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Jake Hager wins Media Man Cross-over Athlete Of The Month

Donald Jacob Hager Jr. (born March 24, 1982) is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Jake Hager, where he is a member of the Jericho Appreciation Society stable. Hager is also known for his time in WWE under the ring name Jack Swagger. As a mixed martial artist, he is currently signed to Bellator MMA where he competes in the heavyweight division.

Hager attended the University of Oklahoma as a two-sport athlete, participating in both football and wrestling. He switched to wrestling full-time in his sophomore year, and in 2006, set the record for most pins in a season with 30 as an All-American. Following a try-out, Hager signed a WWE contract in mid 2006 where he performed as "Jack Swagger". During his time with WWE, he became a two-time world champion, having held the WWE's World Heavyweight Championship and the ECW Championship once each and a one-time United States Champion. He left the company in 2017 after he decided to pursue a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career.

In 2017, Hager signed with Bellator MMA. He had his first professional fight on January 26, 2019 against J.W. Kiser at Bellator 214, where he won via arm-triangle choke in the first round. In his second fight with the promotion, he faced T.J. Jones on May 11, 2019 at Bellator 221, where he again won via arm-triangle choke in the first round. He is currently undefeated with a record of 3–0 (1). As a wrestler, he kept working with various promotions before signing with AEW in 2019, including in Lucha Underground as Jake Strong, where he was the final Lucha Underground Champion. (Wikipedia)

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"That would be wild" - Top AEW champion on a potential match-up against Paige VanZant - 23 Jul 2022

"That would be wild" - Top AEW champion on a potential match-up against Paige VanZant
(SportsKeeda)

Current AEW Women's Champion Thunder Rosa is open to the idea of a potential collision with Paige VanZant in a different series of matches.

Rosa last defended her title at Forbidden Door against Toni Storm. After defeating Storm, she teamed up with the latter for the first time last week on Dynamite to take on Marina Shafir and Nyla Rose.

Meanwhile, VanZant made her AEW in-ring debut at Double or Nothing in a mixed trios tag match along with Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page. They were victorious against Tay Conti, Sammy Guevara, and Frankie Kazarian.

Speaking to the Miami Herald's Jim Varsallone, La Mera Mera revealed that she welcomed PVZ after the latter's signing. When asked about a possible series of boxing, wrestling and MMA fights against VanZant, Rosa claimed that she would be more than ready if All Elite Wrestling was down for it.

"That [a match against Paige VanZant] would be wild. I don't say no to nothing, so if AEW wants to do it, go ahead. I'll ask Combate Global, 'give me a t-shirt' and do some co-promoting," Rosa said. [H/T Fightful]

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AEW Star Jake Hager To Make MMA Return At Bellator 250 - 19th October 2020

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AEW star Jake Hager is set to make his MMA return later this month.

Hager is scheduled to face fellow undefeated heavyweight Brandon Calton at Bellator 250 on Thursday, October 29 from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, according to MMAJunkie.

This will be Hager's 4th professional MMA fight. He currently has a MMA record of 2 wins, 0 losses and 1 no contest. His last fight came on October 25, 2019 at Bellator 231, a NC fight with Anthony Garrett. That fight ended after an inadvertent groin strike from Hager. Calton has a MMA record of 2 wins and 0 losses.

Bellator 250 will air on the CBS Sports Network after the prelims air on CBSSports.com. The Hager vs. Calton fight will air as a part of the preliminary card.

(WrestlingINC)