The “World Class Maniac” Eric Young has dominated the men’s division in IMPACT since his return over the summer, turning his resentment towards being “creatively imprisoned” into unchecked violence and decimation. Rich Swann, who had only just returned after a knee injury that sidelined him for 6 months, was the prime victim of Young’s attacks.
Eric Young returned to IMPACT Wrestling at Slammiversary as a surprise entrant in the 5 way elimination match for the vacant IMPACT World Championship. Swann would eliminate Young early on, which would set Young off into a fit of rage that lead to Rich Swann reinjuring his knee (in kayfabe). Swann would announce his “retirement” from wrestling after this match on IMPACT, but would be attacked yet again by Eric Young. Swann would make a miraculous recovery after extensive rehab, making him the comeback story of the year in IMPACT. In the main event of Bound for Glory, Rich Swann would hit the Phoenix Splash to win the Impact World Championship for the first time in his career. The locker room would join Swann in celebration, including Tommy Dreamer, who lost to Young on IMPACT trying to defend Swann’s honor.
Rich Swann debuted for Impact Wrestling on July 21st 2018. Before this, he gained stardom as one of the original members of WWE’s rebranded Cruiserweight division, having won the Cruiserweight Championship from The Brian Kendrick on the debut edition of 205 Live on November 29th, 2016. After his release in 2018, he would cover the independent circuit in Mexico and the UK before landing in IMPACT. He is also a former X – Division champion, having beaten Trey Miguel, Ethan Page, and Jake Crist in an Ultimate X match at Homecoming 2018.
Eric Young held the title since defeating Eddie Edwards on the September 1st edition of Impact Wrestling. It will be interesting to see if Young will continue his reign of terror over the division after losing the title. His anticipated reaction to his loss will make this weeks episode of IMPACT must-see.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. IMPACT Wrestling Bound for Glory can be seen via pay-per-view on FITE.tv.
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