Richard Anthony Swann[9] was born inBaltimore, Maryland,[4][10][11] on February 15, 1991.[8][11] Swann's father was killed by his girlfriend when Swann was 12 years old. His mother died when he was 16,[12] after which Swann "fell in with a rough crowd" and began usingcocaine.[10] However, after his supplier died of a heart attack, Swann, with help from his aunt, stopped using cocaine, got an apartment and finished high school.[10]
In 2009, Swann began training underD. J. Hyde,Drew Gulak,Ruckus, andSabian atCombat Zone Wrestling's (CZW) training school and made his debut for the promotion on May 9, 2009, wrestling in adark match, where he was defeated by Sabian.[1][8][14] Swann made his main card debut on June 13 with a win over Chris Halo.[15] On October 10, Swann entered a tournament to determine the inauguralCZW Wired TV Champion. After a win overJoe Gacy, he was eliminated byAdam Cole in his second round match on November 14.[16][17] On January 30, 2010, Swann formed the "Irish Driveby"tag team with Ryan McBride, defeating the Spanish Armada (Alex Colon and LJ Cruz) in their first match together.[18] After a win over the Switchblade Conspiracy (Joe Gacy andSami Callihan) on February 13,[19] Swann and McBride were granted a shot at theCZW World Tag Team Championship on March 13, but were defeated by the Best Around (Bruce Maxwell and TJ Cannon).[20] Afterwards, Irish Driveby earned victories over teams like Notorious Inc. (Devon Moore and Drew Blood),[21] The Garden State Gods (Corvis Fear and Myke Quest),[22] and Team Macktion (Kirby Mack and T.J. Mack).[23] On August 7, Swann unsuccessfully challenged Drew Gulak for the CZW Wired TV Championship.[24] On September 10, Swann and McBride entered a tournament to determine the new CZW World Tag Team Champions, defeating Team Macktion in their first round match.[25] However, on November 13, they were eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by Philly's Most Wanted (Blk Jeez andJoker).[26] On January 7, 2011, the Irish Driveby was defeated by the Runaways (Joe Gacy and Ryan Slater) in what would turn out to be the team's final match together.[27]
After twice failing to qualify for theBest of the Best X tournament and unsuccessfully challenging Adam Cole for theCZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship,[28][29][30] Swann was looking to restart his CZW career, but on May 14, 2011, suffered another loss against Alex Colon.[31] After the match, Robbie Mireno, Ruckus and Chrissy Rivera entered the ring and announced they were reformingBlackout, before offering both Swann and Colon spots in thestable, which both accepted.[31][32] With his new partners, Swann formed a new, exciting and popular version of one of CZW's most accomplished groups.[33] After a six-month break from CZW, during which Swann supposedly represented Blackout in Japan,[32] Swann returned to the promotion on November 12, when he, Colon and Ruckus defeated Alex Payne, Joe Gacy and Ryan Slater in a six-man tag team match.[34] On January 14, 2012, Swann received another shot at the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship, but was unable to dethrone Sami Callihan.[35] During 2012, Swann began spending more and more time inJapan, resulting in his time with Blackout being short-lived as early in the year, Alex Colon and Chrissy Rivera quit Blackout to form the new 4Loco stable.[32][33] After another seven-month break from CZW, Swann returned to the promotion on August 11, losing to newcomerShane Strickland in a singles match.[36] The two had a rematch on September 8, where Strickland was again victorious. After the match, Swann offered to shake Strickland's hand, but then laid him out with aspin kick.[37][38] On November 10, Swann first unsuccessfully challengedMasada for theCZW World Heavyweight Championship during an afternoon show and later in the evening, also failed to capture the CZW Wired TV Championship fromA. R. Fox in a four-way match, which also included Lucky 13 and rival Shane Strickland.[39] Swann and Strickland had their third singles match against each other on December 8 atCage of Death XIV, where Swann was able to pick up his first win over the newcomer.[40][41][42] Swann received another shot at the CZW Wired TV Championship on February 9, 2013, at CZW's fourteenth anniversary show, but was again defeated by A. R. Fox.[43]
On July 24, 2010, Swann made his debut forDragon Gate USA, defeating Scott Reed at the tapings of theEnter the Dragon 2010pay-per-view.[44] On September 11, Swann made his debut for Dragon Gate USA's close affiliate,Evolve, taking part in a six-way match, which was won byJohnny Gargano.[45] Swann returned to Dragon Gate USA during the September 25–26 weekend, taking part in four-way and six-way matches won byChuck Taylor andBrodie Lee, respectively.[46][47] On October 29 atBushido: Code of the Warrior, Dragon Gate USA's first live internet pay-per-view, Swann was defeated in a singles match byHomicide.[48] Following the match, Swann was approached byAustin Aries, who offered to take him under his wing as his new protégé.[48] However, after Aries was defeated byMasato Yoshino, Swann seemingly turned down his offer.[48] Later that same event, Swann, Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano attackedCima andRicochet, before announcing that they were not joining any of Dragon Gate USA's established stables, but were instead forming a new one named "Ronin".[48] Thevillainous Ronin stable wrestled their first match together at the following day'sFreedom Fight 2010 pay-per-view, defeating Aries,Genki Horiguchi and Ricochet in a six-man tag team match.[49] On January 28, 2011, atUnited: NYC, Swann was defeated by Aries in a singles match.[50] During that same weekend, Ronin started a rivalry with the Blood Warriors, a new villainous stable led by Cima, effectively ending Ronin's run as villains.[50][51] On March 1, Swann and the rest of the Ronin stable started their first tour of Japan with Dragon Gate USA's parent promotion, Dragon Gate.[52] During the tour, which lasted until March 15, Ronin worked mainly in matches against the Blood Warriors.[52][53][54] On April 3 at Open the Ultimate Gate 2011, Austin Aries, who had just lost a match, where he had put his Dragon Gate USA career on the line, feigned passing the torch to his former rivals in Ronin, but instead ended up turning on them and joining Blood Warriors.[55] On June 3 atFearless 2011, Swann was defeated in a singles match by Blood Warriors leader Cima, following interference from Aries.[56] Two days later atEnter the Dragon 2011, Swann and Gargano teamed withMasato Yoshino in a six-man elimination tag team match, where they defeated Blood Warriors representatives Austin Aries, Brodie Lee and Cima.[57]
On June 8, 2011, Swann, without Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano, started his second tour of Dragon Gate.[58] During the tour, Swann aligned himself with Blood Warriors' rival stable, Junction Three.[59] On July 24, Swann unsuccessfully challengedNaoki Tanizaki for theBlood Warriors Authorized Open the Brave Gate Championship.[60] On August 6, Swann and Junction Three stablemateGamma entered the2011 Summer Adventure Tag League, but were eliminated in their first round match by Blood Warriors representativesNaruki Doi andYasushi Kanda.[61] During the tour, Swann also got to show hiscomedic side, first working under thering name "RichIchikawa",[2] and then as "SwannHansen" in a match on November 5, where he defeatedStalker Ichikawa for theOpen the Owarai Gate Championship, Dragon Gate's comedy wrestling title.[3] In mid-November, Swann returned to the United States for a week to take part in Dragon Gate USA events. During the events, Swann, Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano began having problems with each other.[62] On November 13 atFreedom Fight 2011, Swann earned a big win, when he pinned Blood Warriors memberAkira Tozawa in a tag team match, where he and Chuck Taylor faced Tozawa andBxB Hulk.[63] Six days later, Swann returned to Japan and Dragon Gate.[64] The tour lasted until Dragon Gate's final event of 2011 on December 25, during which Swann and Junction Three stablematesDragon Kid and Gamma unsuccessfully challengedKzy, Naruki Doi and Naoki Tanizaki for theOpen the Triangle Gate Championship.[65] After the match, Tanizaki attacked Swann and stole his Open the Owarai Gate Championship belt, which was latervacated as a result.[66] Swann returned to Dragon Gate in February 2012 and on February 9, took part in a fourteen-man tag team match, where Blood Warriors defeated Junction Three, which, as a result, was forced to disband.[67] The following month, Swann aligned himself with the new World-1 International stable to opposeMad Blankey, the former Blood Warriors taken over and renamed by Akira Tozawa.[68] On March 29, Swann made another short return to the United States, taking part in a Dragon Gate USA and CZW co-promoted event, which saw Ronin being defeated by Mad Blankey representatives Akira Tozawa, BxB Hulk andUhaa Nation in a three-way trios match, which also included the D.U.F. trio ofArik Cannon, Pinkie Sanchez andSami Callihan.[69] During the following day's Open the Ultimate Gate 2012 pay-per-view, Chuck Taylor turned on Johnny Gargano, effectively ending Ronin.[70]
On March 31 atMercury Rising 2012, Swann took part in a six-way "Chuck Taylor Invitational" match, which was won byEl Generico.[71] Later that same event, Swann saved Johnny Gargano from Chuck Taylor, chasing his former stablemate out of the arena.[71] In April, Swann returned to Dragon Gate for another tour, during which he again made appearances as "Swann Hansen".[72] On July 28, Swann defeated Chuck Taylor via disqualification in a Dragon Gate USA grudge match.[73] The following day atEnter the Dragon 2012, Swann and World-1 International stablemate Ricochet were defeated by A. R. Fox and Cima in a match for the vacantOpen the United Gate Championship.[74] On November 2 atFearless 2012, Swann pinned Chuck Taylor for the win in a six-man captain's fall tag team match, where he teamed withA. C. H. and Cima and Taylor with his new Gentleman's Club stablemates Drew Gulak and Orange Cassidy.[75] Two days later atFreedom Fight 2012, Swann defeated Taylor in aNo Disqualification match.[76] On February 14, 2013, Swann returned to Dragon Gate, teaming with Masato Yoshino in a tag team match, where they defeatedJimmy Kagetora and Jimmy Kanda.[77] On March 3, Swann teamed with World-1 International stablemates Naruki Doi and Shachihoko Boy to defeat the Jimmyz (Genki Horiguchi H.A.Gee.Mee!!, Mr. Kyu Kyu Naoki Tanizaki Toyonaka Dolphin andRyo "Jimmy" Saito) for the Open the Triangle Gate Championship.[78] On May 10, Swann entered his firstKing of Gate tournament, but was eliminated in his first round match by Genki Horiguchi H.A.Gee.Mee!!.[79] On June 1, Swann received a shot at the Open the Brave Gate Championship, but was defeated by the defending champion, Masato Yoshino.[80] On June 5, Swann, Doi and Shachihoko lost the Open the Triangle Gate Championship to M2K (Jimmy Susumu,K-Ness andMasaaki Mochizuki) in their second title defense.[81][82] On July 28 at Enter the Dragon 2013, Dragon Gate USA's fourth anniversary event, Swann teamed up with his World-1 International stablemate Ricochet to unsuccessfully challengeThe Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) for the Open the United Gate Championship.[83] On September 22 at Evolve 24, Swann unsuccessfully challenged former Ronin stablemate Johnny Gargano for theOpen the Freedom Gate Championship.[84] The rivalry between Swann and Gargano culminated in an "Evolution's End" match on August 10, 2014, where Swann was victorious. Post-match, Swann was attacked by the Premier Athlete Brand ofAnthony Nese,Caleb Konley andSu Yung, leading to Gargano returning to the ring and chasing the three away.[85]
On September 13, Swann received his first shot at theEvolve Championship, but was defeated by the defending champion,Drew Galloway.[86] On January 10, 2015, Swann, Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano reformed Ronin and defeated theBravado Brothers (Harlem and Lancelot) andMoose in a match, where the losing team had to split up.[87] On April 18, Swann and Gargano defeated Anthony Nese and Caleb Konley to win the Open the United Gate Championship.[88] On May 30, Ronin successfully defended the title against Drew Gulak and Tracey Williams. After the match, Gargano announced they were retiring the Open the United Gate Championship since Dragon Gate was the past and demanded the creation of theEvolve Tag Team Championship.[89] On August 15, Swann turned on Gargano, costing him his match against Ethan Page.[90] Swann would defeat Gargano the next night after interference from Page.[91]
On November 21, 2009, Swann made his debut forJersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW), losing to his trainer D. J. Hyde.[93] Swann made his second appearance for the promotion on March 20, 2010, when he unsuccessfully challenged Bandido Jr. for theJAPW Light Heavyweight Championship in a five-way match.[93]
On January 16, 2010, Swann won his first professional wrestling title, defeatingLince Dorado to become the inaugural Real Championship Wrestling (RCW) Cruiserweight Champion.[94] After one successful title defense against Skull, Swann lost the title to Steve Diaz in a three-wayladder match, which also included Skull, on June 5, 2010.[94]
On April 24, 2010, Swann made his debut for theChikara promotion, when he took part in theRey de Voladores opening round four-way match, which was won byOphidian and also includedCheech Hernandez andFrightmare.[95][96] Swann returned to the promotion on February 19, 2011, when he unsuccessfully challenged Frightmare for theChikara Young Lions Cup.[96][97] On September 20, 2014, Swann returned to take part in the 2014Rey de Voladores tournament, but was defeated by Shynron in a four-way match, also involving Chuck Taylor andTigre Uno.[98]
On November 7, 2010, Swann made his debut for the GermanWestside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) promotion, teaming with Bernd Föhr, Greg Excellent andZack Sabre Jr. in an eight-man tag team match, where they were defeated by Adam Cole, Blk Jeez, Drew Gulak and Karsten Beck.[99]
Swann in January 2014
On December 3, 2010, Swann madeFull Impact Pro (FIP) debut, entering the2010 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup and defeating Grizzly Redwood in his first round match.[100] The next day, he defeatedJigsaw to advance to the semifinals of the tournament, where he was defeated by Sami Callihan.[101] Swann returned to FIP on October 11, 2013, when he unsuccessfully challengedTrent Barreta for theFIP World Heavyweight Championship.[102] The next day, Swann'sFIP Florida Heritage Championship match withGran Akuma ended in a time limit draw.[103] On December 6, Swann wrestledRoderick Strong in a match, which ended in ano contest, after the two were attacked byFIP Tag Team Champions,The Bravado Brothers (Harlem and Lancelot).[104] This led to a tag team match, where Swann and Strong defeated The Bravado Brothers to become the new FIP Tag Team Champions.[104] Next day, at Violence is the Answer, they retained the title againstAndrew Everett and Caleb Konley.[105] They lost the title to Juicy Product (David Starr andJ. T. Dunn) on May 2, 2014.[106] On November 14, during FIP's parent companyWWNLive's tour of China, Swann defeated Trent Barreta for the FIP World Heavyweight Championship.[107] He was stripped of the title due to an injury on February 20, 2015.[108] Swann regained the title from Roderick Strong on April 18.[109] He lost it to Caleb Konley on July 3.[110]
On December 11, 2012, Swann made his Mexican debut for the Desastre Total Ultraviolento (DTU) promotion in a seven-way elimination match for theAAA Cruiserweight Championship. Swann was the last man eliminated byDaga, who, as a result, retained his title.[111] On November 1, 2013, Swann won a six-way match for the Florida Underground Wrestling (FUW) Flash Championship.[112] He lost the title toJesus De Leon on September 26, 2014.[112] On March 15, 2014,The Inner City Machine Guns made an appearance for English promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW), defeatingThe Swords of Essex (Paul Robinson andWill Ospreay) to win theUndisputed British Tag Team Championship.[113][114]
On January 12, 2013, Swann teamed up with Ricochet for the2013 Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament. The team, dubbed "The Inner City Machine Guns", was eliminated in their first round match by The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson).[120] The Inner City Machine Guns returned to take part in PWG's All Star Weekend 9, defeating the team of A. R. Fox andSamuray del Sol during the first night on March 22.[121][122] During the second night, they teamed with Fox in a six-man tag team match, where they were defeated byBrian Cage,Kevin Steen andMichael Elgin.[123] On August 9 at PWG's tenth anniversary event, the Inner City Machine Guns unsuccessfully challenged The Young Bucks for thePWG World Tag Team Championship in a three-way ladder match, which also included the DojoBros (Eddie Edwards and Roderick Strong).[124] Swann returned to PWG on August 30 to take part in the2013 Battle of Los Angeles, but was eliminated from the tournament in his first round match by Michael Elgin.[125] On January 31, 2014, the Inner City Machine Guns made it to the finals of the2014 Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament, before losing to the Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent?).[126] In thefollowing year's tournament, the Inner City Machine Guns defeatedBiff Busick and Drew Gulak in the first round, before falling to eventual tournament winners Andrew Everett andTrevor Lee in the semifinals.[127]
Swann then entered his third consecutiveBattle of Los Angeles on August 29, 2015, but was defeated in the first round byMarty Scurll.[128] The following day, he teamed with Ricochet,Angélico andFénix in an eight-man tag team match, where they were defeated by Mount Rushmore 2.0 (Roderick Strong,Super Dragon and The Young Bucks). This turned out to be Swann's final appearance for PWG before signing withWWE.[129]
Following an Evolve show in 2014, rapperWale sent out atweet, stating that Swann andUhaa Nation needed to be in WWE, calling them "the future of the business".[13] This got the attention ofMark Henry, who arranged a WWE tryout for Swann in September 2014.[13] A year later, it was reported that Swann had signed a developmental contract with the promotion and would be reporting to itsdevelopmental branchNXT the following month.[130] WWE officially announced Swann's signing to NXT on October 28.[131] Swann made his debut at an NXThouse show on October 30, wrestling in a Halloweenbattle royal, which was won byBayley.[132] Swann made his singles match debut at a house show on November 20, losing to Riddick Moss.[133] He made his first televised appearance on the January 20, 2016, episode ofNXT, losing toBaron Corbin.[134] On the March 23 episode ofNXT, Swann was defeated byNXT ChampionFinn Bálor.[135] On October 13, Swann andNo Way Jose entered the 2016Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, defeating Drew Gulak and Tony Nese in their first round match.[136] They were eliminated from the tournament on October 28 byThe Authors of Pain (Akam andRezar).[137]
On June 13, 2016, Swann was announced as a participant in the upcomingCruiserweight Classic tournament.[138] The tournament began on June 23 with Swann defeating Jason Lee in his first round match.[139] On July 14, Swann defeated Lince Dorado in his second round match.[140] On August 26, Swann was eliminated from the tournament in the quarterfinals by eventual winnerT. J. Perkins.[141]
On the August 22 episode ofRaw, Swann was announced as part of the upcoming cruiserweight division.[142] Swann made hisRaw debut on September 19, wrestling in a four-way match won byBrian Kendrick and also includedCedric Alexander andGran Metalik.[143] On the November 21Raw, Swann defeatedNoam Dar and T. J. Perkins to become the #1 contender to theWWE Cruiserweight Championship.[144] On November 29, Swann defeated Brian Kendrick on the premiere episode of205 Live to win the title.[145] The following week, Swann defeated Kendrick in a rematch to retain the title, following a distraction from Perkins.[146] On December 18 atRoadblock: End of the Line, Swann retained the title in a triple threat match against Kendrick and Perkins. After the match, Swann and Perkins were attacked by a returningNeville.[147] On January 29, 2017, Swann lost the Cruiserweight Championship to Neville atRoyal Rumble.[148] After recovering from a minor injury, Swann received his title rematch against Neville on the March 6Raw, but again lost.[149]
On December 10, 2017, following hisarrest, WWE suspended Swann indefinitely for violating the company's zero tolerance policy against domestic violence.[150][151] He was originally scheduled to face Drew Gulak in a match to determine the number one contender to the Cruiserweight Championship, (which was then held byEnzo Amore), the following night onRaw, but the match was cancelled in light of his domestic violence arrest.[152] On February 15, 2018, WWE officially announced that Swann and WWE had mutually agreed on his release.[153]
Following his release from the WWE, Swann's return to the independent circuit was confirmed for Mexican promotionThe Crash Lucha Libre on March 17 in Tijuana, Mexico. He was also announced to be making appearances for both theHouse of Hardcore promotion and theUnited Kingdom's Southside Wrestling Entertainment. On April 14, Swann made a surprise return to CZW, announcing himself as the final participant in Best of the Best 17.[154] Due to Impact Wrestling's andMajor League Wrestling's partnerships with AAA, Swann appeared atTriplemanía XXVI to fight Brian Cage, Jeff Jarrett and Fenix.
On June 2, 2018, Swann made his debut inMajor League Wrestling (MLW) defeating Kotto Brazil.[155] On June 30, he was defeated by ACH, following that he began teaming with ACH on the program.[156] On July 7, Swann and ACH defeatedTeam Filthy (Simon Gotch andTom Lawlor).[157] The two would then feud with theHart Foundation (Brian Pillman Jr.,Teddy Hart andDavey Boy Smith Jr.) but would be defeated on each encounter. On August 25, ACH and Swann faced theLucha Bros. for the MLW Tag Team Championships in a losing effort. ACH would stop appearing for the promotion in September 2018, putting an end to their tag team. On December 15, Swann would return to being a singles competitor losing toRush.[158] On January 12, 2019, Swann was defeated byDragon Lee, in a match where he wrestled as a heel. However at the end of the match he shook Lee's hand. On February 17, Swann would lose to the debutingAce Austin. After the match, Swann would attack the referee, commentator Rich Bocchini and the ring announcer cementing his heel turn in the process.[159] The following week he defeatedLance Anoa'i in a singles match.[160]
Impact Wrestling / Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2018–present)
Swann made his debut forImpact Wrestling on June 21, 2018, defeatingTrevor Lee.[161] It would be later revealed he signed a multi-year deal with the company. On the July 5 episode ofImpact, Swann lost toFénix. On the July 12 episode ofImpact, Swann andThe Lucha Bros (Fénix andPentagón Jr.) lost toOhio Versus Everything (Dave Crist, Jake Crist andSami Callihan). On the September 20 episode ofImpact, Swann andMatt Sydal lost to The Lucha Bros.
On the October 4 episode ofImpact, Swann lost to Sydal after interference from the debutingEthan Page. On the October 11 episode ofImpact, Swann revealedWillie Mack would be his tag team partner atBound for Glory, where they defeated Sydal and Page. On the October 18 episode ofImpact, Swann lost toBrian Cage in anX Division Championship match. On the November 29 episode ofImpact, Swann and Mack lost to The Lucha Bros.
On the December 13 episode ofImpact, Swann defeatedDave Crist in an Ultimate X Qualifier. AtHomecoming, Swann defeated Ethan Page,Jake Crist and Trey Miguel in anUltimate X match to win the vacantImpact X Division Championship. On the January 25 episode ofImpact, Swann defeated Hijo Del Vikingo; after the match,Sami Callihan offered Swann a spot in his faction OVE, but Swann declined. On the February 8 episode ofImpact, Swann was attacked by Callihan and was thrown off the ramp through a table. On the March 8 episode ofImpact, OVE made a last ditch effort to recruit Swann to the group, but he attacked them instead. On the March 22 episode ofImpact, Swann defeated Callihan to retain the X Division Championship. AtUnited We Stand, Swann defeatedFlamita to retain the X Division Championship. AtImpact Wrestling Rebellion, Swann defeated Callihan in anoVe Rules match to retain the X Division Championship. AtSlammiversary XVII, Swann defeatedJohnny Impact to retain the X Division Championship. Swann lost the championship toJake Crist on the July 19 tapings ofImpact, ending his reign at 194 days. This episode aired on tape delay on July 26. AtUnbreakable, Swann and Willie Mack competed in a three-way tag team match for theImpact World Tag Team Championship, which was won byThe North. AtPrelude to Glory, Swann and Mack defeated TheDesi Hit Squad (Mahabali Shera andRohit Raju). AtBound for Glory, Swann and Mack competed in another three-way tag team match for the Impact World Tag Team Championship, which was again won by The North. AtTurning Point, Swann and Mack unsuccessfully challenged The North for the Impact World Tag Team Championship.
Swann made his return from injury in the main event ofSlammiversary on July 18, 2020, competing in an elimination match for the Impact World Championship, eliminatingEric Young, who attacked Swann and re-injured his knee with a steel chair.[164] On the August 4 episode ofImpact!, Swann announced his (kayfabe) retirement from wrestling due to the injury. As Swann was exiting the arena, he was once again attacked by Young.[165] Swann returned on the September 1 episode ofImpact!, where he attacked Young after winning the Impact World Championship.[166] The following week onImpact!, Swann announced that he had been medically cleared to compete and challenged Young for the Impact World Championship atBound for Glory which Young accepted.[167] At the event, Swann defeated Young to win the Impact World Championship for the first time.[168] On the October 27 episode ofImpact!, Swann made his first successful title defense in a rematch against Young.[169] He then successfully defended the title against Sami Callihan atTurning Point andChris Bey atFinal Resolution.[170][171]
On May 28, Swann defeatedMatt Cardona at the Vegas Vacation event held by The Wrestling Revolver to win theImpact Digital Media Championship for the first time.[191] Afterwards, Cardona refused to give up the title, attacked Swann after the match, and made it off with the title belt.[192][193] On the June 9 episode ofImpact!, Cardona appeared on aZoom call with tag team partnerBrian Myers, "relinquishing" the title to the latter after suffering a torn bicep.[194][195][196] Myers challenged Swann to a Digital Media Championship match atSlammiversary to determine the "real" champion,[197] where Swann defeated Myers to retain the title.[198][199] AtAgainst All Odds, Swann lost the title to Myers in aDot Combat match, ending his reign at 35 days.[200] On the August 18 episode ofImpact!, Swann competed in asix-way elimination match to determine the number one contender to Josh Alexander's Impact World Championship atBound for Glory, which was won by Eddie Edwards.[201] AtVictory Road, Swann teamed withHeath and Alexander in a six-man tag match against Honor No More, which they lost.[202] At Bound for Glory, Swann competed in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet, eliminating Eric Young but was eliminated bySteve Maclin.[203] On theCountdown to Over Drive pre-show, Swann won a six-way match.[204]
On August 21, it was reported that TNA suspended Swann after his arrest for disorderly intoxication and entered into rehab.[221] On April 14, 2025, It was reported that Swann had left TNA following the expiration of his contract with the promotion. During the July 25 tapings of iMPACT!, Swann made his return and rejoined Fir$t Cla$$.[222] On October 12 atBound for Glory, Swann competed in the 22-personIntergenderCall Your Shot Gauntlet, being eliminated by fellow Fir$t Cla$$ member A. J. Francis.[223]
Swann has formerly utilized astanding450° splash as hisfinisher up to 2016, and currently uses aPhoenix splash from the middle or top rope.[224] During his tenure in WWE, Swann had almost been given the name Silk Morris.[225]
Swann married his girlfriend of five years, Vannarah Riggs, a fellow professional wrestler better known asSu Yung, in March 2017.[151] On December 30, 2021, Riggs announced that she was pregnant with the couple's first child.[227] Their son was born in February 2022.[228]
On December 10, 2017, Swann was arrested inGainesville, Florida on charges of battery and kidnapping/false imprisonment.[229][230] The victim was identified as his wife. According to the arrest report, Swann and Riggs had gotten into an argument over Swann criticizing Riggs' performance at a show that night. When Riggs tried to get away from Swann, witnesses state that he grabbed her in aheadlock and dragged her back into his car.[151][152] Swann was released from Alachua County Jail later that same day and told to get in contact with court services.[231]On January 25, 2018, all charges against Swann were dismissed, when a determination was made by prosecutors that there was "insufficient evidence" to move forward with the case.[232]
On August 21, 2024, Swann was reported to be entering rehab following his second arrest for disorderly intoxication since 2022. This latest arrest is part of ongoing legal and personal challenges he has faced in recent years.[221]
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