in 2017, ophidian was defeated in a sarcophagus match by hallowicked. afterwards, the whisper claimed ophidian's mask to become the new ophidian, while the original ophidian adopted a new mask and the ring name ouroboros. at chikara’s season 19 premiere, "beware the snowman," ophidian, stealing the identity of former chikara rudo 17, defeated ophidian ii (the whisper) by knockout and put his old mask back on, and becoming the original ophidian again. after the match, ophidian revealed that he would face frightmare at national pro wrestling day 2018. in 2019, he would challenge capitol wrestling freestyle champion ghostshadow, unsuccessfully, for the championship.