Following his three weeks on suspension, Richard Allen Swann, best known for his work in WWE under the alter ego "Rich Swann," was let go from the company on Thursday on mutual terms.
According to the WWE, the 27-year-old wrestler and the company came to a mutual agreement over his departure yesterday. In a statement, the company wished Swann "the best in all of his future endeavors." Swann's release from WWE followed three weeks after authorities dropped the Domestic Violence charges against him.
Back in early December, Swann was arrested over an incident with his wife, Vannarah Riggs, best known for her work as a fellow professional for the independent scene under the name "Su Yung." The incident occurred in Gainsville, Florida, where the two were traveling in their car.
According to the authorities, Swann and Riggs engaged in an argument in their car, which escalated. Witnesses claimed they saw Riggs jumped out of the moving vehicle and Swann then ran after Riggs, grabbed his wife by the arm, put her in a headlock and forced her back into the car.
Police soon arrested Swann on charges of battery and false imprisonment while WWE had place Swann under suspension following the incident. However, due to insufficient evidence, prosecutors had no choice but to dropped the charges.
Swann joined WWE back in 2015 as part of the NXT roster and competed in the Cruiserweight Classic tournament in June 2016. Two months later, Swann joined the RAW roster as part of the Cruiserweight Division and had a brief run as Cruiserweight Championship before he dropped the title to Neville in January 2017.
Swann became the second WWE cruiserweight superstar to be released from the company over legal drama in the span of a month. Enzo Amore was released in January, following accusations of rape. At the time he was in the middle of his second brief run, as the Cruiserweight Champion and was scheduled to defend the title against Cedric Alexander at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
The departure of both superstars has sparked concern over the already troubled Crusierweight Divison and undoubtedly shaken up bookings and storylines for the RAW and 205 Live shows.
Besides departures, WWE is also facing shortages in superstar power due to injuries. Headliners such as Samoa Joe and Dean Ambrose have since joined the ever-growing injured leave list and will be out for considerable months. Joining them recently is Jason Jordan who is out for a head injury following the loss of the RAW Tag Team Championship with Seth Rollins to the Sheamus/Cesaro duo known as "The Bar."
