Michael Hutter

Michael Hutter (born March 18, 1983) is an American professional wrestler and promoter better known by the ring name Ethan Carter III (or simply EC3). He is signed to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he is a former NWA World's Heavyweight Champion and NWA National Heavyweight Champion. He also performs on the independent circuit. He is best known for his tenures with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and WWE, where he performed both under his EC3 ring name and, earlier, as Derrick Bateman. He also appeared for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) where he is a former OVW National Heavyweight Champion.

Hutter began his professional wrestling career in 2002, and began wrestling for the Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) promotion in 2007. In 2009, he signed a contract with WWE, where he competed as Derrick Bateman. He was assigned to WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship with Johnny Curtis. Also, he competed in the fourth and fifth seasons of '' NXT'', a program where rookies were paired with Pros.

He left WWE in May 2013 and then signed a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). He worked with the promotion as Ethan Carter III, the storyline nephew of TNA's owner Dixie Carter. He won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice and the Impact Grand Championship once. He returned to WWE in January 2018, competing in NXT, before making his main roster debut in early 2019, where he held the WWE 24/7 Championship four times. His second tenure with WWE ended in April 2020.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2002–2009)

Hutter began his career in Cleveland wrestling regularly for several promotions in the Ohio region after making his debut. He wrestled for Pro Wrestling Ohio, making his debut on episode nine of the television show, as an ally of M-Dogg 20, under the name the "Deviant" Michael Hutter. He immediately began feuding with Josh Prohibition and Johnny Gargano and in the main event on episode 13 he teamed with Jason Bane to defeat Prohibition and Gargano. He made his final appearance for the promotion on episode 16, losing to Prohibition in a match to determine the participants in a match for the PWO Heavyweight Championship.

On June 27, 2007, Hutter appeared at a Derby City Wrestling show in Louisville, Kentucky, where he teamed with Osiris to defeat The Belgian Brawler and Apocalypse in a dark match. On December 9, 2007, Firestorm Pro Wrestling held its inaugural show ''Destroy Erase Improve'', which saw the start of a six-man round robin tournament, in which Hutter competed. The tournament lasted nine months, before ending on September 12, 2008 at ''Something to Die For''. That same show, Hutter won a six-man elimination match to become the inaugural Firestorm Pro Heavyweight Champion. Hutter made his last appearance with Firestorm Pro Wrestling on December 13, 2008, when he vacated the Firestorm Pro Heavyweight Championship, which he later awarded to John McChesney when McChesney won a four-way match for the vacant championship.

Ohio Valley Wrestling and early WWE appearances (2003, 2006–2007)

On April 14, 2003 Hutter appeared at the ''Heat'' tapings prior to '' Raw'' as Mike Hunter, where he was defeated by Rodney Mack.

On July 24, 2006 he appeared again at ''Heat'', where he teamed with Chris Cronus in a loss to Viscera and Charlie Haas. He also appeared on ''Raw'' in August 2006, as a police officer with Shane McMahon who were to arrest D-Generation X.

Hutter made his Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) debut on the March 27, 2007 television tapings, where he lost to Tony Braddock in a dark match using his real name. The following week, he lost to Mike Mondo in a dark match, before changing his ring name to Mike Hutter. He competed in several more dark matches before the television tapings, teaming with Nick Nemeth and Chris Cage in a loss to Mike Kruel, Vladimir Kozlov and Boris Alexiev in a six-man tag team match, before losing to Mondo again. On the April 25 television tapings, Hutter teamed with TJ Dalton and Jamin Olivencia in defeat to Pat Buck, Johnny Punch and Braddock, before losing to Del Electrico in a dark match on the May 2 tapings. Throughout May, he went on to lose to Anthony Polaski (a renamed Tony Braddock) in a dark match and Dan Rodman, and on the May 23 tapings, he was attacked by Kruel, Kozlov, and Mr. Strongo. In his final OVW appearance in June, Hutter competed in a gauntlet match to earn a match against then United States Champion, Montel Vontavious Porter, but the match was won by Chet The Jet.

World Wrestling Entertainment (2009–2013)

Florida Championship Wrestling (2009–2010)

Hutter made his Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) debut on February 9, 2009, as Mike Hutter, when he lost to Drew McIntyre. On February 19, he changed his ring name to Derrick Bateman, and gained Abraham Washington as a manager as he teamed with Lennox McEnroe in a loss to Scotty Goldman and DJ Gabriel. On the February 26 television tapings, Hutter, Washington, and Tristan Delta lost a dark match to Brett DiBiase, Maverick Darsow, and Tank Mulligan. In March, he and Dylan Klein lost to Kafu and Sweet Papi Sanchez. In April, he became known as Agent D, as part of Washington's Secret Service stable, alongside Agent T and Agent J. He reverted to his Derrick Bateman name in June, in a loss to DJ Gabriel.

After a hiatus, Bateman returned to FCW in 2010, teaming with Adam Henderson in a loss to The Rotundo Brothers ( Bo and Duke). In March, he lost to Richie Steamboat and Joe Hennig in singles competition, and to Johnny Prime, Orlando Colón, and Incognito as part of a six-man tag team match, before defeating Rudy Parker. He went on to lose to Skip Sheffield, Percy Watson, Mason Ryan, Wes Brisco, and Eli Cottonwood over the next several months. In mid-2010, he formed a tag team known as The Handsome Man's Express with Leo Kruger, and the pair unsuccessfully challenged ''Los Aviadores'' (Hunico and Epico) for the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship on July 2. The Handsome Man's Express disbanded as a team shortly afterward, with Kruger defeating Bateman in a singles match on July 29. On August 12, 2010, Hutter teamed with Johnny Curtis to win the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship by defeating the team of Donny Marlow and Brodus Clay and the defending champions, ''Los Aviadores'' in a three-way tag team match. They went on to successfully defend the championship against ''Los Aviadores'', Clay and Marlow, and The Dude Busters (Caylen Croft and Trent Barreta). After a near three-month reign, Bateman and Curtis lost the championship to Wes Brisco and Xavier Woods on November 4.

NXT (2010–2013)

During the finale of season three of '' NXT'', it was announced that Bateman would be part of the fourth season, with Season 1 alumnus Daniel Bryan as his mentor. He made his in-ring debut on the December 7 episode of ''NXT'', teaming with Daniel Bryan in a loss to Conor O'Brian and his Pro Alberto Del Rio. He had his first singles match on the December 14 episode of ''NXT'', but lost to Alberto Del Rio via submission. For the next months, he participated in various challenges. Bateman made it to the final three competitors, but was eliminated on the February 22 episode of ''NXT''. He then returned on the March 1 episode of ''NXT'', competing in a tag team match with Conor O'Brian defeating the team of Byron Saxton and Jacob Novak. While competing on ''NXT'', Bateman appeared in pre-taped vignette on '' Raw'' as a scientist with the "Bateman Institute" advertising a fictional Mark Henry cologne. He also made his ''SmackDown'' debut with Damien Sandow, who refused to fight him. Bateman got his debut match against Ryback and lost.

After a period of absence from WWE programming, Bateman was inserted into the fifth season of NXT as a rookie midway into the competition, returning on the June 28, 2011 episode of ''NXT Redemption'' and bringing back his Pro Daniel Bryan in the process. Meanwhile, Bateman's character began to show more villainous traits, eventually causing Bryan to abandon him after declaring that Bateman was making a fool out of himself. In July, Bateman started a long feud with Titus O'Neil that lasted until November, as both of them frequently traded wins and losses in a series of matches. In August, Maxine made her return to ''NXT'' as Bateman's girlfriend, and she started a concurrent feud with O'Neil's friend AJ. Bateman and Maxine lost to O'Neil and AJ on the September 6 episode of ''NXT Redemption''. On the October 26 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman proposed to Maxine, who accepted the proposal after slapping and kissing him. On the November 2 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman and Maxine became known as "Beta-Max", and they participated in a six-person tag match along with JTG in a loss to O'Neil, AJ and Percy Watson.

On the November 9 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Maxine revealed to Bateman that she and his former friend Johnny Curtis went on a date, and they later tag teamed together in a winning effort against the team of Titus O' Neil and Percy Watson. On the December 7 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman defeated Johnny Curtis in singles competition, turning face once again, and afterwards broke up with Maxine thinking he flirted with her mother. After Bateman again defeated Johnny Curtis in a singles match on the December 28 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Maxine again turned on Bateman, thinking he was trying to ruin her career, kissing Curtis and leaving with him. The next week on the January 4 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman lost in singles competition to Darren Young after a distraction from Johnny Curtis and Maxine announcing that they're getting married in Las Vegas. On the 100th episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman interrupted Johnny Curtis and Maxine's wedding ceremony by showing a security camera video clip in his locker room of Johnny Curtis stealing Bateman's iPad and sending an email to Theodore Long about getting rid of Maxine and going to ''SmackDown'', and was later reunited with Maxine.

On the February 15 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman teamed with Justin Gabriel to defeat the team of Heath Slater and Johnny Curtis, and afterwards saved his friend Kaitlyn from Maxine. Two weeks later, Kaitlyn confessed her love for Bateman, kissing him during an intervention also involving Justin Gabriel and Alicia Fox, until Maxine came out and again attacked Kaitlyn. On the March 7 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman was backstage with Johnny Curtis and Maxine, who revealed to Bateman that they are no longer dating after Kaitlyn kissed Bateman, leading to Bateman and Kaitlyn defeating Curtis and Maxine in a mixed tag team match. On the March 14 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', he confessed his love for Kaitlyn and kissed her, solidifying their relationship. On the March 21 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman and Kaitlyn were backstage with Tamina talking about his and Kaitlyn's newfound relationship, and later encountered Maxine and Johnny Curtis, who accused them of being involved with Matt Striker's disappearance. Bateman was accompanied by Kaitlyn in singles competition on the March 28 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', losing to Hunico. Bateman and Kaitlyn discovered Matt Striker in a janitor's closet hidden by Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks on the April 11 episode of ''NXT Redemption''. On the April 25 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman was attacked by JTG, but later went on to defeat him in singles competition. Bateman made his televised return on the May 4 episode of ''SmackDown'' where he once again faced Ryback, but was defeated. On the May 9 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman was attacked backstage by an unknown person. On the May 30 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', Bateman competed in a tag team match with Percy Watson and Justin Gabriel in a winning effort against Johnny Curtis, Michael McGillicutty, and JTG. Bateman competed on the June 8 episode of ''SmackDown'' against Brodus Clay in a losing effort. On the final episode of the fifth season of ''NXT'' on June 13, Bateman teamed with Percy Watson in a losing effort against Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks.

After the conclusion of ''NXT Redemption'', NXT transitioned into the renamed FCW developmental territory. Bateman then continued to appear on ''NXT'', where he defeated rival Johnny Curtis on the June 27 episode of ''NXT''. On the October 27 episode of '' Saturday Morning Slam'', Bateman lost to United States Champion Antonio Cesaro in a non-title match. In January 2013, Bateman entered the NXT Tag Team Championship tournament along with Alex Riley, but they were eliminated in the first round after a loss to Kassius Ohno and Leo Kruger. Bateman's final match was a non-title loss against NXT Champion Big E Langston, which was taped before his release. On May 17, 2013, Hutter was released from his contract.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling / Impact Wrestling (2013–2018)

Team Dixie (2013–2015)

Hutter worked a dark match on August 29, 2013 before the ''Impact Wrestling'' television tapings in Cleveland, Ohio, losing to Jay Bradley. On September 26, TNA aired a vignette about a new talent, Ethan. The following week, another vignette aired as it was later reported that Hutter had signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and would be debuting with the new character as Dixie Carter's spoiled nephew. The following week, another vignette aired revealing Hutter's new ring name as Ethan Carter III (EC3).

On October 20, Carter made his TNA debut at Bound for Glory as a heel, defeating jobber Norv Fernum. Carter defeated another jobber Dewey Barnes on the October 24 episode of ''Impact Wrestling''. On November 21 at the Impact Wrestling: Turning Point special episode, Carter took a step up in competition defeating Shark Boy. Since then, Carter had matches with other jobbers, billed as TNA Legends, like Curry Man or referee Earl Hebner. On the December 12 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter was confronted by Sting and was issued an option; either face Sting immediately, or enter the Feast or Fired match. Carter entered the Feast or Fired match and grabbed one of the briefcases, which was revealed to contain a future TNA World Tag Team Championship match. On the December 26 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter teamed with Rockstar Spud and The BroMans (Robbie E and Jessie Godderz) in a four-on-two handicap match against Sting and Jeff Hardy, where Carter pinned Sting. On the January 2, 2014 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter was challenged by Sting for a match at the Impact Wrestling: Genesis episode, a match which Carter would win after help from the special guest referees Magnus and Rockstar Spud. On the February 6 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter attacked Kurt Angle to save Magnus from losing by submission against him, then launched a vicious assault targeting Angle's surgically repaired left knee, resulting in serious injuries. The following week, Carter teamed with Magnus losing to Gunner and James Storm in a tag team ladder match where Carter's and Gunner's Feast or Fired briefcases were on the line.

On the February 6 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Kurt Angle had a match against Magnus, which Angle won by disqualification, when EC3 attacked him, performing a leglock, which injured his knee. On the February 27 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle officially accepted his induction into the TNA Hall of Fame, but the ceremony was interrupted by EC3, who said he tore Angle's knee ligaments and therefore must retire. However, Angle attacked him and challenged him to a match at Lockdown. On the March 6 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle was attacked again by EC3. It was announced after that night's ''Impact Wrestling'' that Kurt Angle, due to EC3's attack, would be pulled from the Lockdown card due to a torn MCL. On March 9, at Lockdown, Bobby Lashley answered Carter's open challenge after his scheduled opponent (Kurt Angle) couldn't wrestle due to injury the match ended in a no contest. The following week on ''Impact Wrestling'', Lashley and Carter had a rematch which Carter won via disqualification after an assault by Willow on Carter. This started a feud between the two, as EC3 and Rockstar Spud attempted to search for Willow in the woods. However, they were both attacked by Willow. At Sacrifice, they were defeated by Willow and a returning Kurt Angle. On the May 8, 2014 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', EC3 faced Kurt Angle, where EC3 won. During the match, Angle re-injured his knee, which allowed EC3 to capitalize on the victory and tear Angle's ACL.

After his feud with Kurt Angle, he started a feud with Bully Ray, who threatened to put his aunt, Dixie Carter, through a table after the match. This resulted in a Texas Death match at Slammiversary XII, which EC3 won with help from Dixie Carter and Rockstar Spud. Through TNA's relationship with Wrestle-1, Carter made his debut for the Japanese promotion in Tokyo on July 6, teaming with Rockstar Spud in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Tajiri and Yusuke Kodama. On the July 3 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', EC3 defeated Bully Ray in a tables match, following interference from Rhino on Carter's behalf. This prompted Ray to challenge EC3, Rhino, and Spud to a six-man hardcore match with Devon and Tommy Dreamer as his partners, which EC3's team won following interference from Rycklon and Snitsky. On the August 7 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', EC3, Rhino, Rycklon and Snitsky were defeated in an eight-man Hardcore War against Team 3D, Al Snow and Tommy Dreamer. Afterwards, Bully Ray fulfilled his four-month promise by putting Dixie Carter through a table. EC3 would then blame Rhino for Dixie Carter being put through a table, resulting in EC3 attacking him. The following week, he got himself disqualified by repeatedly hitting Rhino with a chair. Spud tried to stop EC3 from the beat down on Rhino, but EC3 threatened to hit him with a chair, thus teasing tension between the two.

On the October 8 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Rockstar Spud snapped and slapped EC3, resulting in Carter firing him as his chief of staff. On October 12, at Bound for Glory, EC3 defeated sumo wrestler Ryota Hama. On the October 15 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter introduced his new bodyguard Tyrus. Carter and Tyrus entered the TNA World Tag Team Championship number one contenders tournament defeating Eric Young and Rockstar Spud in the quarterfinals only to lose to The Hardys on the October 29 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'' in the semi-finals, when Tyrus was pinned by Matt Hardy. On December 31, Hutter re-signed with TNA for a multi-year contract. On the March 13, 2015 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', EC3's feud with Spud came to a conclusion in a hair vs. hair match which Carter won.

TNA World Heavyweight Champion (2015–2016)

After defeating Mr. Anderson on the May 29 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'' to become the number one contender, Carter defeated Kurt Angle on June 25, 2015 (which aired on tape delay on the July 1 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'') to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career. Three days later, on June 28, at Slammiversary XIII, Carter and Tyrus defeated Anderson and Lashley in the co–main event. On the July 8 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', he retained the TNA World Heavyweight Championship three times in one night against Norv Fernum, Shark Boy and Kurt Angle. On the July 15 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', EC3 defeated Drew Galloway to retain his title. At No Surrender, EC3 defeated Matt Hardy in a Full Metal Mayhem match. He successfully retained his title against GFW wrestler PJ Black at Turning Point. Ethan Carter III gave Matt Hardy a last chance to win his title, in a Title vs. Jeff Hardy's Services match, which Matt Hardy accepted. On the September 2 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'' EC3 retained his title and won Jeff Hardy's services. On the September 23 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Ethan Carter III successfully retained his title against his former rival Rockstar Spud. Ethan Carter III finally dropped the championship to Matt Hardy, who pinned Drew Galloway in a three-way match on October 4, at Bound For Glory, after special guest referee Jeff Hardy betrayed him, officially ending Carter's reign at 101 days.

Carter then filed an injunction (kayfabe) that banned Matt Hardy from appearing on ''Impact Wrestling'' for a month, which forced Hardy to relinquish the title in order to stay on the show. Throughout the rest of the year (taped in July), Carter began competing in the TNA World Title Series for an opportunity to regain the vacant championship, in which he continued his winning streak by defeating the likes of Lashley, Mr. Anderson, DJ Z and Davey Richards.

On the January 5, 2016 live episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', during its premiere on ''Pop TV'', Carter defeated Lashley in the semi–finals and Matt Hardy in the finals, to win the tournament and the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for a second time. Three days later, during the tapings of ''Impact Wrestling'', which aired on January 19, Carter lost the title to Hardy in a Last Man Standing match, after Tyrus turned on Carter and attacked him, turning face in the process. In February, Carter started an alliance with his former rival Rockstar Spud in order to even things with Hardy and Tyrus, defeating them in a tag-team match on the February 16 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', only for Spud to attack Carter and cost him his rematch against Hardy during a six sides of steel match at Lockdown. On the March 29 episode of Impact Wrestling, EC3 defeated Matt Hardy, Rockstar Spud, Tyrus and Reby Hardy by disqualification in a Four On One Handicap match.

Various feuds (2016–2017)

On the March 29 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'' Mike Bennett declined a challenge issued to him by Ethan Carter III, leading to Bennett attacking Carter and officially starting a feud between the two. During the April 12 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Bennett and Carter had a match that ended in disqualification when Carter attacked Bennett with a steel chair. On the April 26 episode of '' Impact Wrestling: Sacrifice'', Bennett defeated Carter by pinfall, ending Carter's unpinned streak. On the May 10 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Bennett declined another challenge from Carter unless Carter faced three of his former enemies; if Carter won all the three matches, then he would get to face Bennett at Slammiversary, to which Carter agreed. His first match was against Rockstar Spud in a Six Sides of Steel match, which Carter won. On the May 17 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter's second match was against Tyrus in a Last Man Standing match, which Carter won. On the May 24 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter won his last match against Matt Hardy, but Bennett refused to give him his rematch, since Carter won by disqualification. On the May 31 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter was put in charge of the show, and he made the match between himself and Bennett official for Slammiversary. On the June 7 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', EC3 and Gail Kim defeated Mike Bennett and Allie. Ethan Carter III defeated Bennett in a singles match at Slammiversary on June 12.

On two separate occasions, Carter got involved in Drew Galloway's matches with the purpose of aiding him. However his plans backfired when he inadvertently ended up striking Galloway with a chair on the first occasion and the second occasion he struck him with a kendo stick. Following on from this, the two began a heated rivalry, fighting each other on several occasions, including an unsanctioned fight that led to a no-contest at Destination X. Later in August, Carter was involved in the Playoff, the winner of the series would go on to main event the PPV against the reigning champion at the time of the event. Before appearing in his own semi-final match against Matt Hardy, Carter interfered in a match between Drew Galloway and Mike Bennett, during which he intended to try and make-good on his recent mistakes costing Galloway matches. However, as before, he once again struck Drew Galloway, costing him the match. Carter would eventually win the series defeating long-time rival Mike Bennett. Galloway challenged Carter to a match with the winner going on to face the champion at Bound for Glory. The next week, Carter defeated Galloway, with Aron Rex as special referee, to keep his spot in the main event of Bound for Glory against Lashley. At Bound for Glory, he was defeated by Lashley. After the PPV, he started a feud against Eli Drake after his ''Fact of Life'' segment on the October 6 episode of ''Impact Wrestling''. On the October 27 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter and Jessie Godderz were defeated by Eli Drake and Aron Rex. On the November 24 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter defeated Eli Drake in a title shot vs. voice match where if Carter lost, he would lose his TNA World Heavyweight title shot and if Drake lost, he would not be able to talk for the rest of 2016. On the December 8 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', his match against Eddie Edwards for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship ended in a no contest.

On the January 5, 2017, episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', he challenged Lashley and Eddie Edwards for Edwards' TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a three-way match, in a losing effort. At One Night Only: Live!, Carter was defeated by Eddie Edwards, and failed to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. On the January 12 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter was defeated by Lashley in a Last Man Standing match and failed to become number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. On the March 9 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter interrupted the debut of Alberto El Patron saying that he does not deserve a World Championship match. However, his speech was ignored, and a match between El Patron and Lashley was scheduled. Carter watched the main event and congratulated El Patron for his championship win. However, when El Patron relinquished the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, a match between Carter and him for the number one contender was scheduled the following week, which El Patron won by submission.

Impact Grand Champion and departure (2017–2018)

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 the May 11 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter came out dressed as a cowboy and proceeded to berate Storm and the new management of Impact Wrestling. Storm then tried to attack Carter, but Carter retaliated by lashing Storm over thirty times with a leather belt, causing significant injury to his back. The following week, Carter was defeated by 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 three-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. On the May 25 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter defeated Storm and Magnus to 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 Storm in a Strap match.

After that, Carter was put in the orbit of the Impact Grand Championship, which he won on the August 3 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', when he defeated Moose via split decision to win the Impact Grand Championship. On the August 24 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter entered in the twenty man Gauntlet for the Gold match for the vacant GFW World Heavyweight Championship at number 7, but was eliminated by Moose and Eddie Edwards. Then, he started a feud with El Hijo del Fantasma, Pagano and El Texano Jr., Mexican ''luchadores'' from Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA). This culminated in a match at Bound for Glory, where Carter, Storm and Edwards defeated Hijo del Fantasma, Pagano and Texano. After defences against Hijo del Fantasma and Fallah Bahh, Carter put the title on the line against Matt Sydal, but the match ended in a draw. On the January 4 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter retained his title in a three-way match against Sydal and Fallah Bahh. At Genesis, he dropped the title to Sydal. On January 13, 2018, Carter was released from his contract by Impact Wrestling, but remained on Impact programming until March, as his appearances were filmed before his departure.

On the February 1 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter and Alberto El Patrón were defeated by Moose and Johnny Impact in a tag team match. This led to a fatal-four-way match the following week to determine the number one contender for the Impact World Championship, which was won by Impact. On the February 15 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter teamed with a returning Tyrus and defeated Impact and Sydal. After the match, Carter challenged Impact for a match where if he won, he takes his number one contender spot, which Impact accepted. However, Carter lost the match the following week after a misunderstanding with him and Tyrus. On the March 1 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter was defeated by Tyrus. On the March 15 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Carter participated at the Feast or Fired match where he picked one of the briefcases alongside Eli Drake, Petey Williams, and Moose. After the match, he attacked Tyrus with the briefcase. The following week, Carter opened his briefcase, which was revealed to be the Pink Slip, and resulted in him being fired. After initially rejecting the result, he accepted his fate and was cheered by the Impact Zone despite being a heel. However, he attacked Jeremy Borash with his briefcase, before being confronted and attacked by Brian Cage

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