On 15 March episode of "Impact Wrestling", Galloway cashed in his Feast or Fired briefcase and defeated Matt Hardy to capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career, thus becoming the first-ever Scottish-born TNA World Heavyweight Champion. This also would make him the first man to successfully cash-in a Feast or Fired briefcase for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Galloway announced his plan to be ""the first travelling World Champion since Ric Flair"" and touted upcoming independent defences across Europe and the United States. He made his first defence of the title on 29 March episode of "Impact Wrestling", defeating Jeff Hardy to retain the title. On 5 April episode of "Impact Wrestling", Galloway defeated Matt Hardy in a rematch for TNA World Heavyweight Championship. At Sacrifice, Galloway would overcome rib injuries inflicted from having been repeatedly speared by Lashley to retain his title over the Bound for Gold winner Tyrus. On 17 May episode of "Impact Wrestling", Galloway won a lumberjack match against Lashley, who was at the time the #1 contender, by disqualification after he was dragged from the ring and assaulted by the heel lumberjacks, thusly retaining his championship. Galloway would lose the title to Lashley at Slammiversary, ending his reign at 89 days.