10 Wrestlers Who Deserve More Respect

3. Jake Hager

What People Say: AEW took a risk by presenting former WWE midcard stalwart Jack Swagger as a top star during the debut episode of Dynamite. The wrestler-turned-MMA fighter lacks the God-given charisma or career credibility to excel as a one-man surprise invasion that'll pop the internet and give All Elite new eyeballs.

Why He Deserves Respect: When Hager requested his release from WWE in 2017, some wondered where he'd go. New Japan seemed like a prospect, and so did the indy scene, but there were no guarantees either would work out. Then, Jake got stuck into MMA training, signed with Bellator and won his first two fights via submission.

"We The People" became 'We The Surprised'.

It was a brave decision from Hager to break free from a cushy gig with WWE and push himself to new heights outside pro wrestling when so many others have failed. He cannot be blamed for capitalising on his newfound real-fight cred and signing with AEW's revolution either.