TNA True Impact No. 3: What's Next For Foley? Will He Join the Mafia?

At TNA's Lockdown pay-per-view, three championships changed hands, but one stands out among the crowd.

Many people expected Angelina Love to win the Knockouts' title and Team 3D to leave Philadelphia with tag title gold, but no one expected Mick Foley to pull out the win over Sting to become the TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

The 43-year-old Foley joins Sting, Kurt Angle, and Samoa Joe as the fourth man to hold the belt since TNA and NWA split apart.

But with any hope, Foley won't be holding on to the belt for too long.

In his last years with WWE, Foley wrestled occasionally, despite being "retired." When doing so, he was always willing to put over the younger stars and that's an option here.

There are three main potential scenarios that could stem from Foley's championship reign. Let's examine.

Foley joins the Main Event Mafia

Two of the top potential storyline moments involve Mick Foley aligning himself with Angle, Booker T, Scott Steiner, and Kevin Nash. Note that the name Sting does not appear on that list.

After the events of Sunday, Foley turns full-blown heel, fully resurrecting the Cactus Jack persona.

He and the Mafia cut a promo on Impact and they welcome him in with open arms. In the main event, the Mafia turn on Sting and literally kick him out of the group and the Impact Zone.

From here, there are two potential storylines.

One involves Foley defending the title against Sting (preferably on Impact rather than at May's Sacrifice pay-per-view). Sting aligns himself with the Frontline.

Once Foley defeats Sting, he moves on to another Frontline star—this time either A.J. Styles or Samoa Joe.

A.J. should go over and earn his first TNA World Heavyweight Title (he was a NWA World Champion previously), but it's more likely Joe will become a two-time champion.

Under this story angle, Foley continues his tradition of passing the torch to a younger star and allows the belt to transition hands rather quickly.

No one wants to see who everyone should agree is past his prime of wrestling—carry the belt into Slammiversary.

The other story angle (no pun intended) is that Foley gives the belt to Angle, who has desperately wanted to regain his gold for a long time.

Foley could admit he's past his ability to wrestle every week and lie down to Angle in a match to pass off the belt.

If TNA is trying to keep Angle around when his contract expires later this year, a third heavyweight title run isn't out of the picture.

Foley would also generate some major heel heat lying down to Angle, which could spark a feud between TNA's executive shareholder and the company's founder.

Foley doesn't join the Main Event Mafia, but brings gold to the Frontline

The other option isn't as detailed and the likely path to go from here.

Foley takes the championship to the Frontline and brings a sense of momentum to their cause.

The Mafia could still kick Sting to the curb, saying he is no longer valuable without his gold. He could even come over and join Foley on the Frontline side.

This story arc may create some generic face/heel matchups for the belt, likely culminating again in Angle's third championship reign.

In closing

TNA threw a major curveball Sunday and has the potential to build off it. Bring Foley to the Mafia and align him with Angle. Make him one of the most hated men in TNA.

Let him feud with Jarrett.

Let the fans win this one by not seeing a past-his-prime Foley carry the belt for months. Rather, help put over the younger guys.

Expect to see Joe, Angle, or A.J. take the belt from Foley and that's the order of probability.

Until next time...