Jake Hager, who wrestled in WWE as Jack Swagger, has publicly clarified a long-running backstage rumor about his 2010 Money in the Bank cash-in. Hager says the original plan was for him to cash in on then-WWE Champion John Cena, but Cena allegedly vetoed the idea at the last minute, leading to a revised storyline.
Hager outlined the shift on a recent episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet. He recalled that the plan was for Swagger to defeat Cena on Raw and win the title outright, “but… Cena absolutely refused to do it.” As a result, Swagger’s Money in the Bank contract was cashed in a few days later on SmackDown, where he defeated Chris Jericho to capture the World Heavyweight Championship on March 30, 2010.
The former wrestling star also suggested Cena wasn’t unwilling to lose to others during that era, noting that Cena’s approach extended beyond his own title runs. Hager pointed to Cena’s more recent actions, mentioning how Cena has helped elevate talent like R-Truth during his farewell tour, a contrast to the earlier periods he described.
Beyond the ring, Hager has since stepped away from professional wrestling and launched a trucking company in Florida, marking a new chapter after a career that included a World Heavyweight Championship reign.
Key context from the interview:
– Original plan: Swagger would cash in on Cena to win the title on Raw.
– Actual outcome: Swagger used Money in the Bank to beat Jericho for the World Heavyweight Championship on SmackDown, March 30, 2010.
– Cena’s stance: Acknowledged by Hager as a veto on dropping the title to Swagger.
– Broader note: Hager suggests Cena’s willingness to elevate other talent has varied over time, including recent support for R-Truth.
– Aftermath: Hager later retired from wrestling and started a trucking business in Florida.
Why this matters for fans and the broader storytelling landscape:
– It highlights how backstage decisions can dramatically alter a championship trajectory and a performer’s career arc.
– It adds nuance to John Cena’s legacy, illustrating that even top stars can influence title plans and the direction of rivalries.
– It underscores WWE’s tendency to adjust plans on the fly, sometimes reshaping outcomes based on the perceived readiness of both performers and the audience.
A brief takeaway: The episode adds another layer to the tale of Swagger’s rise and Cena’s star power, while also illustrating how stars transition to new ventures—like Hager’s move into entrepreneurship after wrestling. If you’re tracking how close Swagger came to a different title moment, this account provides a firsthand glimpse of the behind-the-scenes dynamics that steer major storylines.