text: On the January 29, 2009 episode of Impact, a video aired in which Joe – sporting a buzz cut, face paint, and a much heavier frame – stated he wanted to introduce the Main Event Mafia to his "Nation of Violence". Joe subsequently began feuding with Main Event Mafia member Scott Steiner, including a controversial angle where he menaced Steiner with a large knife. At Destination X in March 2009, Joe quickly lost to Steiner by disqualification after throwing the referee out of the ring. At Lockdown in April 2009, Joe teamed with Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Jeff Jarrett to defeat the Main Event Mafia in a Lethal Lockdown match. Joe went to feud with Main Event Mafia member Kevin Nash, defeating him at Sacrifice in May 2009.
  At Slammiversary Seven in June 2009, Joe competed in a King of the Mountain match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship; at the climax of the match, instead of winning himself, Joe handed the title belt to Kurt Angle, enabling him to win. On the June 25 episode of Impact, Joe officially joined the Main Event Mafia. At Victory Road in July 2009, Joe defeated Sting by submission in a grudge match with the assistance of the debuting Taz, who was announced as Joe's new adviser. The relationship between Joe and Taz ended the following month when Taz became a color commentator. At Hard Justice in August 2009, Joe defeated Homicide to win the X Division Championship for the fourth time. At No Surrender the following month, Joe successfully defended the X Division Championship against Christopher Daniels. On the October 8 episode of Impact, Joe lost the X Division Championship to Amazing Red after Bobby Lashley interfered in the match. At Bound for Glory later that month, Lashley defeated Joe in a submission match via referee stoppage. On the following episode of Impact, the Main Event Mafia was disbanded by Kurt Angle.
  World Heavyweight Championship pursuits (2009–2010)