Is Jack Swagger In AEW? Unpacking Jake Hager's Current Status

Many wrestling fans, you know, often wonder about the whereabouts of their favorite stars, especially those who have made big moves between promotions. There's a lot of chatter, perhaps, about where certain familiar faces might pop up next. One name that frequently comes up in these conversations, arguably, is Jack Swagger. People are curious, it seems, about his current standing in the world of professional wrestling, particularly with All Elite Wrestling.

The individual we are discussing, as a matter of fact, is Jake Hager. He is, you see, widely recognized for his time in WWE, where he competed under the ring name Jack Swagger. His career, in a way, has spanned various notable promotions, making him a figure many followers of the sport have kept an eye on over the years. So, the question, quite simply, is whether this prominent athlete is still an active part of the AEW roster today.

It's a very common question, that, given the shifting landscapes of wrestling organizations and the many talents who move between them. Jake Hager, formerly known as Jack Swagger during his WWE tenure, has, in some respects, carved a robust path in AEW since his initial arrival. His journey, you know, has involved significant moments and associations within the company, which we will explore further to clarify his current position.

Table of Contents

Biography and Personal Details: Jake Hager (Jack Swagger)

Jacob "Jake" Hager Jr., who many will recognize as Jack Swagger, has had a fascinating career, you know, combining both professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. He is, arguably, a multifaceted athlete, and his story is quite compelling. Here is a quick look at some key details about him, just a little bit of background.

DetailInformation
Full NameDonald Jacob Hager Jr.
Ring NamesJack Swagger, Jake Hager, Jake Strong
BornMarch 24, 1982
Current Age42 years old (as of 2024)
NationalityAmerican
Primary RolesProfessional Wrestler, Mixed Martial Artist, Former Amateur Wrestler
Current StatusPerforms on the independent circuit (as of recent reports)
MMA PromotionBellator MMA

The Journey from WWE to AEW

Jake Hager, you know, has certainly made a name for himself across different wrestling organizations. His path, in a way, took him from one major company to another, making headlines each time. It's quite a journey, actually, when you look at it.

WWE Career as Jack Swagger

From 2006 until 2017, he worked in WWE as Jack Swagger. During this eleven-year period, he established himself, you know, as a significant presence within the company. He was, in fact, a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, which is a very high achievement. He was also part of a popular tag team, the Real Americans, with Claudio Castagnoli, who was known as Cesaro at the time. This partnership, you know, lasted from June 2013 to April 2014. After spending all those years with WWE, he also had stints, more or less, with MLW and Lucha Underground before his next big move.

AEW Debut and Early Impact

One of the biggest shocks on AEW Dynamite's debut TNT show, in October 2019, was the return to wrestling of the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Jack Swagger. He was, you know, now going by his real name, Jake Hager. This appearance, quite frankly, made headlines Wednesday night when the former WWE champion debuted at the end of the main event. He joined Chris Jericho's stable, which was a very significant moment, and it set the stage for his time with the new promotion. It was, arguably, a night of returning wrestlers, as AEW truly shocked the wrestling world by debuting Jake Hager, and it got people talking.

Jake Hager's AEW Tenure and Role

Once Jake Hager joined AEW, he became, in some respects, a very integral part of the company's early days. His role, you know, evolved over time, and he was involved in some of the promotion's most prominent storylines. It's interesting to see how his character developed.

The Inner Circle and Jericho Appreciation Society

Jake Hager was, in fact, featured as a member of the Inner Circle, which was Chris Jericho's original influential stable. This group, you know, was a dominant force in AEW for quite some time. Later, he transitioned, it seems, to become a part of the Jericho Appreciation Society. This showed, arguably, his continued alignment with Chris Jericho, a very central figure in AEW. While he was booked strong in AEW since his arrival, especially as an undefeated Bellator fighter, there were later discussions, as a matter of fact, that he just hadn't been used well at all lately. This shift, you know, in his usage within the company, became a talking point for fans.

Mixed Martial Arts Pursuits

Beyond the wrestling ring, Jake Hager has also, you know, established himself as a mixed martial artist. He was, in fact, signed to Bellator MMA and competed in the heavyweight division. Swagger, who competes for Bellator MMA under his real name, Jake Hager, was, in some respects, planning to balance being an MMA fighter with professional wrestling. This dual career, you know, highlights his athletic versatility. He has, apparently, established himself as a multifaceted athlete with notable careers in both professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. For more on his MMA career, you could look up Bellator MMA, as an example.

The Departure from AEW

The question, "Is Jack Swagger in AEW?" now has a very clear answer, actually, as recent developments have come to light. Fans, you know, let their voices be heard after a former WWE superstar was removed from AEW's official roster page. The star being discussed, as we know, is Jake Hager.

Contract Expiration and Free Agency

Now, Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net is reporting, you know, that Jake Hager, formerly known as Jack Swagger in WWE, is no longer a member of the AEW roster. Bodyslam.net has reported that Hager, formerly Jack Swagger in WWE, has parted ways with AEW. Hager wasn't released, which is interesting, but his deal with the promotion, it seems, recently expired, and he didn't want to sign a new contract. Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net is reporting that Hager’s contract with AEW recently expired, and he’s now a free agent. Haynes reported, in fact, that the decision was mutual between Hager and AEW, and the former Jack Swagger is now a free agent. His last match with the company, you know, was sometime before his deal ran out.

Fan Reactions and The Future

The news that Jake Hager, you know, is reportedly no longer with All Elite Wrestling, has certainly garnered attention. Fans, it seems, always have strong opinions when a familiar face departs from a major promotion. After spending almost two decades in the wrestling industry, former AEW star Jake Hager (fka Jack Swagger) is, in some respects, set to achieve a personal milestone, perhaps, as he moves forward. He currently performs, as a matter of fact, on the independent circuit, which means, you know, he's still active in wrestling, just not with AEW. This opens up, arguably, new possibilities for him in the wrestling world. You can learn more about wrestling news on our site, and link to this page here for further updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions people often ask about Jake Hager, formerly known as Jack Swagger, and his time in AEW, just to clear things up.

Is Jack Swagger still in AEW?
No, Jack Swagger, known as Jake Hager in AEW, is no longer with All Elite Wrestling. His contract with the promotion recently expired, and he decided not to sign a new one. He is now, in fact, a free agent and performs on the independent circuit.

What is Jack Swagger's real name?
Jack Swagger's real name is Donald Jacob Hager Jr., though he is widely known as Jacob "Jake" Hager. He used his real name, Jake Hager, during his tenure with All Elite Wrestling.

Why did Jake Hager leave AEW?
Jake Hager left AEW because his contract with the company recently expired, and he chose not to sign a new deal. Reports from Bodyslam.net indicate that the decision was mutual between Hager and AEW, making him a free agent.

Jack Swagger

Jack Swagger

Jack Swagger AEW Dynamite Jake Hager Surprise Debut TNT - Newsweek

Jack Swagger AEW Dynamite Jake Hager Surprise Debut TNT - Newsweek

Jack Swagger Likely Being Saved As Big AEW Surprise

Jack Swagger Likely Being Saved As Big AEW Surprise

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