Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright started a war of words, while Dave Chisnall moved top of the Premier League Darts standings after Thursday's fixtures in Exeter.
Van Gerwen and Wright played out an entertaining 6-6 draw - but the two-time world champion was aggrieved by Scotsman Wright's showmanship.
Wright, typically, geed up the crowd when he was one dart away from completing a 160 checkout in the eighth leg - before missing double tops, and allowing Van Gerwen to level the match at 4-4.
While Van Gerwen smiled at the time, it proved to be a rye one - as his post-match comments began a war of words between the pair.
The Dutchman labelled Wright "unprofessional", but in response, the 2014 world championship finalist said Van Gerwen was a "big baby".
The stalemate saw Van Gerwen lose his standing as number one in the 10-player league, as Chisnall stormed to top spot with a 7-2 demolition of reigning world champion Gary Anderson.
Chisnall threw six 180s and averaged over 110 per visit, allowing Anderson only four darts at a double.
It was a night of firsts, as Stephen Bunting and Kim Huybrechts both won their maiden Premier League matches.
Bunting, a BDO world champion, inflicted a 7-3 defeat on Adrian Lewis, while Huybrechts beat another multiple world champion Raymond van Barneveld 7-5.
Trailing 3-0 against James Wade, 16-time world champion Phil Taylor fought back to post a 7-5 victory.
Through five matchdays, just three points separate bottom-placed Wright (three) from play-off placed Anderson (six).