Jack Swagger

At 42 years old, Jack Swagger has this physical status:

Donald Jacob "Jake" Hager Jr. (born March 24, 1982) is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist who has signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

He is best known for his time in WWE under the ring name Jack Swagger.

He is currently signed to Bellator MMA, where he competes in the heavyweight division as a mixed martial artist.

He is now signed to Lucha Underground under the ring name Jake Strong, where he is the current Lucha Underground Champion. Hager played football and wrestling at the University of Oklahoma as a two-sport athlete, competing in both football and wrestling.

He returned to wrestling full time in his sophomore year and set the record for most pins in a season with 30 as an All-American in 2006.

Hager signed a WWE deal in mid-2006, where he appeared as "Jack Swagger" after a try-out.

He became a two-time world champion during his time with WWE, winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and the ECW Championship once each.

Since deciding to pursue a career in mixed martial arts (MMA), he left the company in 2017. Hager joined Bellator MMA in 2017.

He had his first professional fight against J.W. on January 26, 2019. Kiser at Bellator 214, where he defeated him by arm-triangle choke in the first round.

He faced T.J. Jones in his second bout with the promotion on May 11, 2019 in Bellator 221, where he defeated him again by arm-triangle choke in the first round.

He is currently undefeated with a record of 2–0(1).

Early life

At the age of five, Hager began wrestling. He wrestled with Danny Hodge's grandson in high school and remains a good friend with Hodge as he grew up two blocks away from him in Perry, Oklahoma.

Hager was recruited by the University of Oklahoma as a two-sport athlete in football and wrestling. He was the second-string defensive tackle behind eventual National Football League players Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek. He stopped playing football and concentrated entirely on wrestling his sophomore year. Throughout his junior year, Jim Ross, Who was World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s Head of Talent Relations at the time, was introduced to Jim Ross, Hager's close friend and college roommate. After graduating to find out about a career in professional wrestling, Ross encouraged Hager to reach him. He lost in the second round to University of Pennsylvania's Matt Feast in the NCAA Division I championships in 2005 and did not place. Hager finished seventh-place in the NCAA championships as a senior in 2006, as well as defeating Dustin Fox, the future national champion. Hager was named an All-American at the end of the season, while setting the Oklahoma record for most pins in a single season with 30.

Hager earned a Bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Oklahoma in 2006. Following his graduation, he was supposed to work with a Dallas, Texas, but he turned to WWE after they announced a deal the day before he was supposed to begin.

Personal life

Hager resides in Tampa, Florida. In December 2010, he married Catalina White. The two met in FCW, where White wrestled under the name Saylor James. They have two children.

Through publisher Squared Circle Comics, Hager unveiled the first issue of his biographical comic book series, You Don't Know Jack: The Jake Hager Story in March 2019.

After a SmackDown taping, Hager was arrested in Gulfport, Mississippi, on February 19, 2013. He was charged with driving under the influence and smoking marijuana. After the detention, Hager was released from jail and was ordered to appear in court on March 12, 2013. He was later scheduled to stand trial in Mississippi on June 25, 2013. With his two-day jail term suspended, the marijuana conviction was dismissed after he was fined $500 and sentenced to six months probation.

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Professional wrestling career

Hager had a WWE tryout in Deep South Wrestling (DSW), and he made his in-ring debut for DSW in September 2006, defeating Antonio Mestre in a dark match.

He competed primarily in dark matches before being transferred to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in January 2007. He made his debut for the promotion by defeating Atlas DaBone, and a rivalry with K.C. began in the following months. James. Hager began wrestling with a slew of opponents, including James and his tag team partner Cassidy James. During a brawl between John Cena and Umaga on Raw, he served as a security guard in the urban areas.

Hager was recalled to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he and TJ Wilson clashed in August 2007. The final two men remaining in a 23-man tournament royal to determine the two candidates for the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship were John Hager and Ted DiBiase Jr. on February 15, 2008. Hager then defeated DiBiase to become the champion. Hager met with FCW Southern Heavyweight Champion Heath Miller in New Port Richey, Florida, on March 22, 2008, to determine the true Heavyweight champion. Both titles were on the line, and Hager defeated Miller to become the undefeated heavyweight champion in FCW. He later defended the league against Miller, TJ Wilson, James Curtis, and Gabe Tuft.

Hager had the gimmick of having an undefeated streak in FCW at this point. At the TV taping on August 18, 2008, his first defeat came in the form of a Raw dark match. In a dark match, he also lost to D'Lo Brown before defeating Jamie Noble in a dark match just before SmackDown taping on August 29. After debuting for the ECW, he lost the FCW Heavyweight Championship to Sheamus O'Shaunessy on September 18, defeating the ECW's first appearance.

Hager made his ECW debut on September 9, 2008, defeating a local rival. He quickly established himself as a villain by starting a feud with Tommy Dreamer. When Dreamer tried to discourage Swagger from attacking Chase Stevens, he assaulted him on September 23 of ECW. In a normal match and a "Amateur Wrestling Challenge" tournament, he defeated Dreamer. Their rivalry came to an end in November in a Extreme Rules contest, which Swagger beat.

He then attempted to defy Matt Hardy for the ECW Championship, and was named the top contender on the December 30 episode of ECW. Swagger won his first title in WWE, the ECW Championship, on January 13, 2009 episode of ECW. On the February 3 episode of ECW, his undefeated streak in singles competition came to an end when he lost to Finlay in a non-title match. Swagger sparked a rivalry with the returning Christian, who lost the ECW Championship at Backlash, ending his reign at 104 days. At Judgment Day and in a triple threat hardcore match at Extreme Rules involving Dreamer, he attempted to regain control against Christian, but was unsuccessful in both attempts. In an ECW Championship Scramble that ended, his attempt to win the ECW Championship at The Bash fell short.

Swagger was signed to WWE on June 29, 2009, making his debut as part of a three-on-one gaggle match against WWE Champion Randy Orton, in which he was intentionally counted out in order to give a good impression of Orton. He won his first match on the brand by defeating Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP). He then feuded with MVP for several weeks, culminating in a competition that MVP won at SummerSlam. Swagger began aiming for the United States Championship after his brief rivalry with MVP ended. On September 21, he had a title match against Kofi Kingston but lost by countout after stealing the championship belt and leaving the arena with it, but Kingston later pulled it back, but The Miz was in a physical confrontation with Swagger. In a triple threat match against Kingston and The Miz, Swagger made another unsuccessful attempt at the title at Hell in a Cell. Swagger appeared in number 26 in the Royal Rumble match but was later dismissed by Kofi Kingston.

Swagger defeated Santino Marella on March 1, 2010, the first year he fought, earning a spot in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania XXVI, where he won, and winning a new challenge. Swagger tried to cash in his Bank account against WWE Champion John Cena on the first episode of WWE Raw, but he regretted it when he discovered that Cena was not incapacitated enough to be defeated easily. Swagger retained the deal for use at a later date as the match had never started.

After being speared by Edge, Swagger participated in the SmackDown taping on April 2, 2010. Swagger went on to defeat Jericho for the first time, and then joined the SmackDown brand. Swagger began to become more serious persona after his championship win: he had been known for doing pushups and beating his chest at his ring entrance. In a triple threat match against Edge and Jericho on April 16 in a Extreme Rules match at Extreme Rules, he successfully defended the title against Edge and Jericho. Swagger retained the title against the Big Show by intentionally disqualifying himself at Over the Limitation. Swagger lost the championship to Rey Mysterio in a deadly four-way match involving CM Punk and The Big Show, putting an end to his world championship reign at 79 days. Swagger began assaulting Mysterio in the lead up to his rematch at the Money in the Bank's pay-per-view in July, but the pair failed to recover the title, putting an end to their brief feud, and Swagger's main event status began to fade away after the Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view. This match also received critical acclaim as one of the year's best matches.

Swagger was accompanied to the ring by his mascot, the Swagger Soaring Eagle, who was portrayed by Chavo Guerrero in late 2010. Swagger, Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, took part in a triple threat ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship against Kofi Kingston and champion Dolph Ziggler, which Ziggler retained.

Michael Cole's manager for his match against Jerry Lawler on February 28 in Raw's episode, Swagger. Swagger competed with Lawler in a singles match on March 28 in a steel chair, which he won by disqualification after Lawler beat him by a steel chair. When attempting to exclude Cole from the match, Swagger gets a Stone Cold Stunner from the guest referee, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Cole defeated the game by disqualification. Swagger was introduced to the Raw brand as part of the 2011 supplemental draft on April 26, 2011. Swagger and Cole teamed up against Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross in a Country Whipping match at Extreme Rules. After Cole insulted him, Swagger ended his relationship with Cole on the May 16 episode of Raw.

Swagger and Evan Bourne feuded on May 23, with both men winning multiple episodes of Raw. Bourne defeated Swagger to bring an end to the feud at Capitol Punishment. Swagger was successful in his second Money in the Bank ladder match at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, but the match was lost by Alberto Del Rio.

After losing Alex Riley, Swagger suggested to Vickie Guerrero that she handle several clients, in the vein of managers like Bobby Heenan and Freddie Blassie. Swagger had a "try out" match the following week, but was interrupted by Guerrero's brawl with Dolph Ziggler at ringside, and lost the match. Swagger and Ziggler continued to fight over Guerrero for the next two weeks, culminating in a contest between Ziggler's United States Championship at Night of Champions, which also involved Riley and John Morrison. Swagger was disqualified in winning the title at Night of Champions, although Ziggler retained. Guerrero decided to control Swagger on the 19th episode of Raw. Swagger and Ziggler formed an alliance as a result, with Swagger assisting Ziggler in retaining his championship. Swagger and Ziggler unsuccessfully challenged Air Boom (Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston) for the WWE Tag Team Championship at both Hell in a Cell and Vengeance pay-per-views.

Swagger beat Zack Ryder in the United States Championship for the first time on January 16, 2012, on Raw's January 16, 2012. Swagger defended his position against Justin Gabriel in the Elimination Chamber. Primo & Epico defeated Primo & Epico in a triple threat tag team match involving Kofi Kingston and R-Truth on February 27 in an episode of Raw, Swagger and Ziggler. Swagger lost the United States Championship to Santino Marella on March 5 in Rawman's final battle, snapping his reign at 49 days. After Marella escaped through the cage door, Swagger failed to regain the United States Championship in a steel cage match on the following episode of SmackDown. Swagger was announced as a member of Team Johnny at WrestleMania XXVIII on March 19th, a match Team Johnny claimed. Marella was unsuccessfully defeated by Raw, Swagger, and Ziggler in a triple threat match on April 2nd. Swagger and Ziggler met Kofi Kingston and R-Truth for WWE Tag Team Championship in May, finishing first at Over the Limit and second on Raw's May 28 episode. Raw, Swagger, and Ziggler competed in a fierce four-way elimination match for a top-four contender's spot in the World Heavyweight Championship on June 11, but Ziggler disqualified him after Ziggler pinned him down. Guerrero, who had become ill of the bickering between Swagger and Ziggler, had called for a match between them, but Ziggler won the match, putting an end to their friendship, and Vickie Guerrero's relationship came to an end.

Swagger defeated Santino Marella for the United States Championship on June 25 on Raw's June 25 episode. Swagger began losing streak against Tyson Kidd, Sheamus, Brodus Clay, and Ryback after this defeat. Swagger revealed on Raw General Manager AJ Lee that he would not have "extended time off" after losing to Sheamus on the September 3 episode of Raw.

Swagger returned to SmackDown in 2013 on February 1, 2013 and asked that SmackDown General Manager Booker T be present in the Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber. Swagger returned to action on Saturday by defeating Kofi Kingston later that night. Swagger introduced Zeb Colter, a self-proclaimed great American hero who has adamantly supported anti-immigration views, on the February 11 episode of Raw; Swagger's character was influenced by Colter's appearance on the Raw show. Swagger beat Zack Ryder in the Elimination Chamber match that would determine the top contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, which he also won after losing Randy Orton in the same episode.

Swagger and Colter's appearances, according to Fox News and several conservative commentators, were a derogation of the Tea Party movement intended to "demonize" the Tea Party movement, according to Glenn Beck. WWE responded to the outrage by saying that they were incorporating "current events" into [their] storylines" to "produce engaging and relevant material for [their] audience" and that "this storyline in no way represents WWE's political viewpoint." Since being a PG rating for the protagonist and the villains, Alberto Del Rio, and Colter's opponents, Swagger and Colter, were able to elicit a crowd reaction on Raw, WWE followed him by having Swagger and Colter break character during a video to invite Beck to attend, although they were not rated on Raw, unlike several high-rated scripted dramas that use murder and rape in their storylines. Beck turned down the invitation. After Rodriguez attempted to save Del Rio from Swagger's brutal assault, Swagger broke the ankle of Del Rio's ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez on March 18 episode of Raw.

Swagger unsuccessfully challenged Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship on April 7 at WrestleMania 29. Del Rio defeated Raw, Swagger, and Zeb Colter in a Two-on-one handicap match after coercing Swagger to surrender to the Cross Armbreaker. Dolph Ziggler came home and became the new World Heavyweight Champion straight after his release in the Bank briefcase on Del Rio. Swagger would then clash with Del Rio and Ziggler over the World Heavyweight Championship, with Swagger defeating Ziggler in a non-title match and Del Rio attacking him later. Swagger had been expected to face Ziggler and Del Rio in a three-way ladder match for the World Heavyweight Championship under extreme conditions, but Ziggler would have a valid concussion at a SmackDown taping, effectively ending their match from the table. Swagger will not be able to face Del Rio in a top-five contender I Quit match on May 19, which Del Rio defeated due to Ziggler's injury. Swagger underwent a leave absence in June to have surgery on his hand, which left him stranded for the remainder of the month.

Swagger returned to his match against Cody Rhodes on July 1 in Raw, accompanying Zeb Colter's new client Antonio Cesaro. Swagger and Cesaro were competing in the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank ladder match, but both were dissatisfied because Damien Sandow won the match. For the first time, Raw, Swagger, Cesaro, and The Real Americans, gathered together for the first time, but the Usos came to an end. The Real Americans competed in a number one contender Tag Team Turmoil tournament for the WWE Tag Team Championship on the Night of Champions, in which they were eliminated by The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil). Since defeating both of them in singles competition, the Real Americans entered a feud with Santino Marella. The Real Americans defeated Marella and The Great Khali in a tag team match on October 6 at Battleground. The Real Americans moved into feuding with Los Matadores, culminating in a tag team match that Los Matadores won on October 27, which Los Matadores won. The Real Americans defeated WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes and Goldust in a non-title match the following night on Raw. Swagger competed in a 5 on 5 standard Survivor Series tag team competition in which their team defeated Rey Mysterio, Cody Rhodes, Goldust, and The Usos' team at Survivor Series. They also applied for the WWE Tag Team Championship in a losing battle involving RybAxel and the team of Big Show and Rey Mysterio at TLC. Swagger will compete in the 2014 Royal Rumble match at entrant #7, but Kevin Nash has disqualified him, as well as Kevin Nash. Swagger became the top Contender for the Intercontinental Championship after winning a Fatal 4-Way match, defeating Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, and Mark Henry on February 14 episode of SmackDown. Swagger will now move to Elimination Chamber, where he will meet the new Intercontinental Champion, Big E, in Elimination Chamber.

The Real Americans were the last team to be eliminated from the WWE Tag Team Championship after a dramatic four-way match on the pre-show of WrestleMania XXX. Cesaro was blamed for the loss and stuffed Cesaro in the Patriot Lock before Colter demanded that the pair shake hands. Cesaro, on Swagger, retaliated with a Cesaro Swing. Cesaro was a surprise entrant in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, winning by last removing Big Show by body slamming him out of the contest, which mimics Hulk Hogan's monumental body slam of André. Swagger retaliated by attacking Cesaro on the following Raw and then destroying the trophy, effectively ending the game.

Following the dissolution of their team, Swagger will feud with Cesaro, with Rob Van Dam also drawn into the conflict, with the three teams fighting in a triple threat elimination match at Extreme Rules, which Cesaro won. On the May 5 episode of Raw, Swagger, and Zeb Colter, you will begin to rant about the international superstars in WWE before being interrupted by debuting Adam Rose. Swagger will miss matches over the next month due to Rose's distraction by being on ringside with his "Rosebuds." This will result in a match on June 2nd of Raw, in which Swagger will be defeated by Rose. Swagger would compete in the Money in the Bank ladder match, which was won by Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank's pay-per-view.

Swagger turned face for the first time in WWE on June 30, after he and Colter would question Rusev and Lana about how they disrespect America. This would result in a number of matches between the two teams, with Swagger being defeated by Rusev at both Battleground and SummerSlam. Swagger will find Colter assaulted backstage on the December 1 episode of Raw, with Rusev later confessing to the assault. Swagger would face Rusev for the United States Championship at TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, defeating the pair in a losing bid and bringing an end to their feud.

Swagger began to appear on television less often after his match against Rusev at TLC. Swagger participated in the 2015 Royal Rumble match in Windsor, England, but it was cut off by Big Show's demise. Swagger competed in the 2nd Annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in which he was again eliminated by Big Show at WrestleMania 31, 31. Swagger appeared on the November 2 episode of Raw, meeting his former boss Zeb Colter but then to be interrupted by Alberto Del Rio, Colter's new client. Tables, Ladders, and Chairs was the start of a feud between the two teams, which culminated in TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, with Swagger vying for the WWE United States Championship in a Chairs contest that Del Rio defeated. Swagger defeated Rusev by submission in a "Boot Camp" match at the 2015 Tribute to the Troops event.

Swagger teamed with Mark Henry in a winning effort against Darren Young and Damien Sandow, The Dudley Boyz, and The Ascension team on January 24, 2016. Swagger qualified for the Royal Rumble match itself during the show, but it was quickly dismissed by Brock Lesnar in only 16 seconds. Chris Jericho will beat Swagger at Roadblock. Swagger will compete in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which was won by Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 32. Swagger defeated Rusev in Swagger's home state of Oklahoma in a losing proposition by count-out on June 6th episode of Raw. Swagger attacked Rusev after the match, leading the crowd in a "We the People" chant. Swagger appeared on "Team USA," which consisted of himself, Big Show, Apollo Crews, Mark Henry, Zack Ryder, and the Dudley Boyz, winning a 16-man elimination tag team competition against "The Multinational Alliance," in which their team was victorious over "The Multinational Alliance," a 16-man elimination tag team match involving Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, Alberto Del Rio and the Lucha Dragons

Swagger was introduced to the Raw brand in the 2016 WWE draft. Swagger met Jinder Mahal in a losing effort on September 12's Raw episode. After the match, Tom Phillips told Swagger that his "Raw deal" came to an end soon, in which Swagger ignored Phillips and walked away. He changed brands on SmackDown, disrupting Baron Corbin and announcing that he had committed solely to the brand. On the October 4 episode of SmackDown, Swagger defeated Corbin because the referee thought he had submitted when he was actually trying to reach the bottom rope. Corbin would then defeat Swagger twice at the No Mercy pay-per-view and again on the October 18 episode of SmackDown, putting an end to the feud, and it will be Swagger's last televised match in WWE.

Hager revealed on Chael Sonnen's podcast that he had requested his freedom from WWE on March 1, 2017. WWE released a statement two days later claiming that Hager had not been granted his freedom. This was in reaction to Hager's decision to go on as an outsider. WWE had officially granted Hager his freedom on March 13, 2017.

In 2017, Hager returned to competitive wrestling on the independent circuit. He revealed (using his Jack Swagger ring name) that he would be joining the House of Hardcore 2017 Australian tour. Four events were held between June 16 and April 24, 2017, according to the Australia tour. Hager won the heavyweight title in February 2018 after defeating John Morrison. Hager was the second and final champion in the competition in March 2018, with Hager being the second and final champion. On PPW High Voltage, Jack Swagger competed for PPW and became the PPW Heavyweight Champion.

Hager defeated MVP to become the Imperial Wrestling Revolution champion on April 20, 2018. Hager unsuccessfully challenged Nick Aldis for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleCade on November 24, 2018. SuperShow : Hager defeated Nick Aldis in the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Hager made his debut as a heel on the second episode of Lucha Underground on June 20, 2018. Jake Strong, nicknamed "The Savage" by Jake Strong, joined Infamous Inc. alongside Sammy Guevara and Big Bad Steve, fighting the Trios Champions The Mack, Son of Havoc, and Killshot. Strong attacked every member of his team, including Infamous Inc's chief, Famous B. Strong then began a feud with Drago and Aerostar, losing both in singles matches and in a handicap Nunchaku match. Strong defeated A. R. Fox at 7 a.m. on October 17, and he defeated Johnny Mundo the same night. Strong defeated the Lucha Underground Gift of the Gods Championship from seven to seven survivors last week. Strong won the Ultima Lucha Underground Championship on Sunday, the last episode of season 4, and he went on to defeat Pentagon Dark to become the new Lucha Underground Champion. Strong became the final Lucha Underground Champion after being suspended after the season four finale, thus making Strong the final Lucha Underground Champion.

Hager made his Major League Wrestling debut against Jeff Cobb on May 3, 2018.

Hager debuted on All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the first episode of Dynamite, collaborating with Chris Jericho, Santana, and Ortiz, and Sammy Guevara in the aftermath of the main event. He and Guevara, Santana, and Ortiz founded The Inner Circle, led by Jericho. He was in his in-ring debut for the AEW on February 29, 2020, where he defeated Dustin Rhodes. After a match with Chico Adams on March 25, 2020, Jon Moxley attacked Hager in a Dynamite episode. Hager retaliated against Moxley after this, on the AEW Dark's March 31, 2020 episode as revenge. The rivalry culminated in an Empty Arena No Holds Barred match for the AEW World Championship in April 15, 2020, Hager's first defeat in AEW, marking his first defeat in the AEW's. Sammy Guevara's vest was thrown and walked out during a team meeting on February 9, 2022, of AEW Dynamite. Jericho and Hager would face Santana and Ortiz in a tag team match the following week, with the Inner Circle Implodes match being named as the Inner Circle Implodes match. The Inner Circle was disbanded on March 9, 2022, as Hager and Jericho assisted Jericho in attacking Santana and Ortiz, and the Jericho Appreciation Society was formed.

Mixed martial arts career

Hager revealed on November 13, 2017 that he had committed to fight for Bellator MMA as part of the Heavyweight division.

Hager would make his J.W. debut against J.W. on December 3, 2018. Kiser at Bellator 214. At 2:09 of the first round, Hager secured the fight by submission.

He faced T.J. Jones at Bellator 221. It was Hager's second time in the promotion. In the first round, he defeated the fight by an arm-triangle choke. The match was marred by controversies, but Hager hung on to the choke for several seconds after Jones was tapped. Evidently dissatisfied referee Mike Beltran had to physically pull Hager off of Jones, and the arena audience booed Hager.

Hager defeated Anthony Garrett at Bellator 231 in his third fight with the promotion. Hager struck Garrett in two unintentional groin strikes, leaving Garrett dead, causing Garrett to miss the game.

On October 29, 2020, Hager met Brandon Calton at Bellator 250. He was voted out of the competition by a split decision.

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