AEW Releases Bear Boulder Following Arrest for Battery by Strangulation – AEW has parted ways with Bear Boulder, a longtime member of the Iron Savages tag team, following his recent legal troubles.
According to reports, Boulder, whose real name is Thomas Wansaw, was arrested on January 14 on charges of battery by strangulation. Upon learning of the situation and the details surrounding the arrest, AEW took swift action and terminated his contract.
Boulder had been a part of AEW since 2021, primarily competing in the tag team division alongside Bear Bronson. The duo, known for their powerhouse style, had sporadic appearances on AEW programming, including Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision, as well as frequent matches on AEW Dark and Dark: Elevation before those shows were discontinued. While they never reached the top of the tag team division, they were known for their hard-hitting performances and unique presence in the ring.
AEW has yet to issue an official statement on Boulder’s release. However, the company has taken similar actions in the past when talent faced legal issues. This swift response aligns with AEW’s stance on maintaining its public image and locker room culture.
As of now, no further details have been made available regarding Boulder’s legal case or potential future in professional wrestling. It remains to be seen if his tag team partner, Bear Bronson, will continue as a singles competitor or if AEW will look to repackage him in some way.
We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as more information emerges.
UPDATE:
Thomas Wansaw, 34, known as “Boulder” of The Iron Savages, was arrested on January 13 in Winter Garden, Florida, for battery by strangulation. Deputies responded to a call from Wansaw’s fiancée, who alleged he physically attacked her, leaving visible injuries. According to the police report, Wansaw pushed her to the ground, placed his foot on her throat, and caused her to lose consciousness. He later admitted to the assault, citing an argument as the trigger.
Wansaw was arrested without incident and assigned a public defender. Initially given a no-contact order, it was later modified to prohibit only “hostile/violent contact” at the victim’s request. He is also barred from possessing firearms.
No court date is currently scheduled, and the prosecution has yet to determine whether to proceed with charges.
Stay tuned to WrestlingAttitude, WA.Com On Twitter/X, Bluesky and Google News for more.
AEW Releases Bear Boulder Following Arrest for Battery by Strangulation
