TNA Spoilers: Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Makes Debut

TNA Champion Bobby Lashley gets some fresh competition.

by Andy H Murray
Josh Barnett Bobby Lashley
ImpactWrestling.com

TNA fans were dealt a major surprise when former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett made his Impact Wrestling debut at last night's tapings in Orlando.

World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Lashley was in the ring, claiming that nobody in MMA or pro-wrestling could beat him, when out came Barnett to challenge him to a match.

The duo later fought in a contest that will air on television sometime in February, and it ended in controversy. Barnett was briefly announced as TNA Champion after "beating" Lashley, but referee Brian Hebner missed Lashley's shoulder going up. A second official arrived to explain what had happened, the match was restarted, and Lashley walked away with the victory.

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TNA's previous experiments with MMA fighters like Tito Ortiz and Rampage Jackson have flopped, but Barnett brings significant wrestling pedigree. Aside from being a huge fan of the sport, he has wrestled more than 50 matches in Japan since 2003, and currently does commentary for NJPW on AXS TV. He's currently serving an MMA suspension from the US Anti-Doping Agency after failing and out-of-competition drug test, and it's unclear when (or if) he'll fight for the UFC again.

Barnett and Lashley have some shared history in wrestling, with Barnett defeating Lashley in Japan back in 2011. Here are handful of photos from Barnett's TNA debut:-

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.