Yeah - full frontal is probably a bit much...just a bit.
I am not familiar with the situation, because I was not there, but I have to go with my gut and side with the SWA FA's. I have never had one treat me in an unreasonable manner, and I have to assume that they are correct. If this were some of the legacy carriers, I would probably assume the passenger was in the right - but SWA usually treats people better.