Final Impact - Impact Wrestling recap for January 5, 2017

Eddie Edwards starts tonight's show. He is honored to be TNA World Heavyweight Championship, even though it puts a target on his back as TNA thrives on competition. He calls 2017 a new year and a new start, and wants 2017 to be the year of Impact Wrestling. He has a surprise, but before we can see it, Lashley shows up and says he and the crowd have heard enough from him. He says 2017 will be the year of Lashley, and demands a rematch for the World title. Suddenly, Ethan Carter III shows up, points at the new Anthem logo on the ring apron, and gets in the ring. EC3 feels a fight is about to happen, and wants the World title back around his waist ever since he says Lashley and Eddie's match at Total Nonstop Deletion. He wants a World title rematch, too, but Lashley tells him to stay out of his business. Eddie cuts Lashley off, and gives both Lashley and EC3 their World title rematch in a triple threat match...and he still promises a surprise for later tonight.

Moose retains the TNA Impact Grand Championship against "The Miracle" Mike Bennett two round to one by split decision.

Hornswoggle - known now as Swoggle - meets Vanguard-1, "Broken" Matt Hardy and Brother Nero. Matt asks if Swoggle showed up to infiltrate Total Nonstop Deletion and the current show under order of "Mr. MeekMahan." Swoggle says no, and says that he isn't really Vince McMahon's son. Matt considers the news wonderful, and after The Broken Hardys leave, Swoggle is convinced that he and Vanguard-1 are the only normal people around here.

Rockstar Spud shows up and calls out Swoggle, saying 2017 is his year and that the streak starts now.

Swoggle quickly beats Rockstar Spud, stopping Rockstar Spud's streak before it can even begin. Rockstar Spud then tells the crowd he hates them and that TNA sucks. He then quits TNA.

"The Miracle" Mike Bennett finds Moose backstage, saying tonight's match was crap and says that it's personal. He wants him again in an anything goes at the upcoming One Night Only pay-per-view. Moose gives it to him, saying "All you had to do was ask."

Eli Drake finally speaks next!

It's time for Fact of Life with Eli Drake, who can finally speak now that it's 2017. Tonight's guests are The Broken Hardys ("Broken" Matt Hardy and Brother Nero), who are introduced by Reb Hardy and King Maxel. He admits that Total Nonstop Deletion was definitely something different, but says it wasn't a hit because he wasn't there. Matt tells him he was invited along with everyone else in space and time, but Eli insists on a formal invitation. Brother Nero tells him Hardy hospitality is eternal and that he's always invited. Eli Drake says the Hardys were afraid of inviting him because he would take over the show. Matt confronts Eli for questioning his magic and wonder, and Brother Nero says Eli cannot comprehend who or what they are. Eli Drake then challenges The Broken Hardys for the tag team titles at tomorrow night's One Night Only pay-per-view in a match against him and a partner of his choosing. After many "Deletes," "Obsoletes" and "Yeahs," The Broken Hardys accept, then beat Eli Drake up.

Eddie Edwards says he will prove that anything is possible when he kicks 2017 off with a bang with a Triple Threat Match. Lashley shows up and gives Eddie an option: hand him the World title, or he'll take it from him. Eddie predictably picks the latter.

Decay (Crazzy Steve and Abyss) beat The Helms Dynasty (Trevor Lee and Andrew Everett) after Rosemary spits the green mist into Gregory Shane Helms' face. After the match, the lights go outand come back on, and The DCC ("The Cowboy" James Storm, Eddie Kingston, Bram) show up and hit Abyss in the back of their heads with beer bottles.

Maria tells Allie to put on some wrestling gear and meet her in the ring, as she has something special for her...

Maria Kanellis-Bennett, Sienna annd Laurel Can Ness are in the ring. Maria calls out Allie so that she and her lady squad can start off 2017 right, after saying that she and her squad saved TNA in 2016. Allie shows up. Maria says nothing about Allie impresses her, as everything Allie has done has messed up her life. Maria says she is smarter than Allie and owns her, then puts her in a match against Sienna, and Allie takes the match without hesitation. Madison Rayne guests on commentary for the next match.

Sienna beats Allie after Laurel Van Ness distracts Allie by flirting with Braxton Sutter, who shows up at ringside to cheer Allie on.

Eddie Edwards retains the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Lashley and Ethan Carter III after Eddie's surprise - Davey Richards - shows up for the first time in months to stop Lashley from using the TNA World title as a weapon.