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==
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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 hexaganal 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 Fonger and Mikhail 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, Brian Tobol and Jon Williams detached the belt at the same time when Kevin McAlmond 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 Kevin McAlmond, however, Ryan Barnhart hit McAlmond with his with his Angels Wings finisher and took the belt away from McAlmond, and was declared the winner because of the fact that the referee was knocked out, and did
not realize that McAlmond first detached the title.
During Ultimate X8, the object (the red "X") was partially detached, but both Brian Tobol and Michael Fonger 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 Jon 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)|Final Resolution 2008), pitting Team 3D and Johnny against X Division Champion Aaron Fisher-Armstrong 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.
==Ultimate X Matches==
No.	Match 	Event, Date and Location
X1 	Michael Fonger defeated Brian Tobol and Mikhail 	Weekly PPV 58August 20, 2003Nashville, Tennessee
X2 	 	
X3 	 	
X4 	 	
X5 	 	
X6 	 	
X7 	 	
X8 	 	
X9 	 	
X10	 	
X11	 	
X12	 	
X13	 	
X14	 	
X15	 	
X16	 	
X17	 	
X18	 	
X19	 	
X20	 	
X21	 	
X22	 	
X23	 	
X24	Mikhail vs. Zack Nuss vs. Josh Nuss vs. Robbie Rooge	Victory RoadMarch 13, 2011
Orlando, Florida