UPDATED: Davey Richards Accused of Domestic Violence, Says He’s Retiring From Wrestling

UPDATED: Davey Richards has addressed allegations of domestic violence against him, while also noting that he is retiring from the ring. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reported on Twitter earlier this afternoon that several companies have cut ties due to “allegations of domestic abuse” and thus violating their policies and codes of conduct. He also noted that he had spoken with St. Louis Anarchy, who had confirmed they released Richards due to a violation in their code of conduct. Richards had reportedly privately denied any allegations against him to several people he had been in touch with.

Richards publicly addressed the matter in an email to PWInsider, in which he acknowledged there are allegations of domestic violence against him which he “adamantly” denies. He noted that due to the “industry’s stance” on the matter he is “canceling himself” and is retiring from wrestling after this weekend.

The full statement from Richards is below.

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation and needs help, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233 and their website is here.

“Hello everyone –

Wow, what a couple of days.

There are allegations of Domestic Violence against me.

The allegations I adamantly deny and if you look on casenet in MO under my name Wesley David Richards you’ll see there are no charges filed against me.

However, I do understand the industry’s stance on this matter.

Everyone should feel safe at shows and I do not want to be the person whom damages that.

The pic being posted of my wife’s eye is from training and we regulatory train in martial arts as many of the students have have got black eyes and such.

Again, no charges were filed and I deny these allegations but I must do what is right and not what I want.

So I am canceling myself.

This great sport is far too wonderful for anyone, including myself to tarnish it.

I will wrap up my shows this weekend and I will be retiring from professional wrestling.

Please continue to support Team Ambition and this sport.

Davey”

ORIGINAL: Team Ambition Wrestling School, Prestige Wrestling and St. Louis Anarchy have all announced they have cut ties with Davey Richards. No reason has been given for the move at this time. Richards deleted his Twitter account and has also not commented. At this time, he is still advertised for this weekend’s OTT and GCW events. PWInsider notes that Richards is also not in MLW after finishing his obligations there last month.

Team Ambition said in a statement: “The decision has been made for Team Ambition to formally and permanently part ways with Davey Richards. In the coming months, Team Ambition, including the Professional Wrestling Academy, will be undergoing some changes and rebranding. We remain dedicated to making the St. Louis Professional Wrestling scene, as well as Professional Wrestling as a whole, better and stronger. We want to thank everyone sincerely for their ongoing support.”

Prestige added: “Effective immediately Prestige Wrestling has cut ties with Davey Richards. We will have updates soon on any matches/plans that involved Davey Richards. Thank you.”

St. Louis Anarchy wrote: “Davey Richards is off our April 14th event. A new main event will be announced at 2pm CT.”

🚨🚨ANNOUNCEMENT🚨🚨

Thank you for your ongoing support! pic.twitter.com/dXD3JyAenb

— Team Ambition (@TeamAmbitionSTL) March 17, 2023

Effective immediately Prestige Wrestling has cut ties with Davey Richards.

We will have updates soon on any matches/plans that involved Davey Richards.

Thank you.

— Prestige Wrestling (@WrestlePrestige) March 17, 2023

Davey Richards is off our April 14th event. A new main event will be announced at 2pm CT.

— St. Louis Anarchy (@stlanarchy) March 16, 2023