Zack Richards

Zack Richards
Birth name	Zachary Richards II
Ring name(s)	Zack Richards Zack Richards Jr Leo Wyatt Kenny Williams Grant Ward
Billed height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Billed weight	236lbs (107 kg)
Born	March 24, 1986 (age 28) Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Billed from	Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Trained by	Zack Richards Sr Angel
Debut	March 24, 2007
Retired	March 24, 2018

Zachary Richards II (born March 24, 1986) is a Retired Canadian professional wrestler, musician and actor. He is currently signed to Online Wrestling Alliance, currently competing on it's Thunder Brand, where he is in his second reign as OWA Champion

He is a Ten time World Champion, having held the WEW & Galaxy Championship both once, as well as the OWA World Heavyweight Championship, a record six times and the OWA Championship twice. At OWA Stairway To Stardom IV, he was inducted into the Online Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame.

Early Life

Richards was born in 1986 to Zachary Richards Sr and Jessica Richards. His parents split up in 94' and Richards moved to Scotland with his mother for four years before moving to america in 98' and began training to become a professional wrestler, Richards had his first professional match on his 16th birthday competing against Zachary Taylor.

Between the age of 5 and 8, Richards had attended Delta West Academy, before attending Knightswood Primary School and briefly attended Holyrood Secondary School for 2 years in Glasgow, he spent the rest of years of Secondary School, attending Ballard High School in Seattle, Washington before graduating at the age of 18 in 2004.

Professional Wrestling Career

Independent Circuit (2002 - 2009/2012)

World Extreme Wrestling (2002 - October 2009)

Richards made his debut on his 16th birthday against Zachary Taylor, in a winning effort. Richards was later used to get talent over as he lost the majority of his matches until he turned 19, where he gained muscle and gained a better move set. He was booked to face off against Con Negative, but due to injury, Richards received a replacement opponent in Jay Causer, Con Negatives tag team partner. Richards defeated Causer and impressed the officials in doing so. He would later be offered a contract to compete for the company. Upon making his televised debut, he took on and defeated Jacob Cass, and later entered an open invitational Scramble match for the vacant WEW Championship. Richards would be unsuccessful in obtaining any reigns as champion during the match with the match being won by Nenz. Through-out the next several matches Richards would extend his winning streak by defeating the likes of established wrestling stars such as Alexander Hunter, Jackson Lee, Marcus Fraser and Martin Parker. Upon being impressed by Richards, the WEW officials decided to try out Richards against then WEW Champion, Nenz. Who he would later go on to defeat in a one on one match. Having defeated the WEW Champion, Richards earned himself a future shot at the WEW Championship. He then began feuding with someone too familiar with him, his own father, Zack Richards snr. Through the course of the next several months, Both Richards would trade victories over one another in Singles matches, Tag Team matches, and so on. The feud ended at Downfall when Richards Jr defeated his father for the final time an earning himself the number one contenders spot for the WEW Championship.  

Richards would challenge Nenz for the Championship at New Beginnings, and came up short when Jackson Lee interfered on Nenz behalf and cost Richards the championship. Upon receiving a loss at the hands of Nenz, Richards took a few months away from WEW and returned at the New Year’s Devastation Pay per View, where he challenged and defeated Jake Thunder for the WEW Extreme Championhip, Richards would go on to successfully defend the championship for the next several months racking up wins against Thunder, Alexander Hunter, Shane Black, AJ Gold, and his father, Zack Richards snr. Richards would then begin feuding with Jackson Lee, the feud lasted two months, with victories traded between both men, in the final match to end the feud, Jackson Lee defeated Richards for the Extreme Championship. Richards soon moved onto the World Championship having successfully defeated Charlie Johnson in a non-title match. Richards was booked against Charlie Johnson at the Summerbash pay-per-view. The next four weeks consisted of Mind games between both Richards and the Champion, Charlie Johnson. Richards went on to defeat Johnson on August 2, 2008 at Summerbash to become the new WEW Champion. Richard would then begin an undefeated streak for the next 417 days, thus becoming the longest reigning World Champion in the history of WEW. Richards left the title picture on October 9, 2009, after losing the championship to Shane Williams. He would later choose to stay with the company until 2012, where he chose to put talent over and put on what were described as 5 star matches, with several wrestlers, such as Shane Williams, Charlie Johnson, Alexander Hunter.  

Elite Impact Wrestling (March 2012 - June 2012)

Richards made his debut in Elite Impact Wrestling on March 26, 2012 against Ricky Maine in the Main Event in a winning effort. Richards was suspended by General Manager Daniel Kennedy due to a falling out. After a few weeks Richards was brought back and hit a Fatality Twist on Kennedy for suspending him. One week later, he was placed in a match against Antoine and TK Jones for the Chrome Championship. Richards won the Championship in 30 seconds. Richards lost the title one month later to Angel. Having been denied a rematch, he was entered into a tournament to get a match with Angel for the title. Richards won the tournament, but was again denied a shot at Tierney. He was placed into the Elimination Chamber Match for the World Championship. Richards was scheduled to win the EIW World Championship at the event, if not for the demise of Elite Impact Wrestling. The Company closed on June 17 2012.

New Japan Pro Wrestling

Control Terrorism Unit and RISE (2007–2008)

Richards signed a contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in March 2007 under the name Kenny Williams. During his tour of New Japan in late August/early September, he started competing under his real name. He eventually turned heel and started teaming with the Control Terrorism Unit (CTU) in an apprentice-type role. While teaming with CTU, he began a losing streak, aggravating his teammates to such a degree that they did not want anything to do with him anymore. This led to him being given one final chance on 6 October, where he rose to the occasion and impressed his CTU teammates enough to continue his association with them. To solidify his status with the stable, Richards teamed with CTU leader, Jushin Thunder Liger to take on Wataru Inoue and Ryusuke Taguchi. In a huge twist, Richards was the one to make the final cover on Inoue following a stiff brainbuster. From then on he was officially recognized as a member of the CTU.

His momentum was halted in January 2007, when he suffered a serious knee injury, sidelining him from action in New Japan until early May of that year. Afterwards, he returned to action, showing great improvement and was touted by fellow CTU teammate, Minoru, to win the 2007 Best of The Super Jr's Tournament in June 2007. However, this was not meant to be, as Richards scored no points in the event. Following the folding of CTU in August 2007, Richards and Minoru joined the new RISE stable, forming a tag team named "Prince Prince" (named after Devitt's ring name and Minoru's nickname, "Black Prince"). In November 2007, TNA made a tour of NJPW, where Senshi and Christopher Daniels defeated Richards and Minoru.

On 27 January 2008, Richards and Minoru won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship together, Richards's first major title reign. They lost the championship to Akira and Jushin Thunder Liger in February, before regaining the title on 21 July. After a near three-month reign they lost the championship to No Limit (Tetsuya Naito and Yujiro) in October.

Apollo 55 (2009–2013)

Richards teamed with Ryusuke Taguchi as Apollo 55 (アポロ・ゴー・ゴー Aporo Gō Gō?)[16] and on 5 July 2009, at Circuit 2009 New Japan Soul they defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. On 30 May, Richards entered the 2009 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. After winning his block in the round-robin stage of the tournament, Richards advanced to the semifinals, where he defeated Kota Ibushi. In the end, Richards was defeated in the finals of the tournament by Koji Kanemoto. In December, Richards entered the 2009 Super J-Cup. After defeating Atsushi Aoki, Danshoku Dino and Yamato, Richards was once again defeated in the finals of the tournament, this time by Naomichi Marufuji. On 4 January 2010, at Wrestle Kingdom IV in Tokyo Dome, Richards and Taguchi successfully defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against Averno and Último Guerrero. On 21 April, Richards and Taguchi were stripped of the title, after not defending them for 30 days. On 8 May, the two entered the Super J Tag Tournament in an attempt to regain the championship, but were defeated in the finals by the team of El Samurai and Koji Kanemoto.

On 30 May, Richards entered the 2010 Best of the Super Juniors tournament and two weeks later finished second in his block with five victories, advancing to the semifinals of the tournament. On 13 June, Richards first defeated Taiji Ishimori in the semifinals and then Kota Ibushi in the finals to win the tournament and earn a shot at Naomichi Marufuji's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. On 19 June at Dominion 6.19, Richards defeated Marufuji to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the first time. Eleven days later, Richards, Taguchi and Hirooki Goto won the J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament, defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi, TAJIRI and Kushida in the finals. Richards made his first successful Junior Heavyweight Championship title defense on 11 July, defeating Pro Wrestling Noah's Atsushi Aoki. Just over a week later, on 19 July, Richards and Taguchi defeated Koji Kanemoto and El Samurai to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship for the second time as a team. In August Richards entered New Japan's biggest tournament of the year, the G1 Climax, as a substitute for the injured Naomichi Marufuji. Richards managed to win four out of his seven matches in the round-robin stage of the tournament, including a major victory over former four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, but finished fifth in his block and missed advancing to the finals by a single point. On 3 September, Richards made his second successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, defeating DDT Pro-Wrestling representative Kenny Omega. Omega and Kota Ibushi, the team known collectively as the Golden☆Lovers, came back on 11 October at Destruction '10 and defeated Richards and Taguchi to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.

On 11 December, Richards made his third successful IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship defense, defeating another New Japan outsider, Davey Richards. On 4 January 2011, at Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome, Richards successfully defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Kota Ibushi, avenging the loss from the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match. On 23 January at Fantastica Mania 2011, a New Japan and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) co–promoted event in Tokyo, Richards and Taguchi defeated Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi to regain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, making Richards a double IWGP champion for the second time. Richards continued his streak of defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against New Japan outsiders, when he successfully defended the title against Taka Michinoku on 20 February and Kushida on 19 March. In May, Richards took part in the Invasion Tour 2011, New Japan's first tour of the United States, during which he successfully defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Low Ki on 14 May in New York City and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against the Strong Style Thugz (Homicide and Low Ki) on 15 May in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 26 May, Richards entered the 2011 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. After losing his opening match against Davey Richards, Richards went on a seven match winning streak to finish first in his block in the round-robin stage of the tournament. On 10 June, Richards was eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by his own tag team partner, Ryusuke Taguchi. On 18 June at Dominion 6.18, Richards lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Best of the Super Juniors winner, Kota Ibushi, ending his reign at 364 days.

On 23 June, Richards, Taguchi and Hirooki Goto won their second J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament in a row by defeating the team of Giant Bernard, Jushin Thunder Liger and Karl Anderson in the finals of the three-day-long tournament. On 24 July, Richards received his rematch for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at a DDT event, but was unable to regain the title from Ibushi. This led to a match on 14 August, where Apollo 55 successfully defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against the Golden☆Lovers. On 11 September, Apollo 55 defeated Taichi and Taka Michinoku to make their seventh successful IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship defense, breaking the record for most defenses during a single reign. When Kota Ibushi was forced to vacate the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship after dislocating his left shoulder, Richards, as the previous champion, was ushered into a decision match to determine a new champion. On 19 September, Richards defeated Kushida to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the second time. On 10 October at Destruction '11, Richards and Taguchi lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to the No Remorse Corps (Davey Richards and Rocky Romero). Richards made the first successful title defense of his second IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship reign on 12 November at Power Struggle, defeating Taka Michinoku, and followed that up by defeating the man who had pinned him for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, Davey Richards, in his second defense on 4 December. On 23 December, Richards defeated the other half of No Remorse Corps, Rocky Romero, to make his third IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship defense. On 4 January 2012 at Wrestle Kingdom VI in Tokyo Dome, Richards and Taguchi defeated Richards and Romero to once again regain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, starting Richards's record-breaking sixth reign as one half of the champions. On 12 February at The New Beginning, Apollo 55 lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship back to the No Remorse Corps in their first defense. This led to a match on 10 March, where Richards defeated Davey Richards to make his fourth successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.

On 14 March 2012, Richards traveled to Mexico for his first tour of the country with the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre promotion, as part of a working relationship between New Japan and CMLL. After being sidelined from in-ring action due to a calf injury for his first week in Mexico, Richards made his CMLL debut on 23 March, teaming with Marco Corleone and Rush in a six-man tag team main event, where they faced Mephisto, Último Guerrero and Volador Jr. After pinning Volador Jr. for the win, Richards challenged him to a match for the NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship. On 30 March, Richards defeated Volador Jr. to become the new NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion. On 3 May at Wrestling Dontaku 2012, Richards lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Low Ki in his fifth defense, ending his second reign at 227 days. On 27 May, Richards entered the 2012 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, which he started off with losses against Kushida and Taichi. Richards bounced back, winning five out of his six remaining matches, including a win over Jushin Thunder Liger in the final round-robin match of the tournament on 9 June, to finish second in his block and advance to the semifinals of the tournament. The following day, Richards was eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by Low Ki. On 8 July, Richards defeated Taichi to make his first successful defense of the NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship. His second successful title defense took place on 29 July, when he defeated previous champion Volador Jr. in a rematch in the main event of a New Japan event in Korakuen Hall. On 12 September, Richards returned to Mexico for another tour with CMLL. Richards wrestled his first match back in CMLL two days later at the 79th Anniversary Show, where he, Atlantis and Místico II were defeated in a six-man tag team match by Dragón Rojo Jr., Negro Casas and Último Guerrero, when Rojo pinned Richards for the win. On 21 September, Richards was again pinned by Rojo in a six-man tag team match, where he teamed with Blue Panther and La Sombra to face Rojo, Mr. Águila and Taichi. Afterwards, Richards accepted Rojo's challenge for the NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship. On the 28 September CMLL Super Viernes show, Richards lost the title to Rojo, ending his reign at 182 days.

Richards returned to New Japan on 8 October at King of Pro-Wrestling, challenging IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Low Ki to a title match, after he had regained the title from Kota Ibushi. On 21 October, Apollo 55 entered the 2012 Super Jr. Tag Tournament, defeating Chaos World Wrestling Warriors (Brian Kendrick and Low Ki) in their first round match. On 2 November, Richards and Taguchi defeated the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, the Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero), to advance to the finals of the tournament, where, later that same day, they were defeated by the Time Splitters (Alex Shelley and Kushida). On 11 November at Power Struggle, Richards defeated Low Ki to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the third time. On 4 January 2013 at Wrestle Kingdom 7 in Tokyo Dome, Richards defeated Low Ki and Kota Ibushi in a rare three-way match for his first successful defense of the title. Following his win, Richards accepted a challenge for the title made by his tag team partner, Ryusuke Taguchi. On 3 February, Richards picked up a big win, when he pinned reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi in a tag team match, where he and Karl Anderson faced Tanahashi and Taguchi. Seven days later, Richards defeated Taguchi at The New Beginning for his second successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. On 3 March, Richards main evented New Japan's 41st anniversary event, losing to Hiroshi Tanahashi in a non-title match. Following the loss, Richards began portraying a more cocky and villainous persona, regularly disrespecting both partners and opponents, with the exception of Ryusuke Taguchi, whom he tried to get to go along with his new attitude. On 5 April, Richards defeated Alex Shelley for his third successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Two days later at Invasion Attack, Apollo 55 unsuccessfully challenged Time Splitters for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, after which Richards turned on Taguchi, ending the longtime partnership between the two, and debuted Bad Luck Fale as his new "bouncer", while also dubbing himself the "Real Rock 'n' Rolla".

The Brotherhood (2013–2014)

The first match between the former members of Apollo 55 took place on 3 May at Wrestling Dontaku 2013, where Richards and Fale defeated Taguchi and Captain New Japan in a tag team match. Later in the event, Richards and Fale were joined by Karl Anderson and Tama Tonga for an attack on Hiroshi Tanahashi. The new group was subsequently named "The Brothergood". On 24 May, Richards entered the 2013 Best of the Super Juniors, where he ended up winning his block with a clean record of eight wins, though often using outside help from his Brotherhood stablemates to win his matches. On 9 June, Richards first defeated Kenny Omega in the semifinals and then Alex Shelley in the finals to win his second Best of the Super Juniors. Following his win, Richards challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi, while also naming his next goal; becoming the first wrestler to hold the IWGP Junior Heavyweight and IWGP Heavyweight Championships simultaneously.

On 22 June at Dominion 6.22, Richards defeated Tanahashi with help from The Brotherhood to earn his first shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Later in the event, reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada accepted Richards's challenge for his title on the condition that he first defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against his Chaos stablemate Gedo. On 5 July, Richards defeated Gedo in his fourth successful title defense, advancing to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship match against Okada. The title match between the two took place on 20 July and saw Okada defeat Richards, despite interference from the rest of The Brotherhood, to retain his title. On 1 August, Richards defeated Okada, with help from Fale, in the main event of the first day of the 2013 G1 Climax. Despite three other big wins over former IWGP Heavyweight Champions Hiroshi Tanahashi, Satoshi Kojima, and Togi Makabe, Richards failed to advance from his block, finishing with a record of five wins and four losses. The rivalry between Richards and Tanahashi culminated in a Lumberjack Deathmatch on 29 September at Destruction, where Tanahashi was victorious.

With the Tanahashi rivalry behind him, Richards moved onto a new rivalry with Togi Makabe, who played a big part in him losing the Lumberjack Deathmatch. Meanwhile, Richards also found himself a new challenger for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, recent NJPW signee Kota Ibushi, who pinned him a tag team match on 9 November at Power Struggle, where he and Bad Luck Fale were defeated by Ibushi and Makabe. From 23 November to 7 December, Richards and Fale took part in the 2013 World Tag League, where they finished with a record of three wins and three losses, with a loss against the previously winless Captain New Japan and Hiroshi Tanahashi on the final day costing them a spot in the semifinals.

On 4 January 2014, at Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome, Richards's fourteen-month reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion came to an end, when he lost the title to Kota Ibushi in his fifth defense. Richards wrestled the entire match in a full face and body paint, which he continued using for his bigger matches for the rest of his NJPW run. The following day, Richards was attacked by the returning Ryusuke Taguchi, who had been sidelined with an injury for the past seven months, re-igniting the rivalry between the two former partners. On 6 April at Invasion Attack 2014, one year after the break-up of Apollo 55, Richards faced Taguchi in a singles grudge match. During the match, Richards repeatedly told The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), the two newest members of The Brotherhood, not to interfere in the match, which eventually led to them turning on him. In the end, Taguchi defeated Richards, after which the two men shook hands, ending their rivalry with each other. The following day, New Japan announced Richards's resignation from the promotion.

Future Bebo Wrestling (April 2012 - August 2012)

Richards is debuted in FBW on April 1, 2012 at Futurefest II in the Pot of Gold match against five other competitors, he was unsuccessful in becoming Mr. Pot of Gold. Maxine Blake won the match. On the following FBW Unbreakable episode he defeated Antoine in quick fashion. Richards challenged the winner of the Massacre Championship Match between Sweet Poison and Alex Sanders to a match, Sanders won the match and Richards got his match the following week in a non title contest. Zack won the match against Sanders. Zack went onto compete in a match which would decide the new holder of the Pot of Gold case. Zack won the match. On the tour of Asia, Zack was given the chance to become FBW Massacre Champion. He defeated Bryan Daniels and Alex Sanders to become champion. In Week two he was placed against Angel in a champion vs champion match. Angel won the match after Messiah interfered. The following week, Richards defeated Messiah and Chuck Jones in a triple Threat Match. At the PPV Star Games, Richards defeated Luke Daniels and James Janetty to retain the FBW Massacre Championship. Following the Tour of Asia, FBW was taken over by Kira. Richards had one match under the reign of Kira where he lost to Craig Adams. The company soon went under and was taken over by Online Wrestling Alliance. The company closed on August 28, 2012.

Online Wrestling Alliance(April 2012 - August 2013)

On April 1, 2012, Richards got into his first match in OWA featuring against Latelle. He quickly defeated Latelle and moved onto his next week in the company. The following week, fresh off a victory against Latelle, Richards defeated ENW Legend and Veteran, John "JKO" McBurney to keep his undefeated streak alive. On April 14, 2012, he faced off against new comer, Starrbuck. Starrbuck defeated Richards in what was an impressive match from both competitors. Exactly a week later, Richards stepped into the ring against controversial superstar, Adam Brego, who he would go onto defeat. Between April 29, 2012 and May 24, 2012, Richards suffered two losses to Shane Williams, both of the matches were for the World Championship, and he also suffered a loss to TK Jones. On May 26, he ended a losing streak by defeating Hayden Johnson and Tommy Carlos King in a tag team match. One week later, things turned bad for Richards again as he suffered another loss, but to the man he teamed up with the week prior, Heath Williams. 28 days later, he lost to Daniel Kennedy, and following the loss he decided it was time to take some time off. He returned at the Stairway to Stardom Pay-Per-View and got to the final two teams going for the tag team championships, when he got somewhat cocky and got pinned by Arex. The returning show for OWA seen Richards take on Jay Axleed. Richards lost the match. The following week, Richards and Julio Zapien took on Paul Benzema and Trip Johnson. Julio got pinned after Richards picked up his titles and walked up the ramp. Richards defeated DJK in a match the following week, in DJKs first match in years.

A week later he defeated Craig Anderson. Angel and Daniel Kennedy left OWA, Preston Scott and Trip Johnson took over the reigns in OWA, they soon made their presence felt as they retired two championships and brought in another. Richards was on a brief hiatus during this time having been taking part in the World Martial Arts Tournament. During the same show in which Richards faced off against Craig Anderson, he debuted a new gimmick in which he is a playboy billionaire. Richards defeated Anderson and debuted his new hired bodyguard, Julio Zapien. The following week, He and the newly signed Kevin Norton would take on the Number One Contender to the Galaxy Championship, Paul Benzema and one of the men competing for the OWA Heavyweight Championship, Punk. The match finished with Benzema getting yet another Tag Team victory over Richards. Two pick your opponents poison matches were chosen by Richards and Benzema. Richards faced Craig Anderson who defeated Richards newly hired bodyguard Julio Zapien the week prior, and Richards chose Craig Adams as Paul Benzema's poison. Richards. Anderson defeated Richards by Disqualification after Richards decided to send a message to Benzema.

Zack as the final Massacre,Elite and Trans-Tasman Champion

World Champion

Following the acquisition of Future Bebo Wrestling, Former FBW Galaxy Champion and current chairman of OWA, made a second brand for the promotion named after the defunct company. Richards made his OWA/FBW debut on August 29, 2012 against Bryan Daniels and Konvict in the main event, where the Massacre, Elite and the Trans-Tasman Championships were unified. Richards won the match making him the last Champion to hold all three titles in the Massacre division. Following becoming the last Trans-Tasman,Massacre and Elite champion, Richards started to act out of character, before eventually turning Heel.

A week after the match took place, the whole of Online Wrestling Alliance was revamped. OWA: Future Bebo Wrestling was rebranded OWA: Fusion which combined both Sacrifce and OWA: Future Bebo Wrestling into one.

Galaxy Champion and Fusion Champion
On the first episode of Fusion, Richards found a loop-hole in his FBW Pot of Gold case contract, which allowed him to cash in and became the new Galaxy Champion without having to face anyone for the vacant championship. Before announcing the loop-hole, Richards was granted the first reign as Fusion Champion because of being the last man to hold the three championships from Future Bebo Wrestling. During the show, he attacked Paul Benzema twice, Trip Johnson once and lost in his match against Jay Axleed. He lost for the second straight week after he abandoned his partner Julio Zapien. He got off his two match losing streak after he defeated DJK, the returning superstar. On the same night, but earlier in the night before his match with DJK, Richards interrupted his Godfather, Angel and did what no other person has ever done, left him speechless. Richards defeated Craig Adams a week later. Angel and Daniel Kennedy left OWA, Preston Scott and Trip Johnson took over the reigns in OWA, they soon made their presence felt as they retired two championships and brought in another. Richards was on a small hiatus from Wrestling to take part in the World Martial Arts Tournament. The week Richards returned, he was in a match again Craig Anderson, Richards defeated Anderson and debuted his new hired bodyguard, Julio Zapien. 

The following week, He and the newly signed Kevin Norton would take on the Number One Contender to the Galaxy Championship, Paul Benzema and one of the men competing for the OWA Heavyweight Championship, Punk. The match finished with Benzema getting yet another Tag Team victory over Richards. Two pick your opponents poison matches were chosen by Richards and Benzema. Richards faced Craig Anderson. Anderson defeated Richards by Disqualification after Richards decided to send a message to Benzema. Craig Anderson who defeated Richards newly hired bodyguard Julio Zapien a week prior, and Richards chose Craig Adams as Paul Benzema's poison. At OWA Ramifications Richards lost the Galaxy Championship to Paul Benzema, thus ending his reign at 63 days, and making him the second longest reigning champion.

OWA World Heavyweight Champion
At OWA Ramifications, Richards defended his title against number one contender Paul Benzema, with a twist of events taking place before the match. It was announced there would be two championships on the line. The Galaxy Championship and OWA World Heavyweight Championship, as the two contracted superstars who were scheduled to compete for the OWA World Heavyweight Championship didn't show up. Paul Benzema defeated Richards in the first fall to finally become the Galaxy Champion, and in the second fall, Trip Johnson interfered and cost Paul Benzema the match, and turning heel in the process. On the first OWA Fusion back from OWA Ramifications, Richards defeated Kevin Norton after hitting lights out, but only to be upstaged by the returning Preston Scott.

Richards returned to active competition on the second episode of 2013, Trip Johnson resigned as OWA owner, and Richards announced he was the highest authority now Johnson is no longer part of OWA. He later said to Jordan Ryan that he would be competing in a two on one handicap match against Richards and AJ, due to his partner not showing up. Richards and AJ went onto win the match, and then Jordan got a post match beat down. At OWA: All or Nothing, Richards got on the mic in the early part of the show and stated he would no longer be working under the name Zack Richards, and officially changed it to Leo Wyatt. In the later part of the night, Wyatt defeated Jordan Ryan following the brief Interference from Julio Zapien. After the match, The Militia scattered following Craig Anderson turning face and signalling his guaranteed World Championship shot. On March 1, 2013, Richards became the longest reigning OWA World Heavyweight Champion, but passing TK Jones's reign of 77 days. On March 14, Richards fired and attacked Julio Zapien after constant failures. He was also booked to face off against Abigail Jade in a champion vs champion match, thus ending The Militia. He went onto defeat Jade by hitting her with Vertigo following tormenting her through the match, but was ultimately stopped from attacking her further after the bell had sounded following his victory. On March 20th, Richards teamed with Trip Johnson, the duo lost against Angel and Craig Anderson. A week later, Richards lost his world title to Anderson. Richards would disappear off OWA Television following the loss, stating he needs to go find himself, During the Absence of Richards, Craig Anderson defended the Tag Team Championships on his own again Chris Daniels and Alex Johnson, where he lost the match and the titles.

Return
Richards returned at OWA Amicable Treason, where he attacked Craig Anderson and Jamo after their World Championship Match. Upon Richards return, he instantly took advantage of the 24/7 rule on the Hardcore Championship and defeated Chris Hunter for the championship. His return match see him team with the Tag Team Champions, Sudden Impact to take on the team of Jeff Palmer, Angel and the World Heavyweight Champion, Craig Anderson. Sudden Impact and Richards won the match after Richards pinned Palmer, but after the match it soon broke into a six man brawl, with the Hardcore Championship trading hands a few times, and Richards getting the first reign following pinning Hunter, when he tried to save Palmer from a beating. His next match seen him against the man who took the championship from him, Craig Anderson. Both Anderson and Richards hit their finishers on one another but couldn't get the three count. The finish came, when both Anderson and Richards were on the Top Rope and Richards hit The End from the top rope to secure the victory for himself, in the biggest win he's had in 2013. The following week, he secured another victory for himself when he knocked off Jamo, by making him pass out

At OWA Chained Richards entered the second Elimination Chamber in Online Wrestling Alliance history, and being the only superstar to enter for the second straight year. He challenged for the OWA World Heavyweight Championship against Craig Anderson, Wade Wilson, Slade Wilson, Chris Hunter and Jamo. Richards won the match after lastly defeating Craig Anderson, following the match, Richards had no time to celebrate as Anderson's wife Jessica Anderson came down to the ring with his Pot of Gold case, and he cashed in while Richards back was turned. Anderson regained the title following a Powerbomb from Hell from Jamo, twelve minutes prior to the match beginning, thus Richards became The longest and Shortest reigning World Heavyweight Champion in OWA History.

King Of The World (Tournament)
On the first live event back from OWA Chained Richards faced off against and defeated Scott Corridor in the quarter finals of the King of the World Tournament. He faced off against Jamo in the semi-finals of the King of the World Tournament, and defeated Jamo in the process earning him a spot in the final against Angel. At the end of the semi-final match, Jamo extended his hand to Richards to shake. Richards shook the hand of Jamo, not only ending the feud, but also turning Face in the process. At OWA Redemption Richards took on Angel in the finals, after two restarts, confusion decisions, and chairs being used like Lightsabers, Angel defeated Richards by the way of Richards being unable to continue via passing out to Sin and Bones(Liontamer).

Pursuit for the World Championship (June 2013 - August 2013) Following his defeat at the hands of Angel at OWA Redemption He aligned himself with Craig Anderson once more, in a tag team match against Alex Johnson and Matt Young. Richards and Anderson won the match, when Anderson picked up the victory. During the same show, it was announced Richards would take on the returning Heath Williams in a Number one contenders match to the OWA World Heavyweight Championship A week before Stairway to Stardom , Richards took on and defeated with Ease, Kevin Vipers. At Stairway to Stardom Richards defeated Heath Williams following countering Emofication and connecting with Vertigo. Richards wrestled his final match in OWA against World Heavyweight Champion Angel in what is said to be the match of the century at Total Anarchy. At Total Anarchy, Richards defeated Angel and became the final OWA World Heavyweight Champion. Richards would make one final defence of the championship under the OWA name, defeating Jason Oliver at OWA Once Risen.

Deathlock Wrestling Federation (2013)

Richards originally stated he was going to take park in just the Royal Rumble match to determine the first ever DWF World Heavyweight Champion. During the Match, he had two key eliminations, Matt Young and Paul Benzema. In the later part of the match, Benzema furious at his elimination, returned to the ring and cost Richards the match. The same day of the Royal Rumble, Richards had now stated he was signing a long term deal with the company, and would compete as a Tweener. On the first episode of Collision, Wyatt faced off against Matt Young, who he eliminated from the Royal Rumble, in a number one contenders match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Trip Johnson was the Special Referee for the match, and called it down the middle. The end came when Wyatt hit his new finishing move "Vertigo" which was a form of the "Go To Sleep" performed by WWE's CM Punk.

The following week, Wyatt was defeated in a Triple Threat Match when Trip Johnson pinned Desmond Armstrong. He also became DWF hardcore champion, for a short period of time before losing the belt. One week later, Trip and Wyatt were competed in a beat the clock sprint match to determine who would pick the stipulation to the championship match between the two. Wyatt stated during the show that If Trip fails to beat the sprint, then he would take away the champion advantage by if the champion gets disqualified or counted out, he loses the championship to Wyatt. Trip won the sprint by eleven seconds, but ultimately chose what Wyatt had picked for the match. The following week, Craig Anderson placed Wyatt and Abigail Jade tag team elimination match against Trip Johnson and Andzelika Bernins, to which Wyatt and Abigail won, after Wyatt pinned Johnson. After the match, Penis Postman ran down to the ring for his post match attack on Johnson, but it ended abruptly as Wyatt made the save. On the night of the Pay-Per-View, Reprisal, he announced he would be going back to using the name Zack Richards. It was announced the Pay-Per-View had been cancelled, all the fans received their money back and an exhibition match between Richards and Johnson to which Johnson won, thus retaining his title.

Online Wrestling Alliance (2014 - 2015)

Richards after defeating Julio Zapien for the World Heavyweight Championship

Richards was announced as one of the returning superstars to the company. Having been the Last Champion under the OWA banner, and being current Champion from TEWF, Richards defended the OWA World Heavyweight Championship against Jeff Palmer, but the match ended in a no contest when returning superstar Julio Zapien attacked Richards, for what happened in The Militia. Angel and Richards defeated Jeff Palmer and Julio Zapien on the Febuary 25, 2014 episode of OWA. A few days later, Richards made an appearance during the Angel vs Zapien match. On March 24, Richards with Sarinyde and Jason Oliver, defeated the team of Bryan Daniels, Alex West and Julio Zapien in a six man tag team match. Seven Days later, Richards would again walk out the winner, this time against Alex West in a singles match, during which Richards too a Superkick to the face from Salty Tiger.

Richards lost for the first time in OWA since losing to Angel in the King of the World Tournament. He lost to the team of Bryan Daniels and Julio Zapien following Cash Morgan hitting Richards with a Chair by accident and ended up getting pinned by Bryan Daniels. A week later he was on the losing team again, this time, Angel and Richards got into an Argument, Richards KO'd Angel and walked out of the match. At Amicable Treason lost the World Heavyweight Championship to his former employee, Julio Zapien. Upon coming off a loss to Julio Zapien at the Pay-Per-View, Richards adopted a new look, and became more menacing. As well as teaming with Angel to defeat the team of Lamar and Mosley of 6 Minute Warning. Twelve days after losing his Championship to Julio Zapien, he defeated Zapien and regained the championship to begin his sixth reign as World Heavyweight Champion. On April 25, 2014, Richards and Shannon Cunningham defeated Julio Zapien and Victor Huntley. Two days later, Richards lost the title back to Zapien at OWA Futurefest III, sixteen days after winning it on the Weekey Show.

Richards later defeated Salty Tiger and Mosley on May 13, 2014 and June 13, 2014. Seven days later, Richards defeated Beck Wade. Richards would later go onto defeat Jason Oliver on June 27, and then defeated Moses Webster in the King of the World final, two days later. On July 11, 2014, it saw Richards in his first match as King of the World, and he and Angel defeated Beck Wade and Victor Huntley. A week later he defeated Jeff Palmer, and then Cash Morgan and Richards defeated Public Adversary on July 25, 2014. Three days later at Stairway To Stardom V, Richards defeated Victor Huntley to become the new OWA Champion, but was short lived when Bryan Daniels cashed in his Pot of Gold case on a vulnarable champion. A month later, following a short period down in OWA, Richards came back and lost in a triple threat match to Bryan Daniels, the match also featured Angel. At Last Rites, Richads defeated Alex West and Daniel Strawberry to become the new United States Champion. Several days later on Adamantium, West challenged Richards to a rematch, and cheap shotted Richards into accepting the match. Richards lost the title back to West. At Borrowed Time, Richards again lost to West who retained his title, following the match, Richards took the tape off his wrists before heading up the ramp and raising his arm, leaving his status unknown. Richards returned November 7, 2014 and took on and defeated Taylor Williams, only to lose to him the three weeks later in a tag match. At Once Risen Williams again defeated Richards. A Month later, Richards defeated Sarinyde to win the European championship. He successfully retained his championship against Sarinyde on January 2, 2015, and then went onto defeat Alex West on January 16, 2015 and once again retain the championship against Taylor Williams at All or Nothing. Richards left the company after choosing not to renew his contract after All or Nothing and citing unhappiness within OWA under Trip Johnson

Personal Life

In 2005, Richards married highschool sweetheart Erica Johnson, together they have four children, Zack III (born July 4, 2004), Olivia Richards (born March 18, 2006) and twins, Joseph and Nicole (born Febuary 14, 2012) In November 2015, It became public knowledge, the couple had gotten a divorce due to irreconcilable differences. Richards has stated in interviews his best friend is Chloe Martins, who he later began dating in April 2016

Other Appearances

Richards appeared in the professional wrestling game, based in Online Wrestling Alliance, where he is the default World heavyweight Champion, and serves as one of the two main protagonists in the story mode.

Music/Acting
Zachary Richards

Interesting Facts

• Richards is one of only three men to have held the Galaxy and OWA World Heavyweight Championship
• Richards was the first ever Triple Crown and Grandslam winner.
• Richards is the only man to have ever held the OWA World, Tag and Intercontinental Championship at once
• Richards got the name Grant Ward from the character portrayed by friend Brett Dalton in Marvel: Agents of Shield

In Wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • As Zack Richards
    • The End (Skull Crushing Finale) – 2012 – 2013 (used rarely after)
    • Coup de Grace (Diving Double Foot stomp) – 2015 – Present
    • Pop-up powerbomb – 2016 – Present

• • As Leo Wyatt
    • Senkou Youjutsu (Lifting Single underhook DDT)
    • Vertigo (Go to Sleep)

• • As Kenny Williams
    • Lights Out (Brogue Kick) – 2012 – 2013

• Signature moves
  • Fatality Twist (Twist of Fate) – Used as a tribute to his father
  • Game Changer (STO)
  • Last Call (Pop-up European Uppercut)
  • Cross Rhodes (Rolling cutter)
  • Brainbuster
  • Rear Naked Choke (used in submission matches, and used sometimes as a finisher)
  • Suplex
  • Corner clothesline followed by a Running Bulldog
  • Lionsault
  • Northern Lights Suplex
  • Belly to Back Suplex
  • Belly to Belly Suplex
  • Snap Scoop Powerslam
  • Snap DDT to a Kneeling Opponent
  • Big Boot, sometimes to a Seated Opponent

Nicknames

• ”The Uncrowned Champion”
• ”The Most decorated Superstar in OWA History”
• King of the World

Tag Teams

• Shane Williams and Zack Richards
• The Militia (Zack Richards and Craig Anderson)
• The Brotherhood

Managers

• Julio Zapien
• Derek Theler
• Chloe Martins

Managed

• Chloe Martins

Entrance Music

• ”Ride Forever” by Paul Gross (April 1, 2012 – October 13, 2012)
• ”She's My Addiction” by Fozzy (October 13, 2012 – April 27, 2013)
• ”Here Comes The Boom” by POD (April 27, 2013 – April 4, 2014) (OWA)
• ”Sandpaper” by Fozzy (December 14, 2012 – March 14, 2013) (used as part of The Militia)
• "One Winged Angel" - Nobuo Uematsu (April 6, 2014 - August 9, 2016)
• "Fight" by CFO$ - (August 9, 2016 - Current)

Championships and Accomplishments

Richards as Galaxy Champion

• Future Bebo Wrestling
  • Pot of Gold Winner 2012 (1 Time)
  • Massacre Championship (1 Time)
  • Elite Championship (1 time)
  • Trans-Tasman Championship (1 Time)

Richards as OWA World Heavyweight Champion

• Elite Impact Wrestling
  • EIW Chrome Championship (1 Time)

Richards after winning the OWA Championship

• Online Wrestling Alliance
  • OWA World Heavyweight Championship (6 Times)
  • OWA Championship (2 Time, current)
  • Galaxy Championship (1 Time)
  • OWA United States Championship (1 Time)
  • OWA Intercontinental Championship (1 Time)
  • OWA European Championship (2 Times)
  • OWA Fusion Championship (1 Times)
  • OWA Hardcore Championship (2 times)
  • OWA Tag Team Championship (1 Time) with Craig Anderson
  • OWA King of the World (2014)
  • Hall of Fame (Class of 2014)
  • OWA Triple Crown Winner (1 time)
  • OWA Grand Slam Winners (1 time)

• Deathlock Wrestling Federation
  • DWF Hardcore Championship (2 Times)

• World Extreme Wrestling
  • WEW Championship (1 Time)
  • WEW Extreme Championship (1 Time)

• New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (6 times) – with Minoru (2) and Ryusuke Taguchi (4)
  • Best of the Super Juniors (2010, 2013)
  • J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament (2010, 2011) – with Ryusuke Taguchi and Hirooki Goto

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI feud of the year (2013) vs. Angel
  • PWI Match of the year (2013) vs. Angel at Redemption
  • PWI Wrestler of the Year (2012)
  • PWI ranked #1 of top 500 single wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2012
  • PWI ranked #2 of top 500 single wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2013

• Other Accomplishments
  • MCAA World Heavyweight Champion (1 Time) 
  • Most Improved Bebo Online Wrestler (2012)

See Also

Zachary Richards
John Bennett
Bryan Daniels
Chloe Martins
The Militia
The Brotherhood