CityPaper.com recently interviewed Rich Swann and did a profile on his career and ultimately joining WWE. Below are some highlights.
Swann on his troubled upbringing with his alcoholic and abusive father: “I witnessed a lot of abuse between the two. My father was … a real bad alcoholic and there was a lot of domestic violence.” He moved around a lot, living near the Security Square Mall in Woodlawn, in White Marsh, and on Biddle Street. At one point, his mother kicked out his father; when Rich was 12, his father was stabbed to death by his girlfriend. As his mother’s health failed, Swann was sent to live with family friends in Arizona for a year.
Swann on how wrestling got him through his youth: “I grew up with my friends, wrestling around, imitating guys like Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko. I always saw myself in that role if I ever made it.”
Swann on learning from Doug Rosario and Doug Becker: “I always looked up to those guys as great performers and entertainers. [They] molded me into the man I am today.”
Swann on the tragedies of his youth: “Those are the things that happen in life. All that matters is how you handle certain situations and how you can pick yourself up from it, you know?”
