TNA World Heavyweight Championship
On the January 5 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Lashley failed to regain the championship in a three-way match also involving Ethan Carter III, after interference from Davey Richards. At , Lashley defeated Richards. The following week, he defeated Ethan Carter III in a Last Man Standing match to become the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. At the Genesis episode special of "Impact Wrestling", Lashley defeated Edwards in a 30-Minute Iron Man match to win his fourth TNA World Heavyweight Championship. On the January 12 episode of "Impact Wrestling", he successfully retained his title against fellow mixed martial artist Josh Barnett. On the March 2 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Lashley lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Alberto El Patron. However, due to El Patron's controversial victory, the championship was returned to Lashley, leaving his title reign uninterrupted.