Rich Swann Announces Pending Retirement From Professional Wrestling
By Bryan Heaton
Rich Swann is stepping away from the sports entertainment world after he fulfills current bookings.
Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rich Swann seemed poised to be a breakout star on 205 Live. After battling injuries, Swann worked his way back to a position to challenge for the championship once again. He was a fan favorite, even going back as far as his random appearances in NXT (hey, remember when he faced Finn Balor on NXT?) and through the Cruiserweight Classic.
Swann’s personal life took a toll on his professional life, though. In December 2017, Swann was arrested on charges related to a domestic violence incident. As per WWE’s domestic violence policy, Swann was suspended indefinitely while the case was investigated. Though charges were eventually dropped after Swann’s wife, pro wrestler Su Yung, declined to proceed, he was released from his WWE contract in mid February.
Almost immediately, Swann began accepting bookings from independent promotions. He’s set to work for House of Hardcore in late March, as well as various shows during the WrestleMania weekend in New Orleans. But despite the multiple bookings, it seems that Swann, 27, is done with wrestling.
Late Wednesday night, Swann took a break from jabbing Nick Gage on Twitter to announce that he’s retiring from wrestling after he fulfills his current bookings (h/t to Fightful for the story ).
After all the bookings ive taken im so scared to step in the ring but i cant wait lol. But after there done i will be retiring. Thank you for taking the chance on my name
— Rich Swann (@GottaGetSwann) March 8, 2018
Damn i lost the dream job. Well even though im gonna be blown up as fuck i cant wait to wrestle again
— Rich Swann (@GottaGetSwann) March 8, 2018
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Claiming he “lost the dream job,” Swann is stepping away from the sport. Whether this is a Shawn Michaels retirement that sticks, or a Terry Funk retirement that doesn’t, no one knows. But the fact that Swann would step away from wrestling when it seemed he was in the process of getting things back on track is somewhat surprising.
One has to wonder why he accepted the bookings if he was ready to walk away. Or, maybe he was having a hard time finding further bookings after those he’s already committed to. Showing that he’s changed for the better from the person who allegedly did the acts that got him arrested would likely increase his chances of working. Getting away from the business for a bit would allow Swann the opportunity to work on himself and come back better than ever.
Next: WWE Missed Opportunity on a Star in Austin Aries
Do you think we’ll see Rich Swann in a wrestling ring again?