This week’s episode of Impact Wrestling kicked off a new era for the company, and a new World Heavyweight Champion was crowned. Former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio made his debut this week as Alberto El Patron, and he was immediately thrust into the Impact Wrestling World Title picture.
Alberto El Patron faced off against Bobby Lashley in the main event of the show, and when it was all said and done he walked away with the gold. However, the finish wasn’t without controversy.
The two stars brawled back and forth for a while and at one point Bobby Lashley accidentally hit the referee with a clothesline. El Patron then locked the cross arm breaker on Lashley, but the referee was out. A second referee quickly made his way to the ring, but Lashley picked Alberto up then slammed him down to break the hold.
As the Impact Wrestling World Title bout was coming to a close, Alberto El Patron attempted to hit Bobby Lashley with a kick to the face, but Lashley pulled the referee in front of him and El Patron hit the ref instead.
Bobby Lashley then exited the ring and grabbed the Impact World Title belt, but when he got back in the ring El Patron connected with a kick to the face, then he grabbed the belt.
With the referee still out, Alberto El Patron hit Bobby Lashley in the head with the Impact World Title belt, then the referee got up and El Patron scored a three count to win the match and the championship.
After the bell rang, Alberto El Patron was announced as the winner and new World Heavyweight Champion as the referees argued. Alberto celebrated with the title belt while Lashley pushed the referees around.
Bruce Prichard made his way to the ring as Alberto El Patron stood on top of the commentary table and announced himself as the new champion in TNA. Apparently he didn’t get the memo that it’s called Impact Wrestling right now.
There was a lot of confusion and controversy surrounding the finish, but Alberto El Patron walked out with the title.
Introducing a new #WorldChampion on his first night at #IMPACTonPop @VivaDelRio pic.twitter.com/h2Y6QwWYz3
— IMPACT WRESTLING (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 10, 2017
Wait, there seems to be some controversy over the win. Do we have a new Champ? More to come… pic.twitter.com/5utpucYs3s
— IMPACT WRESTLING (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 10, 2017
What happened when Impact went off the air? @VivaDelRio celebrated his World Title victory @FightBobby was in disbelief & chaos ruled all. pic.twitter.com/Th9G7GvBPC
— IMPACT WRESTLING (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 10, 2017
Woo.
Alberto doesn’t move the needle. This is why TNA failzs. Stop making exwwe guys your champs, and build your own talent.
They’re promising a new era, but it just kind of looks like the same old TNA to me.
Big deal he’s the new champion. He sucked in WWE and he still sucks in TNA. Never liked the guy even when he was a Babyface.