This article contains details of domestic violence allegations.
AEW has fired Bear Boulder (real name Thomas David Wansaw) after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his fianceé.
An affidavit filed with the Orange County Clerk of Courts, Florida, details the arresting officer’s account.
Wansaw was arrested on January 13th on charges of battery by strangulation following an alleged attack on a woman at their shared apartment.
A written plea of not guilty has been filed with the Clerk of Courts by Wansaw’s attorney.
According to the arrest report, Wansaw is alleged to have pushed the woman to the ground and placed his foot on her throat, causing her to lose consciousness. When she regained consciousness approximately five to ten minutes later, she managed to retreat to the balcony and call 911.
Police officers observed visible injuries on the alleged victim, including red marks and scratches around her neck, as well as a bruise on her hand.
The arrest report states that Wansaw admitted to the assault, telling officers he became angry after the woman made negative comments about his job. He was arrested at the scene and transported to the Orange County Detention Facility.
Wansaw was later released pending trial under the conditions of a no-contact order with the alleged victim.
Fightful first reported that Wansaw has been let go by AEW.
The full arrest report is below. Identifying details have been redacted.
On January 13, 2025, I, [Police Officer] responded to a location in unincorporated Orange County, Florida in reference to a call for service.
My investigation revealed; On January 13, 2025, I responded to an apartment located at [Redacted address] Winter Garden, Florida in reference to an aggravated battery. Upon arrival, I made contact with several deputies that already had a subject in custody.
I interviewed the caller/victim, [Redacted] who informed me she was physically battered by her fiancé, Thomas Wansaw.
I observed what appeared several injuries on [Redacted] and photographs were taken and uploaded to Axon Evidence to be attached to the report. According to [Redacted], she sustained injuries around her neck which included red marks as well scratches just below her neck just above her breast.
The back of [Redacted]’s neck was also red and appeared it was battered as well. [Redacted] also sustained a bruise that appeared to be bright red on her right hand.
According to [Redacted], she was in a verbal argument with Thomas Wansaw that escalated into a physical altercation when he pushed her to the ground. Thomas Wansaw then placed his foot onto her throat causing [Redacted] to lose consciousness and black out.
[Redacted] stated she gained consciousness approximately five to ten minutes later and was able to retreat outside to a patio/balcony area and call 911. [Redacted] stated she believes Thomas Wansaw picked her up and placed her on the couch as that is where she was when she regained consciousness.
[Redacted] stated this was not the first time Thomas Wansaw has been physically violent with her and it has happened approximately five to ten times over the course of their relationship.
[Redacted] also stated when Thomas Wansaw is attending his anger management courses, he is a completely different person. [Redacted] was cooperative but then during the investigation she stated she did not want Thomas Wansaw to go to jail as it will cause a great financial strain on their relationship.
[Redacted] did begin to complete a written statement but decided not to finish it because she did not want him to go to jail. [Redacted] did make the comment that if she recanted her story would he not go to jail and she was advised that would not happen at this point.
I read Thomas Wansaw his Miranda Warning and he was very cooperative and agreed to speak with me. Thomas Wansaw’s account of what occurred was consistent with [Redacted]’s testimony. Thomas Wansaw stated he knows what he did was not right but [Redacted] made some negative comments about his job and he became upset.
Thomas Wansaw did state he placed his foot on her neck and it did appear [Redacted] did lose consciousness and that is why he picked her up off the floor and placed her on the couch.
Thomas Wansaw did mention [Redacted] did pull a knife on him earlier in the day during another argument but he would not elaborate and did not want to pursue the issue.
I placed Thomas Wansaw under arrest for violation of Florida State Statute 784.031, Battery by Strangulation (domestic violence) and transported him to the Orange County Detention Facility for processing without incident.
[Redacted] declined several requests by deputies on scene for medical attention to respond and clear her. [Redacted] stated she will drive herself to the local hospital for evaluation. My agency issued body worn camera was activated during this entire call.
The Clerk of Courts website includes further documents that indicate a no-contact order was filed against Wansaw on January 14th.
A written plea of not guilty and waiver of arraignment was filed on January 15th via Wansaw’s public defender.
The most recent court document that is publicly available was filed on January 27th. It stipulates that a defense motion for modification of the no-contact order is granted without objections from the state.
The order states:
The no-contact order is modified to no hostile/violent contact with the victim.
The order to maintain separate residences is removed.
The following condition will remain in place: Do not own or possess any weapons, firearms, and ammunition.
The initial no-contact order required no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim and a requirement to maintain a separate residence. The alleged victim is listed as a state’s witness in the modified order.
The case is listed as open.
Boulder teamed with Bear Bronson as The Iron Savages, largely on Ring of Honor programming. He last wrestled for the company on January 11th.
