In the Season 5 finale of Ink Master: Rivals , was crowned the winner, defeating runners-up James "Cleen Rock One" Steinke and Erik Siuda . The episode concluded a season centered on rivalries between contestants, with Jason returning from Season 3 to claim the $100,000 prize and a feature in Inked Magazine . The Master Canvas Challenge

: Was the first of the three finalists eliminated during the live reveal, leaving Jason and Cleen as the final two. Outcome and Controversy

For the final challenge, the three finalists were tasked with creating a 35-hour master canvas back piece in a style of their choice. : Tattooed a Japanese-inspired back piece.

: A major turning point occurred earlier in the season when Joshua Hibbard , a top contender, was disqualified for breaking competition rules regarding contraband (marijuana).

: Created a large-scale piece that was highly regarded for its technical skill, though critics and fans often noted it deviated slightly from the specific challenge requirements or "look" the judges expected.