The Infamous Ink Master Feud Exploring Whether Sausage Really Got Christian Fired
Ink Master, the cutthroat tattoo competition show is filled with drama. But no controversy sparked more heated debate than Christian’s abrupt exit during season 3 after butting heads all season with the notoriously combative contestant Sausage. Christian angrily accused Sausage of masterminding his elimination. But did Sausage really get Christian fired in an underhanded scheme? Examining the evidence provides insight into how heavily produced reality shows manufacture conflict.
Introducing Two Volatile Personalities Prone to Clashing
To understand what transpired, it’s important to know the two fiery artists at the center of the alleged rigged firing:
Christian – A talented but arrogant tattooer from Florida. The judges frequently criticized his ego and inability to grow.
Sausage – The alias of New York’s Chris Blinston. Unfiltered and aggressive, Sausage sparred with many competitors, especially Christian.
Christian’s blunt confidence and Sausage’s in-your-face attitude made the two quick enemies. Their contentious relationship put them on a collision course as tensions rose.
The Breaking Point – Calculated Tattoo Sabotage
In episode 10, things came to a head during the elimination challenge, where the artists had to tattoo pre-drawn designs chosen by their adversaries.
Christian deliberately gave Sausage a difficult biomechanical piece, smugly implying he wanted Sausage to fail and go home.
Sausage retaliated by assigning Christian a complex sacred heart tattoo, knowing he disdained religious themes. Their tattoos were designed to set each other up for elimination.
The Fallout – Christian’s Sudden Elimination
In the next episode, Sausage’s work was deemed worse. But shockingly, the judges instead eliminated Christian, who had a stronger tattoo.
A furious Christian accused Sausage and the producers of conspiring to rig his firing over outside influence by Sausage. But Sausage insisted the judges fairly critiqued the tattoos on merit in that face-off.
Nonetheless, Christian’s dramatic exit fueled speculation that Sausage had orchestrated his surprise elimination through scheming.
Assessing Blame – Who Was Truly Responsible?
Looking objectively at events, it seems unlikely Sausage directly caused Christian’s firing. The judges made an independent critique of the tattoos and chose to send Christian home.
But Christian’s outburst raised some doubts. Did the producers nudge the outcome for dramatic effect? It’s known reality competitions carefully craft storylines through selective editing and encouraged rivalries.
While Sausage didn’t explicitly get Christian eliminated, the producers likely amplified their feud for tense TV drama. Christian’s ego leading to his downfall after antagonizing Sausage all season made for an intriguing narrative arc.
Ultimately, both artists thrived from the exposure, proving manipulated reality show conflict can paradoxically benefit its participants. But the full truth behind Christian’s controversial elimination remains ambiguous.
Christian and Sausage – Their Lives After Ink Master
Though their time on Ink Master ended acrimoniously, both Christian and Sausage went on to continued success.
After being let go, Christian returned to his home state and rapidly expanded his following, amassing over 600k loyal Instagram fans attracted to his technical skill, despite his attitude.
Sausage also built a thriving career, traveling to tattoo conventions and attracting celebrity clients like basketball star JR Smith. He seems to have moved past being Ink Master’s confrontational villain.
Lessons Learned – The Nature of Manufactured Reality Show Drama
The alleged “firing” of Christian perfectly embodies how reality TV stirs up drama through casting and editing. Pitting two combustible personalities against each other generated inevitable fireworks.
But audiences should remember reality shows present only one version of events, frequently distorted. While Christian and Sausage’s feud made for tense television, the full reality remains uncertain.
Ultimately the exposure benefited both men. But their conflict proves how interpersonal dynamics can be exaggerated through selective framing to manufacture reality show entertainment.
In the end, obvious talent and hard work pay off over reality show theatrics. Both Christian and Sausage demonstrate that universal truth.
Other Controversial Ink Master Winners and Losers
While Christian and Sausage’s feud may be Ink Master’s most notorious controversy, other seasons featured debate over the worthiness of the winners. Let’s look at some of the most and least deserved Ink Master champions.
Season 5 Winner – Jason Clay Dunn (Least Deserved)
With far less experience than competitor Mark Longenecker, Jason Clay Dunn was not the most obvious choice to win season 5. His highs and lows made for great TV, but more consistent artists like Eric Siuda or Cleen Rock One seemed more deserving.
Season 7 Winner – Anthony Michaels (Most Deserved)
With only 5 years’ experience, Anthony Michaels was not expected to prevail in season 7. But his versatility and ambition showed in his daring dragon finale tattoo. His win proved talent trumps experience.
Season 10 Winner – DJ Tambe (Least Deserved)
While a solid artist overall, DJ Tambe’s unremarkable lion finale tattoo paled next to runner-up Angel Rose’s stunning phoenix. Many felt Angel was robbed as the more creative and skilled competitor.
Season 13 Winner – Jason Elliott (Most Deserved)
A clear frontrunner from the start, Jason Elliott demonstrated steady excellence throughout season 13. His graphic snake finale tattoo showcased technical precision worthy of the title. The win felt well-earned.
Though fan opinions vary on each season’s victor, consistent skill and artistic vision ultimately prevail over flash-in-the-pan moments. Christian and Sausage exemplified how bigger personalities thrive on reality TV, for better or worse. But at its best, Ink Master finds truly deserving hidden talents.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Did Christian Ever Come Back to Ink Master?
No, Christian was only on seasons 2 and 3. After his contentious elimination in season 3, he did not return in any future seasons.
- What Seasons Did Sausage Compete On?
Sausage first appeared on Ink Master in season 2, then returned for seasons 4 and 5. He was the runner-up to Scott Marshall in season 4.
- How Are Contestants Chosen for Ink Master?
Contestants must submit audition videos and photos showing their skills. The producers select artists with big personalities who will generate drama.
- Has Ink Master Been Renewed?
Yes, Ink Master was renewed for season 14 in 2022 after a 2 year hiatus. The new season featured returning fan favorites competing against newcomers.
- Who Was The First Female Ink Master?
Ryan Ashley Malarkey won season 8 in 2016, becoming the first woman to take the title in the show’s history after prevailing in the finale over fellow finalists Gian and Kelly.
While reality shows accentuate drama, real talent rises above manufactured narratives, as proven by Christian and Sausage’s enduring success despite their fiery Ink Master feud.
Singles, doubles, triples, DINGERS! #shorts
FAQ
Does Christian still work for sausage from Ink Master?
What happened to sausage from Ink Master?
Who won, Ink Master Sausage or Scott?
What season did Sausage win Ink Master?
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.
Should sausage have won over Scott Marshall in Season 4?
There’s a fair bit of social media chatter saying he should have won over Scott Marshall in season four, in fact. According to Sausage’s artist profile, he became known as “America’s Inkmaster” after the controversial season finale (which ended a season in which he was constantly targeted by other contestants).
Did Scott Marshall & Walter ‘sausage’ Frank get along on Spike?
Walter ‘Sausage’ Frank and Scott Marshall did not have a good relationship on ‘Ink Master’. However, after Marshall’s untimely death, any ill will seems to have been forgotten. Sausage tweeted sympathetically and shared a GoFundMe Page for his television rival.