Bellator Signs Former WWE Wrestler Jack Swagger

LOS ANGELES – Bellator is pleased to announce that it has reached a multi-fight, multi-year deal with Jake Hager, who was formerly known as “Jack Swagger” during his nearly nine-year run with WWE. The deal will see Hager make his MMA debut inside a Bellator cage. Hager will compete at heavyweight and is expected to debut in 2018.

A native of Perry, Okla., Hager would go on to be a collegiate wrestler at the University of Oklahoma, where he was an All-American and set the school record for most pins at the 285-pound weight class in a single season with 30. Following graduation and a conversation with legendary pro wrestling announcer and fellow Oklahoma Sooner, Jim Ross, Hager made the transition to professional wrestling and signed with WWE.

While in WWE, Hager would go on to claim multiple coveted professional titles during his time with the organization, including the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship and WWE United States Championship.

First of all – fucking love this press release. Bellator acknowledging the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship and WWE United States Championship as notable accolades in the mixed martial arts world makes ‘em A-OK in my book.

Secondly, this is kinda interesting, right? It’s not like a CM Punk thing, where this “fake fighter” is jumping into the UFC having never fought in his life. Jack Swagger was an All American wrestler at Oklahoma. He was a record setter. This is a pretty legit athlete we’re talking about here, or at least was. It’s been a long time since 35 year old Jack Swagger was in college, and you never really know how collegiate wrestling translates to mixed martial arts (there’s usually a feeling out process), but hey, I’m intrigued. We’re not looking at the next Brock Lesnar, but we’re certainly looking at someone who should know what they’re doing.

Sucks that he can’t use his name, though. Jack Hager just doesn’t have that same ring to it. They should go the TNA route and just sliiiiightly change it. Jack Shagger. Jack Bragger. Jack Stagger…s his opponents?