At tonight’s CZW Best of the Best tournament, former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rich Swann made his surprise return, not only to the company he wrestled for from 2009 till he signed with the WWE in 2015, but to wrestling itself. It was just over a month ago that Rich Swann announced he was retiring from professional wrestling, cancelling all his indie bookings (including WrestleMania weekend) since his departure from the WWE on February 15th, 2018.

His last match before tonight was December 5, 2017, against Tony Nese on WWE’s 205 Live. Swann was announced as the final (and surprise) entrant into Best of the Best, CZW’s annual tournament since 2001, and was inserted into the original triple threat first round match between Joey Janela, Brandon Kirk, and Joe Gacy. Despite his surprise return, Swann failed to advance out of the first round, taking the pin from Gacy.

It remains to be seen if this is a one-night-only appearance, or if Swann is back on the Indy scene.

Rich Swann Returns To Wrestling at CZW Best of the Best

Wait what the?#BOTB17 @combatzone pic.twitter.com/BX2yZpTZtt

— Jocay ?? (@Jocay19) April 15, 2018

Welcome back @GottaGetSwann to the @combatzone and into #BOTB17 pic.twitter.com/QtbSxG30YO

— Jocay ?? (@Jocay19) April 15, 2018

Welcome back @GottaGetSwann #BOTB17 @combatzone pic.twitter.com/ruzeDKVD0D

— Jocay ?? (@Jocay19) April 15, 2018