Davey Richards has been a constant presence in the world of professional wrestling for nearly two decades.
He is most associated with his time in Ring of Honor, where he reigned as ROH Champion for 321 days between 2011 and 2012, defeating his own tag team partner Eddie Edwards for the title before losing it the next year to Kevin Steen. Richards has also worked extensively with IMPACT Wrestling and New Japan, as well as being a top star in multiple independent promotions.
However, news emerged today that numerous independent promotions are cutting ties with the wrestler after he violated their codes of conduct. Training school Team Ambition first released a statement to this effect, followed by St. Louis Anarchy, Prestige Wrestling, and others.
There is no word on the exact nature of the reason for these decisions, though according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the issue stems from allegations of domestic violence. Sapp also notes that Richards has denied all allegations against him.
“We’re working more to gain concrete details on Davey Richards, and companies distancing themselves from him. He’s been pulled from shows, Team Ambition has disassociated with him. His MLW deal was up last month. His socials have been deleted
Many companies have terminated their association with Davey Richards due to violating their policies and code of conducts, due to allegations of domestic abuse.
I’ve spoken with @stlanarchy, who confirmed they’ve fired Davey Richards for a violation of their code of conduct.
Richards had privately denied any allegations to several who he’d been in contact with”
Many companies have terminated their association with Davey Richards due to violating their policies and code of conducts, due to allegations of domestic abuse.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 17, 2023
Richards had privately denied any allegations to several who he'd been in contact with
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 17, 2023
Davey Richards Responded To Allegations Of Domestic Violence
In a statement issued to PWInsider after allegations began to emerge, Davey Richards had this to say, noting that he would “cancel himself”
“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”