10 Wrestlers You Didn't Know Were In NXT AND AEW

4. Jake Hager

Jericho wyatt aew
WWE/AEW

After re-inventing himself in MMA following two years in the pro-wrestling wilderness post-WWE release, Jake 'Jack Swagger' Hager turning up on the debut AEW Dynamite as Chris Jericho's legit Inner Circle tough was unexpected, to say the least. Despite his considerable amateur pedigree - not to mention a brief WWE push that'd seen him bag the big one - the Oklahoman didn't seem cut from the same cloth as the roster Tony Khan and co. had assembled.

Today, AEW is something of a variety show - albeit one backed up with quality fundamentals - and Hager is an effective component of it. Back in 2015, though his WWE apex had arguably already been and gone, the then-Real American alighted in the developmental territory for a match Sami Zayn, who was in the midst of a feud with Swagger's partner Cesaro. The Gadsden flag toting duo of Swagger and Zeb Colter popped into Full Sail to see what all the fuss was about, for a match deemed historically worthy enough to be included in WWE 2K15's NXT mode. Naturally, the main roster man won - but not without a little interference courtesy of NXT champ Bo Dallas.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.