Ep 1. Run Your Machine, Not Your Mouth

Ink Master: Grudge Match is a reality TV show that brings back some fan-favorite contestants from past Ink Master seasons. In this first episode of the season, titled "Run Your Machine, Not Your Mouth," the stage is set for a high-stakes tattooing competition.

The episode starts with the introduction of the first two artists who will battle it out in the tattoo competition. They are Cleen Rock One, a two-time Ink Master finalist, and Christian Buckingham, a finalist from Season 11. Right away, viewers can sense the tension between the two artists.

The challenge for this episode is for the artists to tattoo a design based on their hometowns in just six hours. The tattoos will be judged blindly by three of the previous judges from Ink Master, who were brought back as guest judges.

Before the competition begins, each artist gets some time to prepare and strategize. Cleen and Christian are both confident in their abilities and make it clear that they have some unfinished business from their time on Ink Master. They are determined to prove themselves worthy of winning the competition.

Once the timer starts, each artist gets to work on their design. Both Cleen and Christian choose to incorporate their hometowns in their tattoos in unique and creative ways. However, tension between the two artists begins to escalate, as they both try to get under each other's skin.

As the time winds down, both artists are feeling the pressure of the competition. They each put the finishing touches on their tattoos and present them to the judges.

The judges take a close look at each tattoo, meticulously examining the lines, shading, and overall composition. After much deliberation, they reveal their decisions. Without giving away the results, we see how each artist takes the news.

What follows is a tense and emotional moment as the judges start to reveal their comments on each tattoo, causing the artists to react in different ways. Ultimately, one artist is declared the winner and the other will have to face elimination in the next episode.

Overall, the first episode of Ink Master: Grudge Match sets the stage for an intense and drama-filled competition. Viewers can expect to see some of their favorite tattoo artists return to the spotlight, showcasing their incredible skills and determination to succeed. In this season, each artist is not just competing for the prize money - they are also battling for redemption and a chance to prove themselves as the best in the business.