The current TNA X Division Champion ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey recently shared his thoughts on the return of the Ultimate X match.
The Ultimate X match is a modified version of a Ladder Match in WWE. But instead of ladders, the title hangs in the middle of the ring and cables are stretched across the ring like an X. The title hangs at the intersection of the X. The main goal for the participants is to climb the ropes and crawl to the title and grab. The first person to do so wins the match.
While speaking to WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard, ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey shared his thoughts on the Ultimate X match and the challenge it presents.
“Ultimate X is such an iconic match in the X-Division. And this is going to be my fourth time in Ultimate X. The first time was when I won my first X-Division Championship at Slammiversary 2022,” Bailey explained. “They are always a huge challenge because as you said, it is a huge mix of styles and it’s such an iconic match. And it feels like, if you watch the history of the Ultimate X and if you try to have really good ones, you are ultimately competing against Frankie Kazarian and the Motor City Machine Guns in terms of trying to find new ways to use that structure.”
Mike Bailey: it’s very simple… on paper
Some might think the Ultimate X match is a simple concept: there are ropes above the ring, and the winner climbs them to claim the title. However, it’s not that simple.
“There’s so many complexities to an Ultimate X match. And it’s always the most beautiful challenge to try to solve that possible. And especially if you throw in people like Hammerstone who, on paper, shouldn’t be in an Ultimate X match,” Bailey explained.
“But to have elements like that in it as well as different companies mixing into the trademark match of TNA. I feel like, opportunities are endless with this one,” he continued. “I feel like my reign as X-Division champion is just beginning and it’s already red hot. So I feel like making that match special is going to be an important part of this championship reign for me.”
Bailey noted how Ultimate X is still impressive, but it’s much tougher than you’d imagine.
“So, this is the thing about Ultimate X. It’s impressive, you see it, the ropes are above the ring, and you have to dead hang from them,” Bailey added, “Sometimes a very long time. It looks hard. But it’s ten times harder than you would imagine. It’s crazy. Honestly the way it looks, never does it justice. It feels ten times higher than it looks on TV. And it is terrifying.”
‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey puts his title on the line against Zachary Wentz, Jason Hotch, Hammerstone, Laredo Kid, and NXT’s Riley Osborne at TNA Emergence.
Watch our full interview with ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey below:
