Ink Master is one of the most popular reality competition shows on TV. The premise involves tattoo artists battling it out in various challenges, with one artist eliminated each episode until a winner is crowned. Two breakout stars from the show’s early seasons were Christian Buckingham and Sausage. Their heated rivalry created some of the show’s most dramatic moments. Things came to a head in Season 3 when Christian was surprisingly eliminated from the competition, leading to speculation that Sausage was behind his ousting.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at the controversial event, the relationship between Christian and Sausage, and the fallout after Christian’s elimination. Was Sausage really responsible for ending Christian’s run on Ink Master? Let’s review the evidence and conflicting accounts to try to get to the truth
Christian and Sausage’s Contentious History on Ink Master
As mentioned, Christian and Sausage were two talented artists who stood out among the cast of Ink Master Seasons 2 and 3. Christian was known for his bold, colorful tattoos and brash personality. Meanwhile, Sausage had a quirky persona and love of food-themed ink. Though both did excellent work, they clashed repeatedly.
During Season 2, the rivalry started after Christian called out Sausage’s pizza tattoo for looking too cartoony. Sausage resented the criticism and tension brewed. In another flashpoint, Sausage declared he wanted to knock out Christian’s teeth during a confrontation in front of the other artists.
When Sausage and Christian both returned for Season 3 their beef continued. In one episode Sausage tried to give advice to Christian’s teammate, leading to more arguments. Christian also mocked Sausage’s food tattoos as ridiculous. Their dislike and lack of respect for each other was obvious.
Christian’s Shocking Elimination in Season 3
Things came to a head when Christian was sent home in Episode 10. The elimination stunned viewers because Christian was a frontrunner to win that season. He had just won a Flash Challenge two episodes prior.
During the Spotlight Challenge, each artist had to tattoo a different tree design. While Christian’s oak tree tat had some issues, it seemed better than several other artists. However, the judges decided it was not up to his usual standards and Christian was sent packing.
Immediately, speculation swirled that Sausage had orchestrated the elimination somehow. Some theories claimed he swayed the judges’ opinions behind the scenes or deliberately sabotaged Christian. It seemed the only explanation for such a sudden exit by Christian, who looked in control until that point.
Sausage Denies Orchestrating the Elimination
For his part, Sausage has strongly denied allegations that he was responsible for Christian’s elimination. In interviews after Season 3 aired, Sausage maintained it was the judges’ decision based on Christian’s tattoo that day.
“I had nothing to do with Christian going home. The judges saw issues with his tattoo and felt it wasn’t up to par, so they sent him home. It was that simple,” Sausage told one reporter.
He emphasized he didn’t have communication with the judges outside of the show or do anything to influence them. Sausage claimed he was just as surprised as viewers that Christian was eliminated so abruptly.
“I didn’t like the guy, but I didn’t get him sent home. Christian made mistakes on his tattoo and has only himself to blame,” Sausage said about the episode.
Christian Stands By Claims of Sabotage
Meanwhile, Christian remains convinced to this day that Sausage somehow orchestrated his elimination.
“There’s no way the judges looked at my tattoo that day next to the other artists’ work and decided I deserved to go home. Someone clearly influenced their decision. And it all points to Sausage being involved,” Christian has stated repeatedly.
He believes Sausage used their personal beef as motivation. Christian thinks Sausage pulled strings behind-the-scenes to get him kicked off the show when he was close to the finale.
“I was his biggest competition that season. Taking me out when I stumbled a little was his only path to winning. So he found a way to make it happen,” Christian said in a recent radio interview, echoing his long-held belief.
No Hard Evidence of Foul Play
While Christian feels certain of Sausage’s interference, there doesn’t seem to be concrete evidence of actual tampering. The judging and elimination process on Ink Master is kept under tight control. Contestants have very limited influence, besides their tattoos and performances during Challenges. They primarily interact with each other, not production staff or judges.
If Sausage did sway things, he would have needed help from inside the production team. But no one affiliated with the show has ever confirmed collusion of that nature.
In the aftermath, the heated back-and-forth between Christian and Sausage continued. But Sausage ended up winning Season 3 in straightforward fashion. He excelled in Challenges week after week before prevailing in the Finale. There were no further unusual eliminations or controversies.
Their Feud Continued After the Show
While Sausage ultimately came out on top in their rivalry on Ink Master, Christian continued taking shots at him well after Season 3 concluded. On social media and in interviews, Christian kept labeling Sausage as untalented and undeserving of winning.
“It’s a joke. The only way that dude could’ve won Ink Master is by pulling off shady maneuvers and getting far better artists eliminated. His tattoos look like a kindergartner did them,” Christian tweeted after the finale aired.
Sausage tended to take the high road in response on social media, though he occasionally fired back at Christian. Their trash talk made headlines among reality TV and tattoo fans long after airing. Even years later, their mutual dislike persists based on comments each has made.
Where Things Stand Now
These days, Christian still tattoos out of his self-owned shop in Pennsylvania. He has amassed a large fan base from his outspoken personality and bold art on Ink Master. Sausage lives in Las Vegas and books tattoo appointments at shops across the country. He often incorporates food themes into his creative pieces.
Beyond occasional jabs on Twitter or during interviews, the two don’t seem to interact much anymore. They both remain successful artists with loyal fans. While the controversy surrounding Christian’s elimination calmed down, it’s still hotly debated among Ink Master fans who pick sides.
Opinions range from people who believe Sausage pulled off a devious ploy to those who think Christian is just bitter about his failure. Without an admission or evidence, it’s unlikely we’ll ever know if Sausage truly masterminded Christian’s downfall. But their distaste for each other still appears strong years later.
At the end of the day, Christian and Sausage provided some incredible television moments with their rivalry. Christian’s unexpected elimination was a huge twist that people still discuss. Though they bring out the worst in each other, their talents are undeniable. The passion on both sides seems to illustrate how badly they each wanted to win Ink Master.
Whether Sausage played dirty or Christian choked that day remains subject to speculation. But the controversy surrounding them made for entertainment we still remember vividly. Their conflict was crucial to the show striking a chord and building its fanbase during the early seasons. Regardless of what went down behind the scenes, we have their rivalry to thank for some all-time great reality TV drama.
Eggs Bacon Grits SAUSAGE
FAQ
What happened to Sausage Ink Master?
Does Christian ever win Ink Master?
Who beat Sausage in Ink Master?
How many kids does Christian Buckingham have?
Is sausage a game?
It’s a game! you do what you gotta do to win. When the votes came in from the audience, it was pretty clear that Sausage had won and with that, Matti now has to walk around with a tattoo of Sausage’s for the rest of his life.
What happened to sausage on ‘Merry ink’?
Sausage was also brought back for “Merry Ink,” and was a coach in season 12. Meanwhile, Sausage has been making Ink Master alliances off-screen. He and season three winner Joey Hamilton have four shops spread over Las Vegas and the Lake Tahoe and Salt Lake regions.
Did sausage get a tattoo?
Sausage did get some redemption in an epic face-off against his rival Matti Hixson during the live season seven finale. They weren’t fighting for $100,000 — just pride. The loser had to get a tattoo from the winner, and Sausage won. Thus, Hixson will have to spend the rest of his life with a tattoo from his rival.