh Alexander vs. Alex Hammerstone". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ TNA Wrestling Staff (August 30, 2024). "TNA Emergence 2024 Results". TNA Wrestling. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.