Ultimate X match 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 , " as stated numerous times by Mike Tenay right before an Ultimate X match begins . Match format . Ultimate X is usually contested by three 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 . 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 ( s ) . 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 . 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 " . 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 . 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 of the fact that 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 kayfabe 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 . Ultimate X17 was also contested with the Elevation X structure in place . 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 .