Donald Jacob Hager Jr. aka Jake Hager was born on March 24, 1982. He is a professional wrestler and mixed martial artist from the United States. He is presently a part of the Jericho Appreciation Society stable and is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as Jake Hager. Hager is also well-known for his stint in the WWE, where he competed as the former world champion Jack Swagger. He is presently a mixed martial artist with Bellator MMA, where he fights in the heavyweight class.
Hager competed in football and wrestling while a student-athlete at the University of Oklahoma. In his second year, he moved to wrestling full-time, and as an All-American in 2006, he established the record for the most pins in a season with 30. Hager received a WWE contract after a tryout and began working there as "Jack Swagger" in the middle of 2006. He won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship twice, the ECW Championship once, and the United States Championship once when he was a member of the company. After deciding to pursue a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career, he departed the business in 2017.
Hager joined Bellator MMA in 2017. On January 26, 2019, he competed in his first professional match, defeating J.W. Kiser at Bellator 214 by arm-triangle choke in the first frame. On May 11, 2019, at Bellator 221, he faced T.J. Jones in his second bout with the organization, which he won by arm-triangle choke in the first frame. He presently has a 3-0 (1) record and is unbeaten. Before joining AEW in 2019, he continued to perform as a wrestler for numerous organizations, notably Lucha Underground as Jake Strong, where he held the title of last Lucha Underground Champion.
| Name | Donald Jacob Hager Jr. |
| D.O.B | March 24, 1982. |
| Height | 2.01m |
| Weight | 125kg |
| Occupation | Professional wrestler and Mixed Martial Artist |
| Professional Debut | 2006 |
| Ex-Wife | Catalina White Hager |
| Professional name | Jake Hager |
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Hager began wrestling when he was five years old. He wrestled in high school with Danny Hodge’s grandson, and he is still good friends with Hodge, having grown up two blocks away in Perry, Oklahoma.
Hager was recruited by the University of Oklahoma as a two-sport athlete in football and wrestling. He was the third-string defensive lineman behind eventual NFL players Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek. During his sophomore year, he stopped playing football and focused only on wrestling.
During his junior year, he was introduced to Jim Ross, the Head of Talent Relations for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) at the time, by former OU defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, Hager’s close friend and college roommate. Ross advised Hager to contact him after graduation to inquire about a professional wrestling career. He failed not place in the 2005 NCAA Division I finals after losing in the second round against the University of Pennsylvania’s Matt Feast. As a senior in 2006, Hager finished eighth in the NCAA finals and beat eventual national champion Dustin Fox of Northwestern University. At the end of the season, Hager was awarded an All-American and established the Oklahoma record for most pins in a single season with 30.
In 2006, Hager had a WWE tryout in Deep South Wrestling (DSW), and in September 2006, he made his in-ring debut for DSW, defeating Antonio Mestre in a dark match under his own name.
Before joining Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in January 2007, he mostly wrestled in dark matches. He made his debut for the company by defeating Atlas DaBone, and he soon developed a feud with K.C. James. Hager began feuding with James and his tag team partner Cassidy James by joining up with a slew of opponents. He appeared on Raw as a security guard during a confrontation between John Cena and Umaga during his stint in the developing territories.
Hager was moved to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in August 2007, where he began a rivalry with TJ Wilson. On February 15, 2008, Hager and Ted DiBiase Jr. were the final two men standing in a 23-man fight royal to determine the two challengers for the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship at the Florida State Fair in Tampa, Florida. Hager then beat DiBiase to win the title. Hager faced FCW Southern Heavyweight Champion Heath Miller in New Port Richey, Florida on March 22, 2008, to establish the real Heavyweight Champion.
Both crowns were on the line, as Hager triumphed against Miller to become FCW’s undisputed heavyweight champion. Later, he defended his title against Miller, TJ Wilson, James Curtis, and Gabe Tuft.
During this period, Hager advertised an undefeated streak in FCW. His first defeat occurred in a Raw Dark match on August 18, 2008, when he was defeated by William Regal. He also lost a dark match to D’Lo Brown before defeating Jamie Noble in a dark match during a SmackDown taping on August 29. On September 18, after making his ECW debut, he lost the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship to Sheamus O’Shaunessy.
On September 9, 2008, Hager debuted on the ECW brand as Jack Swagger, winning a match against a local challenger. By initiating a rivalry with Tommy Dreamer, he quickly established himself as a heel. On the September 23 edition of ECW, he assaulted Dreamer when Dreamer attempted to stop Swagger from hitting Chase Stevens. He went on to defeat Dreamer in both a regular bout and a “Amateur Wrestling Challenge” tournament. After weeks of battling, their animosity came to a climax in November with an Extreme Rules battle that Swagger won.
He subsequently attempted to challenge Matt Hardy for the ECW Championship, and on the December 30 episode of ECW, he was designated the #1 contender. Swagger beat Hardy on the January 13, 2009 edition of ECW to earn his first WWE championship, the ECW Championship. His unbeaten record in the singles competition came to an end on the February 3 episode of ECW when he was defeated in a non-title contest by Finlay. Swagger developed a feud with the returning Christian after successfully defending his championship against Hardy at the Royal Rumble and Finlay at No Way Out. Swagger lost the ECW Championship at Backlash, finishing his reign at 104 days.
He attempted to reclaim the championship against Christian at Judgement Day and again in a triple-threat hardcore match at Extreme Rules, both times failing. His effort to win the ECW Championship in an ECW Championship Scramble at The Bash likewise failed.
Swagger was transferred to the Raw brand on June 29, 2009, and made his debut as part of a three-on-one gauntlet match against WWE Champion Randy Orton, in which he intentionally counted himself out in order to create an impression on Orton. On the July 13 edition of Raw, he defeated Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) in his debut match.[40] He subsequently feuded with MVP for many weeks, culminating in a bout that MVP won at SummerSlam. Swagger resumed seeking the United States Championship after his brief rivalry with MVP ended.
On September 21, he faced Kofi Kingston in a title match but lost by count-out after stealing the championship belt and fleeing the ring with it, which Kingston subsequently returned as Swagger was engaged in a violent altercation with The Miz. Swagger had another failed championship defense at Hell in a Cell, this time against Kingston and The Miz in a triple-threat match. Swagger entered as number 26 in the Royal Rumble match but was eventually eliminated by Kofi Kingston.
Swagger beat Santino Marella on the March 1, 2010, edition of Raw to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania XXVI, which he won, earning a contract for any WWE world championship the following year. Swagger attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract against WWE Champion John Cena on the first edition of Raw following WrestleMania but altered his mind when he realized Cena was not handicapped enough to be easily defeated. Swagger kept the contract for future use because the contest never started.
Swagger cashed in the contract on April 2, 2010, following Edge’s spearing of then-World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho. Swagger went on to defeat Jericho for the first time to capture the World Heavyweight Championship and afterward joined the SmackDown brand. Swagger began to create a more serious attitude after winning the belt; earlier, he was renowned for performing pushups and banging his chest during his ring entrance. On the April 16 edition of SmackDown, he successfully defended the championship against Edge and Jericho in a triple threat match, then against Randy Orton in an Extreme Rules match.
Swagger defended his championship against Big Show at Over the Limit by purposely disqualifying himself. Swagger lost the belt to Rey Mysterio in a fatal four-way match that also included CM Punk and The Big Show at Fatal 4-Way, ending his global championship reign at 79 days. Following the Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view, Swagger began targeting Mysterio in preparation for his rematch at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view in July, but he failed to reclaim the belt, therefore ending their short rivalry and Swagger’s main event reputation began to diminish. However, this encounter was hailed by critics as one of the greatest of the year.
Swagger was confirmed as Michael Cole’s trainer for his WrestleMania XXVII bout against Jerry Lawler on the February 28 episode of Raw. Swagger met Lawler in a singles bout on the March 28 episode of Raw, which he won by disqualification after Lawler assaulted him with a steel chair. When attempting to remove Cole from the contest at WrestleMania, Swagger was hit with a Stone Cold Stunner by guest referee Stone Cold Steve Austin. Cole went on to win the bout after being disqualified.
Swagger was recruited to the Raw brand as part of the 2011 supplementary draft on April 26. Swagger and Cole teamed up to defeat Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross in a Country Whipping match at Extreme Rules. Swagger abandoned his relationship with Cole on Raw on May 16 after Cole insulted him.
After defeating Alex Riley on the August 15 edition of Raw, Swagger suggested to Vickie Guerrero that she manage many clients, similar to Bobby Heenan and Freddie Blassie. The next week, Swagger had a “tryout” match but was distracted by Guerrero bickering with Dolph Ziggler at ringside, and lost. For the following several weeks, Swagger and Ziggler fought over Guerrero, which culminated in a contest for Ziggler’s United States Championship at Night of Champions, also including Riley and John Morrison. Swagger was unable to capture the championship at Night of Champions, as Ziggler retained.
Guerrero agreed to manage Swagger on the September 19 edition of Raw. As a consequence, Swagger and Ziggler established an alliance, with Swagger assisting Ziggler in retaining his title. Swagger and Ziggler unsuccessfully challenged Air Boom (Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston) for the WWE Tag Team Championship at both the Hell in a Cell and Vengeance pay-per-views.
Swagger won the United States Championship for the first time on Raw on January 16, 2012, when he defeated Zack Ryder. Swagger successfully defended his championship against Justin Gabriel at Elimination Chamber. Swagger and Ziggler challenged Primo & Epico for the WWE Tag Team Championship in a triple threat tag team bout including Kofi Kingston and R-Truth on the February 27 episode of Raw. Swagger lost the United States Championship against Santino Marella on the March 5 edition of Raw, ending his reign at 49 days. Swagger failed to reclaim the United States Championship in a steel cage match on the next edition of SmackDown after Marella escaped through the cage door.
Swagger was confirmed as a member of Team Johnny at WrestleMania XXVIII on the March 19 edition of Raw, a match Team Johnny won. Swagger and Ziggler challenged Marella for the United States Championship in a triple-threat match on the April 2 episode of Raw. Swagger and Ziggler failed to challenge Kofi Kingston and R-Truth for the WWE Tag Team Championship in May.
Swagger and Ziggler fought in a fatal four-way elimination match for a number one contender’s slot in the World Heavyweight Championship on the June 11 episode of Raw; however, he was eliminated after Ziggler pinned him.
The next week, Guerrero, bored of Swagger and Ziggler’s arguing, organized a fight between them; Ziggler won the bout, thereby ending their alliance and his clientele affiliation with Vickie Guerrero. Swagger unsuccessfully challenged Santino Marella for the United States Championship on the June 25 edition of Raw. Swagger was on a three-month losing run against the likes of Tyson Kidd, Sheamus, Brodus Clay, and Ryback after this defeat. Swagger informed Raw General Manager AJ Lee that he will take “extended time off” after losing to Sheamus on the September 3 edition of Raw.
Then Hager fought with many other wrestlers and different gimmicks till 2017. Hager declared on Chael Sonnen’s podcast on March 1, 2017 that he has asked his release from WWE. WWE published a statement two days later stating that Hager had not been granted his freedom. This was in response to Hager’s announcement of an independent date. On March 13, 2017, it was revealed that WWE had officially released Hager.
In 2017, Hager returned to professional wrestling on the independent circuit. He stated (using the ring name Jack Swagger) that he will be joining the House of Hardcore 2017 Australian tour. The Australia tour featured four events between June 16 and June 24, 2017. Hager joined 5 Star Wrestling in February 2018 and won the heavyweight championship after defeating John Morrison. Hager was the promotion’s second and final champion when it ended in March 2018. Jack Swagger also competed for PPW, becoming the PPW Heavyweight Champion on February 11, 2018. Hager defeated MVP to win the Imperial Wrestling Revolution title on April 20, 2018. At WrestleCade: SuperShow on November 24, 2018, Hager unsuccessfully challenged Nick Aldis for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
On June 20, 2018, Hager made his debut as a heel on the second episode of season 4 of Lucha Underground. Under the alias “The Savage” Jake Strong, he joined Infamous Inc. alongside Sammy Guevara and Big Bad Steve, battling the Trios Champions The Mack, Son of Havoc, and Killshot. After his squad was defeated, Strong attacked every member, including the manager of Infamous Inc, Famous B. Strong then began a feud with Drago and Aerostar, whom he defeated in singles battles and a handicapped Nunchaku match. On October 17, Strong won a 7-man battle royal by defeating A. R. Fox, and he also defeated Johnny Mundo that night. The next week, Strong won the Lucha Underground Gift of the Gods Championship in a seven-to-seven survive elimination match.
Strong cashed his Gift of the Gods Championship on Pentagon Dark, who had just defeated Marty Martinez to win the Lucha Underground Championship, on the final day of Ultima Lucha Cuatro, which was also the final episode of season 4 and proceeded to defeat Pentagon Dark to become the new Lucha Underground Champion. Lucha Underground was canceled following the season four finale, crowning Strong as the final Lucha Underground Champion.
On May 3, 2018, Hager made his Major League Wrestling debut against Jeff Cobb
On the first edition of Dynamite on October 2, 2019, Hager made his All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut, teaming up with Chris Jericho, Santana and Ortiz, and Sammy Guevara to knock out The Young Bucks, Cody, and Dusty Rhodes in the aftermath of the main event. He afterward created a new clique named The Inner Circle, commanded by Jericho, alongside Guevara, Santana, and Ortiz. On February 29, 2020, at Revolution, he made his AEW in-ring debut, defeating Dustin Rhodes.
Jon Moxley assaulted Hager following a bout with Chico Adams on the March 25, 2020 edition of Dynamite. In retaliation, Hager assaulted Moxley on the March 31, 2020, edition of AEW Dark. The rivalry culminated in an Empty Arena No Holds Barred match for the AEW World Championship on the April 15, 2020 episode of Dynamite, which Hager lost to Moxley, his first AEW loss.
The Inner Circle had a team meeting on the February 9, 2022 edition of AEW Dynamite, which concluded with Sammy Guevara tossing his vest and walking out. Later, it was revealed that Jericho and Hager would face Santana and Ortiz in a tag team bout the next week, dubbed the Inner Circle Implodes match. The Inner Circle was disbanded on the March 9, 2022, edition of Dynamite when Hager supported Jericho in attacking Santana and Ortiz and formed the Jericho Appreciation Society with Jericho, Daniel Garcia, and 2.0.
Beginning with the October 5 episode of Dynamite, Hager began wearing a purple bucket hat that Garcia had rejected as a gift from Jericho the week before and did not want to trash. The ridiculous gimmick grew popular with social media admirers, prompting Hager to formally embrace it as his character and assure everyone that he “liked this hat.” There were photos of Hager wearing the hat everywhere, including wrestling matches.
Amateur wrestling
Professional wrestling
Hager now resides in Tampa, Florida. In December 2010, he married Catalina White. The pair met in FCW, when White competed as Saylor James. They have two kids. You Don’t Know Jack: The Jake Hager Story, the first issue in Hager’s biographical comic book series, was released in March 2019 by publisher Squared Circle Comics.
According to The Sportster, Jake Hager’s net worth is expected to be around $3 Million.
