Vannarah Riggs (June 30, 1989), is an American female professional wrestler, currently signed to Impact Wrestling under the ring name Su Yung. She is also known for her time in WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), under the name Sonia.
Contents
Career
Early career
Riggs got her start in wrestling after moving to Memphis, Tennessee in 2007 to become a professional wrestler. She has worked for several promotions including Lady Sports, MLL, GCW, and Jerry Lawler's Memphis Wrestling. In February 2010, Riggs made her debut for Main Event Championship Wreslting as a villainess under the name Su Yung and defeated Tracy Taylor.
Florida Championship Wrestling (2010-2011)
In May 2010, Riggs was signed to a developmental contract with WWE. On September 18, 2010, she made her debut at Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) house show under the name Vannah, sharing ring announcing with Matt Martlaro. The next month her name was changed to Sonia. She made her FCW in-ring debut as a heel on December 2, 2010 at a house show losing to AJ Lee. In mid-2011, Sonia teamed up with Audrey Marie in a losing effort against AJ and Aksana. On July 8, Sonia was defeated by Aksana in a triple-threat match for the FCW Divas Championship that also included Naomi. On August 8, 2011, she was released from her developmental contract.
SHIMMER Women Athletes
Su Yung debuted for SHIMMER Women Athletes on October 1, 2011 in a dark match at Volume 41; teaming with Kimberly Maddox and Veda Scott in a losing effort against Buggy Nova, Jessie Brooks, and She Nay Nay. In another dark match at Volume 43, Su was defeated by KC Spinelli. On October 27, 2012, Su was defeated by Sassy Stephie at Volume 50 and again by Miss Natural the following day at Volume 52.
Shine Wrestling
The West Coast Connection (2012-2014)
Su debuted for SHINE Wrestling as a babyface along with Tracy Taylor to form The West Coast Connection on July 20, 2012. On that evening, the duo lost to Made In Sin (Allysin Kay and Taylor Made) at SHINE 1. A month later at SHINE 2, Su picked up her first Shine victory by defeating Kimberly and she and Tracy defeated Gabby Gilbert and Luscious Latasha at SHINE 3. Su's winning streak continued with victories over Rhia O'Reilly and Josie, but it came to an end at SHINE 6 in January 11, 2013 when she was defeated by Ivelisse. At SHINE 7 on February 22, Su teamed up with Tracy and Mia Yim in a losing effort to Valkyrie members Made In Sin and April Hunter. A month later, Su defeated Brittney Savage via submission with her Yellow Fever finisher.
At SHINE 9, Su was defeated by Saraya Knight in a SHINE Championship Tournament qualifying match. In the tournament at SHINE 11 on July 12, Su was defeated by LuFisto in a four-way qualifying match that also included Nikki Roxx and Mercedes Martinez. At SHINE 12 on August 23, Su again teamed with Tracy Taylor in a losing effort to Daffney's All-Star Squad members Nikki Roxx and Solo Darling. However, at SHINE 13, Su defeated La Rosa Negra, Taeler Hendrix, and the debuting Xandra Bale in a four-way match. Su competed against Solo Darling in back-to-back Shine events; losing at SHINE 14 and winning at SHINE 15. At SHINE 16 on January 24, 2014, Su was defeated by Mercedes Martinez. At SHINE 17 on February 28, Su and Tracy Taylor teamed up in a losing effort to Made In Sin in the quarterfinals of the SHINE Tag Team Championship Tournament.
Heel turn; Valkyrie
On April 18, Su defeated Rhia O'Reilly via submission at SHINE 18 and was attacked by Saraya Knight after the match. Later in the event, Su turned into a villainess by aligning with Valkyrie and attacking Ivelisse in the ring, and later attacking her tag team partner, Tracy Taylor, ending The West Coast Connection in the process. At SHINE 19 on May 23, the evil Su eliminated Taylor in a ten-woman elimination tag team match, which was won by Valkyrie. At SHINE 20 on June 27, Su competed in her first singles match as a villainess and defeated Justine Silver via submission; using the new finisher, The Purge. At SHINE 21 on August 22, Su was defeated by Nevaeh in a #1 Contender's four-way match that also included Amazing Kong and Leah Von Dutch. At SHINE 22 on October 10, Su defeated Amanda Rodriguez via submission.
Impact Wrestling (2018–present)
Su Yung made her debut on the March 22, 2018 episode of Impact attacking Allie.
Personal life
She is married to a fellow professional wrestler Rich Swann.
On December 10, 2017, Swann was arrested in Gainesville, Florida on charges of battery and kidnapping/false imprisonment. She was identified as his wife. According to the arrest report, Swann and Riggs had gotten into an argument over Swann critiquing Riggs' performance at a show that night. When Riggs tried to get away from Swann, witnesses state that he grabbed her in a headlock and dragged her back into his car. On January 25, 2018, all charges against Swann were dismissed after prosecutors determined that there was “insufficient evidence” to move forward with the case.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Panic Switch (Samoan driver)
- The Purge (Mandible Claw)
- Signature moves
- Asian mist
- Forearm smash
- Lotus lock
- Tilt-a-whirl headscissors takeover
- Yellow Fever
- Tag teams and stables
- Dead Or Alive (w/ Maho Kurone)
- Creepy as Fuck (w/ Blackwater)
- The West Coast Connection (w/ Tracy Taylor)
- Business
- Valkyrie
- Premier Athlete Brand
- Reckoning
- Kodokushi Death Squad
- Nicknames
- "The Undead Bride"
Championships and accomplishments
- Girl Fight
- Girl Fight Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked her #27 in the 2014 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #36 in the 2016 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #13 in the 2018 PWI Top 100 Females
- PWI ranked her #31 in the 2019 PWI Top 100 Females
External links
| 2016 PWI Top 50 Females |
|---|
| Charlotte Flair • Sasha Banks • Asuka • Becky Lynch • Bayley • Jade • Natalya • Gail Kim • Sexy Star • Sienna • Ivelisse • Madison Eagles • Nicole Savoy • Rosemary • Allie • Nicole Matthews • Kimber Lee • Candice LeRae • Paige • Heidi Lovelace • Evie • Cheerleader Melissa • Nia Jax • Santana Garrett • Naomi • Dana Brooke • Madison Rayne • Kay Lee Ray • Alexa Bliss • Lufisto • Amber Gallows • Marti Belle • Emma • Taylor Made • Vanessa Kraven • Su Yung • Ember Moon • Tessa Blanchard • Jessicka Havok • Shayna Baszler • Crazy Mary Dobson • Malia Hosaka • Thunder Rosa • Carmella • KC Spinelli • Veda Scott • Jessica James • Xandra Bale • Kaitlin Diemond • Eva Marie |
