Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
The official arrest report on WWE 205 Live star Rich Swann's arrest early Sunday morning for false imprisonment/kidnapping and a misdemeanor charge of battery- touching or striking reveals that the victim of the alleged incident was Swann's wife, Vannarah Riggs, who performs as Su Yung on the independent wrestling scene.
According to the arrest report, the two had been traveling from an event in Gainesville, Florida that Yung had performed at, discussing her match. Yung had wrestled last night for Fest Wrestling, which ran a venue titled Eight-Seconds. According to the report, Swann had been critizing Yung's performance and "began getting angry with her." Yung, feeling the argument was "going to escalate," got out of their car at 1500 East University Avenue as Swann, who was driving, was in traffic. Swann yelled for her to return to the car, but she refused and walked away.
At this point, the arrest report claims that Swann, who had left the car as well, grabbed Yung by the arm, then around the neck, putting her in a headlock and bringing her back to the car as she screamed for help. A witness to the incident told police that Yung was beating on the window trying to get out of the car as it pulled away and that she "seemed very afraid of the Defendant and was trying to get away from him."
A second witness claimed that after Swann exited his car, he failed to put it in park, leaving the car to lurch forward, where it struck a telephone pole on the corner of East University Avenue and Northeast 15th Street.
Based on the location of the arrest (2400 SE Hawthorne Street in Gainesville, Florida), Swann and Yung traveled about a mile away from where the incident took place before Swann's car was stopped and he was placed under arrest.
In the arrest report, authorities stated that Yung told them she was afraid of Swann "because he has a temper sometimes" and that she was scared their argument would escalate into a physical confrontation. Yung stated that she asked Swann to pull the car over so she could leave the vehicle but he refused, so she waited until the car slowed to jump out of the car. She told authorities that she was grabbed by the arm and brought back to the car.
After being arrested and having been read his rights, Swann (according to the report) denied ever physically touching Yung and forcing her to return to the car, stating that she did so on her own. Swann claimed that he only wanted to return home and that they were using the GPS that was on Yung's phone and he "needed her to come with it." Swann also told authorities that the couple had been together five years and have been married nine months.
WWE has yet to comment on the arrest, although one would suspect that given the nature of the situation, Swann could be suspended under the company's domestic violence policy, which states, "WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Upon arrest for such misconduct, a WWE talent will be immediately suspended. Upon conviction for such misconduct, a WWE talent will be immediately terminated."
It should also be noted that WWE could also deem Swann as in breach of the company's morals clause as stated by the following WWE policy - "WWE’s ability to fine, suspend or terminate a WWE talent will not be, however, limited or compromised in any manner in the event incontrovertible evidence of such illegal misconduct is presented to WWE. Section 9.13(a) of the WWE booking contract, commonly known as the “morals clause”, provides WWE with broad discretion and authority to act under such circumstances."
As of this writing, Swann remains incarcerated in Alachua County Jail in Gainesville, Florida and will remain there until he posts bond, which cannot happen until he goes before a judge, which will be sometime Monday 12/11. Swann has been charged with Kidnapping/False imprisonment. In the State of Florida, that is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted. Swann has also been charged with Battery - touching or striking, a first degree misdemeanor in Florida, with penalties of up to one year in jail or 12 months probation and a $1,000 fine upon conviction.
Swann, 26, had been scheduled to face Drew Gulak to determine the top contender for the WWE Cruiserweight championship on this Monday's Raw in Cleveland, Ohio, a match that will likely be canceled as part of the fallout of this situation.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
