James Storm
On April 20 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Carter interfered in the match between Lashley and James Storm for the World Heavyweight Championship, hitting Storm over the head with a beer bottle, thus turning heel in the process once again. On May 11 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Carter came out dressed as a Cowboy and proceeded to berate James Storm and the new management of Impact Wrestling. Storm then tried to attack Carter but Carter retaliated by lashing James Storm over 30 times with a leather belt causing significant injury to the back of James Storm. The following week, Carter was defeated by James Storm after Carter brutally lashed the referee. After the match however, he tried to attack Storm after which Storm came out on top, but was immediately attacked by Magnus. Then, Bruce Prichard announced a 3-way match between Carter, Storm and Magnus to determine the number one contender to the Impact World Heavyweight Championship. But, after an altercation with Prichard, Carter attacked him. The following week, Carter defeated James Storm and Magnus and become the number one contender to the Impact Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. However, on the June 1 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Carter was defeated by Alberto El Patrón in a Six Sides of Steel match, failing to win the GFW Global Championship and lost his opportunity to face Lashley at Slammiversary. At Slammiversary, Carter defeated James Storm in a Strap match.