Luke Harper’s WWE Contract, Jack Swagger’s Next MMA Fight

Luke Harper’s Return Doesn’t Mean He’s Set For Long WWE Run

Despite surprising fans with his return at Clash of Champions, Luke Harper still does not appear to be ready to commit to an extended run with the WWE.

According to a report by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Harper’s attempt to obtain his release remains his focus. However, injuries forced six more months to be placed on his current WWE contract to make up for time missed from television and house shows.

Even though his contract is set to expire soon and he has given to indication of resigning with the WWE, officials still placed Harper in one of the bigger storylines right now on SmackDown with the program set to head over to FOX beginning in October.

The 39-year-old made a surprise return earlier this month when he attacked Roman Reigns to assist former tag team partner Erick Rowan at Clash of Champions. Two days later, Harper ambushed former WWE champion Daniel Bryan before helping Rowan take out Reigns once more.

Over his career, Harper has held the NXT tag team title with Rowan, the WWE Intercontinental championship and the SmackDown tag team titles twice with Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton, along with Rowan.

Jack Swagger Returns To Bellator In October

Jake Hager, who rose to the top of the WWE as Jack Swagger, will compete at Bellator 231 against fellow heavyweight Anthony Garrett.

According to ESPN, the Hager-Garrett bout will be part of the Paramount Network main card from the Mohegan Sun on October 25. The card features a main event between Frank Mir and Roy Nelson.

Hager, a 37-year-old former All-American wrestler at Oklahoma and football player, has won both of his MMA bouts inside the Bellator cage. Each of his first two appearances have resulted in first round finishes, including a victory over T.J. Jones this past May.

In January, Hager made his professional mixed martial arts debut with an arm-triangle submission at Bellator 214 vs. J.W. Kiser. He signed his contract with Bellator in late 2017, a few months after competing for the WWE.

Hager made his last appearance for the WWE in 2017, requesting his release after a feud with Baron Corbin ended in back-to-back losses. He is a former ECW champion, WWE Heavyweight champion, United State champion and winner of the 2010 Money in the Bank. Hager also helped Team SmackDown with Big Show, Rey Mysterio, Alberto Del Rio, Edge, Tyler Reks and Kofi Kingston claim the Bragging Rights Trophy that same year.