Austin Aries has recently taken on the moniker of the “Belt Collector” and tonight (Mar. 29) on Impact, he once again proved why.
Aries, who is already Impact world champion, defeated Matt Sydal in a title vs. title match to win the Impact Grand Championship and add more gold to his collection. This was set up earlier in the night when Aries suggested the match to Sydal because the Grand Championship is a title A Double had never held.
If you recall, the Grand Championship was the belt that Sydal gifted his spirit guide Josh Mathews. But since Mathews never actually won it, Sydal was the man to defend it.
This win makes Aries an Impact Grand Slam winner, having held the tag titles, world title, and the X Division title.
The Grand Championship has never really found a place during its short history, which is likely why it’s shifting around like it is. Don Callis, who is a Vice President in the promotion, even pointed it out as the title too many when discussing it on Jericho’s podcast months back.
It’s entirely possible this is all part of Impact phasing out their other secondary title (the X Division title is still present). But for now, it’s another piece of gold for the Belt Collector to show off.
You can find the results to Impact here.