TNA Impact Wrestling Review: Results and Analysis for January 5
By Dj Beal
TNA’s New Year Starts With Eddie Edwards
Some things have changed like the majority ownership of TNA but Eddie Edwards is still the World Champion. Edwards states that he has a surprise for the fans in the Impact Zone. As he is about to announce his potentially shocking revelation, Lashley interrupts to proclaim that 2017 is his year. This stems from their no contest battle in Cameron, North Carolina at Total Nonstop Deletion. Lashley wants his rematch but another man who believes that it is his time wants a title match. EC3 joins the discussion after his title match a few weeks ago was wrapped in controversy. As these three men stand in the ring together, TNA chants reign through the arena. Eddie Edwards issues the triple threat challenge to Lashley and EC3 with the promise of a special surprise tonight.
Impact Grand Championship Match
Moose (c) vs Mike Bennett
Result: Moose def. Bennett via split decision
This match pinned bitter rivals together as Moose looks to defend his Grand Championship. Both men gained offense in the first round and it was Bennett’s ability to ground Moose that earned him the victory in round one. Psychologically, the knowledge and relationship of the two lead to plenty of reversals.
Moose uses his power advantage in the second round and Bennett looks to find himself. The strength offense wasn’t the only thing that Moose utilized. A beautiful moonsault from the top turnbuckle looked to put Bennett away but Bennett would fight back with a catching cutter. The rest of the round would teeter to Bennett as a later flurry by Moose left the hardest man to pin saved by the bell. Moose ties the round scores up at one a piece with everything on the line in the final round.
The sense of urgency by Moose led to the Go to Hell out of the corner but Bennett strikes back with the piledriver; neither able to put the other away. A missed moonsault by Moose leads to a stalemate that would eventually become the end of the round. The two competitors hit every huge move they could muster but no luck on putting their opponent away. The match goes to a judges decision as Moose retains the Grand Championship by split decision.