Add as a preferred source on Google Rich Swann is staying with TNA. The company confirmed on Wednesday, July 8, that the former world champion has signed a new contract, shortly after Swann said the same in an interview with the Daily Star.
The new deal ends a period of uncertainty surrounding Swann’s status with the promotion. Last October, Fightful Select reported that he was working on a per-appearance basis after returning to TNA programming.
“I really believe in this company. I feel great. I feel like right now TNA is at the spot that it needs to be. We’re killing it every Thursday night, ad I’m just happy to be a part of that. I’ve been a part of Impact Wrestling and TNA since 2018. To have this freaking spot, it just feels awesome. I really believe in this company, from the X Division to its Tag Division to its KO Division.
“What drives me is, I’ve seen this company at its lowest and people have always targeted TNA. They said ‘Oh, they’re going to die. Oh, they’re going to they’re going to lose their grip. They ain’t going to be nothing. They ain’t going to be a footnote in this industry.’ I’ve seen us rise from the ashes and shut the doubters up. And I love being a part of that. That’s another thing that drives me. I love proving people wrong. I love it.”
Swann has been with TNA since 2018 and has held the Impact World Championship, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, the X Division Championship, and the Digital Media Championship. Swann still has another goal in mind: getting back to the top of the company and becoming a Grand Slam Champion.
In April, he challenged Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship on iMPACT! in a highly praised match that was mentioned on commentary as a candidate for the company’s match of the year.
Swann was also involved in last Thursday’s Six-Way Scramble Match, which saw Fabian Aichner become the new No. 1 contender to Cedric Alexander’s X Division Championship.
The renewal also comes just weeks before Lockdown returns. The pay-per-view is set for August 23 at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago.