The league confirmed today that Rich Swann’s suspension has come to an end with the Baltimore middleweight set to return to action next week at MLW’s April 4th and April 5th events at the Melrose Ballroom.
The office of wrestling operations told MLW.com that Swann will return under probation and is expected to conduct himself during competition in a professional manner and respect referees and league personnel.
“I am a good man that was put in a bad situation but that’s all behind me now,” Swann said, with a chuckle and big smile.
Matchmakers were mum on Swann’s return opponent but sources believe a match has been signed and could be revealed as early as tonight.
Swann was suspended in late February and subsequently was forced to sit out for a month and pay a heavy fine. Major League Wrestling felt Swann had demonstrated good behavior and having paid his fine in a timely fashion, the office of wrestling operations felt Swann could return to the ring.
During Swann’s suspension, Myron Reed publicly protested Swann’s suspension going as far as to tape his mouth closed and write “Free Swann” on the tape. This past weekend Reed was fined $3,000 for striking an official on MLW Fusion with a heavy warning levied that if Reed were to physically harm a referee again, he’d be automatically suspended.
Rich Swann’s attempted to have his suspension and fine overturned by the league but was overruled by Major League Wrestling. With Swann’s appeal failing, Swann’s suspension kept him out of action for the past 5 weeks.
Top ranked middleweight Swann was fined $3,000 and suspended for punching a referee and shoving broadcaster Rich Bocchini following his match on the February 16th MLW FUSION.
Swann said he meant to hit his opponent in the chest to “get some space”. The blow broke the official’s jaw and dislodged three of his teeth.
The suspension was handed down by the league’s wrestling operations office on Sunday February 17.
