8. Jack Swagger
Debuting on the WWE branded version of ECW in September 2008, former amateur wrestling stand-out Jake Jack Swagger Hager was handed the undefeated streak gimmick and, four months later, the ECW world title. Granted, at the time the ECW strap was the company's C-rated World Title, and probably a step behind the Intercontinental Championship that CM Punk would win the same week, but its still a statement of intent. The undefeated streak fell by the wayside shortly afterwards but it had done its job and created an aura of mystique around the rookie in his introduction to the WWE audience. Just over a year later, hed win the Money In The Bank briefcase at WrestleMania XXVI, cashing-in the contract only a few weeks later to win the World Heavyweight Championship. The proper one this time. Hed hold it for around three months - hardly the record of legends. Since then, Swaggers been hovering around the tag team division, had a brief United States Championship run, and flirted heavily with out-and-out racism as a xenophobic heel character. The last two years? Not a lot. Hes barely been on television, and lasted 29 seconds in this years Royal Rumble. A big guy with a fast, intense and technical brawling style, Swaggers one drawback has been his voice, cursed as he is with a clear and obvious lisp. Its not something thats ever held Ric Flair or Dusty Rhodes back, however. Given the mans upside as a wrestler, its surprising that more hasnt been done with him over the last few years.
Jack Morrell
Contributor
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
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