10 Wrestlers Who Deserve More Respect

3. Jake Hager

Jake Hager Jack Swagger
Twitter, @RealJackSwagger

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.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.