This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of TNA IMPACT on POP! Tonight we start off the new year with a title match in our main event as Eddie Edwards defends his TNA World Championship against a mystery opponent, the Broken Hardys are guests tonight on The Fact of Life with Eli Drake and much more so be sure to come back here at 8PM EST for all of tonight's action in an extended episode!
-Eddie Edwards comes out to start the show and talks about last year then Lashley comes out. Lashley says the only surprise is that Eddie is still champion in 2017 and that 2017 will be his year. Next EC3 comes out and asks for a title shot, but Lashley says he won't just let him get in his way. Eddie says they should have a triple threat match, saying he's still got a surprise as well as we go to commercial.
MOOSE vs Mike Bennett IMPACT Grand Championship Match
Round 1
They lock up for a clean break to start the match then Mike mocks Moose, trying to knock him over, but Moose is too strong and Mike is knocked down repeatedly. Mike kicks Moose repeatedly when he teases a discus clothesline then puts him in a headlock that he powers out of almost instantly. Moose chops Mike repeatedly then Mike hits a kitchen sink that turns Moose inside out. Mike mounts and hits Moose with a series of right hands as round one comes to a close.
Round 1 goes to Mike Bennett.
Round 2
Moose is in control early, powerbombing Mike then hitting another powerbomb into a senton before a moonsault for a close 2 count. Mike follows up with a superkick then hits a cutter for a close 2 count of his own. Mike hits a variation on a RAINMAKER, however instead of using a lariat he uses a right hand then Moose hits The Game Changer right as the round ends as we go to commercial.
Round 2 goes to Moose.
Round 3
Moose splashes Mike immediately then hits Go To Hell for a very close 2 count. Mike then hits a piledriver for a close 2 count of his own then they exchange right hands until Moose drops him with a clothesline as the round ends.
Winner: Moose via decision
Rockstar Spud vs Swoggle
Swoggle spears Spud then hits a German suplex then finally a Celtic Cross for the pin and the win.
Winner: Swoggle via pinfall
-Eli Drake is in the ring as we come back from commercial, able to speak again. Drake then welcomes Matt and Jeff out to the ring for A Fact of Life. Drake praises them for Total Non-Stop Deletion and says they almost had a hit, but they left him out of it. Jeff calls Drake a dummy then Drake says that if he keeps talking like that he might end up in the "Hardy Hospital". Matt says anyone who speaks blasphemy against his magic will be deleted then Jeff says that they are magic. Drake says tomorrow night that he wants to get the tag belts to which they agree.
Helms Dynasty vs Decay
Decay are in control early then HD send Abyss to the outside, the two double teaming Steve for a quick 2 count. HD tag in and out frequently, isolating Steve in their corner. Steve ends up tagging in Abyss who takes out both members of HD then GSH tries to chokeslam Abyss only to get misted by Rosemary. Abyss then hits a springboard chokeslam on Everett for the pin and the win.
Winner: Decay via pinfall
-After the match DCC appear behind them and hit them from behind with beer bottles as Rosemary looks on. We then go to Allie and Maria backstage, Maria saying that she has something special for her and to meet her in the ring as we go to commercial.
Maria is in the ring with Sienna and Laurel as we come back and Maria calls Allie out to the ring. Maria says she's smarter than Allie and she owns her and then she prepares for a match with Sienna.
Sienna vs Allie
Allie is all over Sienna then she's dropped with a big boot, Sienna following up with a series of right hands for a quick 2 count. Allie splashes Sienna in the corner then slams her into opposite corner before dropkicking her for a quick 2 count. Sienna hits a fall away slam for a quick 2 count then hits a back drop for another quick 2 count. Sienna misses a leg drop and Allie rolls her up for a quick 2 count. Allie is distracted by Laurel, Sienna dropping her with a clothesline for a close 2 count. Allie slaps Sienna drops her before suplexing her, Laurel distracting her again and Sienna finishes her off with The Silencer for the pin and the win.
Winner: Sienna via pinfall
Eddie Edwards vs EC3 vs Lashley TNA World Championship Match
Lashley is in control early, EC3 and Edwards unable to overpower Lashley, opting to just send him out of the ring. They then decide to go out after him, taking turns chopping Lashley then he gets back into the ring, EC3 and Eddie double teaming him once more and sending him back out of the ring as we go to commercial.
Eddie and EC3 try to get the upper hand on one another, continually keeping Lashley out of the ring until he comes in and hits a double German suplex. Lashley then beats on both of them before hitting a delayed suplex on Eddie then a neckbreaker to EC3 before taking several turnbuckle pads off. Eddie and EC3 come back and drop Lashley with a series of kicks then hit a double suplex on him, following up by exchanging chops in the center of the ring. EC3 hits a blue thunder bomb on Eddie for a quick 2 count then Lashley hits Eddie with a dominator. EC3 hits a DDT to Lashley then splashes into Eddie in the corner before they all three hit a tower of doom off the top rope. Lashley is hit with a code breaker by Eddie then a high knee by EC3 who drops him repeatedly then hits a fall away slam. EC3 hits the TK3 on Lashley then Lashley spears them both into the exposed turnbuckle, EC3 leaving the ring then Lashley throws Eddie out of it. Lashley goes out and spears EC3 at ringside then Eddie dives out onto him. Lashley spears Eddie once they're back in the ring, but Eddie rolls out of it immediately. Davey Richards comes from no where when Lashley goes to hit Eddie with the belt then Eddie hits The Boston Knee Party for the pin and the win.
Winner: Eddie Edwards via pinfall
