At One Night Only Live. The Wolves defended their world tag titles in the Three-way tag team match against Kurt Angle and Drew Galloway and Eli Drake and Jessie Godderz which saw the Wolves retained the titles. On the January 26 edition of Impact Wrestling, The Wolves was attacked by the newest stable called The Decay consisting of Abyss, Crazzy Steve and the debuting Rosemary and stole the titles. however he retained the titles from them on the February 2 episode of Impact Wrestling, the following week, The Wolves continue the feud and challenge them to a hardcore Monster's Ball match which was won by the Decay. On the March 8 episode of Impact Wrestling, The Wolves dropped the titles to Beer Money, Inc. (James Storm and Bobby Roode). In March, Richards suffered an ACL injury and Edwards started his singles run by feuding with TNA X Division Champion Trevor Lee. In July at Destination X, Richards was seen on a TNA broadcast for the first time in months, when he joined Edwards at ringside in a run-in with TNA World Heavyweight Champion Lashley in the build-up to their match later that evening. Richards confirmed on the broadcast that he was there to support Edwards in his landmark match, although was still "A way off being in a condition to compete." Eddie's match resulted in a no-contest when Mike Bennett interfered in the match flooring the referee and then invited new signee to TNA, Moose to the ring, who had a confrontation with Lashley. On January 5, 2017, Richards made his return to TNA, helping Edwards retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, by stopping Lashley from hitting Edwards with the title. Richards faced Lashley on January 6, 2017 at in a losing effort. On the February 9 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Richards turned heel by costing Edwards' his TNA World Heavyweight Championship rematch against Lashley. Afterwards, Richards and his wife Angelina Love attacked Edwards and his wife Alisha Edwards, thus ending The Wolves in the process. Richards' character then went through a complete transformation, sporting new theme music, trunks, being infatuated with Love and calling himself "The Lone Wolf". On the February 16 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Richards faced Edwards in a Street Fight, however the match ended in a no-contest. On the March 9 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Richards brawled with Edwards at the beginning of the show, but the two were separated by security guards.