The final match of the tournament took place at Bound for Glory on October 2, with Aron Rex becoming the inaugural champion by defeating Eddie Edwards (replacement for the legitimately injured Drew Galloway).

[2][3] On the January 25, 2018 Genesis episode of Impact!, Matt Sydal defeated champion Ethan Carter III in a "No Rounds, No Judges" match.

Subsequent title defenses would also be contested under standard rules, no longer using rounds, points systems or judges.

[4] On June 4, 2018, during the Slammiversary XVI press conference, Austin Aries announced that the Grand and Impact World Championship would be merged/unified.

Aron Rex became the inaugural champion by defeating Eddie Edwards in the tournament final at 2016's Bound for Glory on October 2.