WWE superstars react to former champion Jake Hager's MMA debut

Jake Hager, formerly known as WWE world heavyweight champion Jack Swagger, joined the likes of Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley with a victorious switch to the sport of MMA this weekend.

It took the 2006 All-American just 2:09 to dispatch of unheralded heavyweight J.W. Kiser at Bellator 214, Hager using his amateur wrestling skills to quickly take down and submit his now 1-2 opponent with an arm-triangle choke.

The current Lucha Underground champion, training out of fellow crossover star Dave Bautista’s MMA gym, looked comfortable inside the Inglewood, CA cage, putting on a clinical performance against an admittedly unremarkable opponent.

Regaining legitimacy for pro wrestling

Hager’s victory went some way to erase memories of former pro wrestler CM Punk’s unsuccessful tenure in the UFC, while providing little in the way of insight into his potential to succeed in the sport.

Intriguingly, Hager was not ashamed to play up his WWE past in promoting the contest. While his former ring name of Jack Swagger was off limits, being trademarked by his former promotion, Hager maintained his pro wrestling persona prior to and following the bout, playing up to his ultra-patriotic “We the People” gimmick.

He also secured the services of currently contracted WWE superstar and occasional rapper R-Truth to perform his ring entrance live, while claiming to have spoken to WWE boss Vince McMahon prior to his debut.

Hager’s debut served as a featured bout on the Fedor Emelianenko vs Ryan Bader-headlined card. The main event, the final of the promotion’s heavyweight grand prix, saw Bader remove the Last Emperor from consciousness after just 30 seconds to secure the Bellator world heavyweight title.

WWE superstars congratulate former champion

Hager competed in pro wrestling’s premier organisation in a career spanning a decade, originally being signed to a development contract in 2006, going on to win several championships after being called up to the main roster in 2008. He was released from the company in 2017.

Following Hager’s victory, a number of his former WWE colleagues took to Twitter to congratulate the 36-year-old on his performance:

Congratulations to my friend, @RealJackSwagger on your win last night in @BellatorMMA …but I'll still never forgive you for helping @MichaelCole get a bogus victory at @WWE WrestleMania 27! pic.twitter.com/UX8YoITVZE

— Jerry Lawler (@JerryLawler) January 27, 2019

Congratulations to @RealJackSwagger on his successful @BellatorMMA debut! #Bellator214 https://t.co/agpQHNzLql

— WWE (@WWE) January 27, 2019

There’s no one, and I mean NO ONE cooler than @RonKillings … and congrats @RealJackSwagger 🙌🙌 https://t.co/m0lr4qjcIO

— Nattie (@NatbyNature) January 27, 2019

Congratulations @RealJackSwagger 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 https://t.co/3B5qc7VFji

— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) January 27, 2019

Congrats to my brizz @RealJackSwagger on his victory tonight!!! Proud of this guy!!! pic.twitter.com/jbR2GG8Apm

— Epico (@WWEEpico) January 27, 2019

#bighoss @RealJackSwagger

— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) January 27, 2019

Hell yes @RealJackSwagger !!!!! 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 @BellatorMMA @DAZN_USA

— Renee Young (@ReneeYoungWWE) January 27, 2019

Everyone huddled around a tiny iPad to watch @RealJackSwagger win his debut was a great sight!! Way to go 👊 👊

— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) January 27, 2019

Congrats @RealJackSwagger Now that was #Awesome #WeThePeople

— The Miz (@mikethemiz) January 27, 2019

killer debut @RealJackSwagger
way to dominate #Bellator214
(especially after having to follow @RonKillings crushing it) 🤘🏽🤘🏽

— Nic Nemeth (@HEELZiggler) January 27, 2019