Biography(references)He was the second-string defensive tackle behind eventual National Football League players Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek. During his junior year, he was introduced to Jim Ross, who was World Wrestling Entertainment 's Head of Talent Relations at the time, through former OU defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, Hager's close friend and college roommate. As a senior in 2006, Hager had a seventh-place finish in the NCAA championships and also defeated the future national champion, Dustin Fox from Northwestern University. Following his graduation, he was going to work with a firm in Dallas, Texas, but signed with WWE after they offered a contract the day he was scheduled to start.
Fighter Trivia(references)On February 19, 2013, Hager was arrested in Gulfport, Mississippi, after a SmackDown taping. Hager was released from custody after the arrest and was ordered to appear in court on March 12, 2013. The marijuana charge was dismissed after he was fined $500, and sentenced to six months probation with his two-day jail sentence being suspended.
Awards & Accolades
National Collegiate Athletic Association: University of Oklahoma single-season record for most pins in the 285 pounds (129 kg) weight class (30)
National Collegiate Athletic Association: 2006 Collegiate All-American
5 Star Wrestling: 5 Star Wrestling Championship (1 time)
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite Award (2 times). "Bleacher Report PPV Moment of the Year" (2021) – Stadium Stampede match (The Elite vs. The Inner Circle) – Double or Nothing (May 23). "Biggest Beatdown" (2021) – The Inner Circle jumping Orange Cassidy – Dynamite (June 10)
All Elite Wrestling: "Bleacher Report PPV Moment of the Year" (2021) – Stadium Stampede match (The Elite vs. The Inner Circle) – Double or Nothing (May 23)
All Elite Wrestling: "Biggest Beatdown" (2021) – The Inner Circle jumping Orange Cassidy – Dynamite (June 10)
All Elite Wrestling: "Bleacher Report PPV Moment of the Year" (2021) – Stadium Stampede match (The Elite vs. The Inner Circle) – Double or Nothing (May 23)
All Elite Wrestling: "Biggest Beatdown" (2021) – The Inner Circle jumping Orange Cassidy – Dynamite (June 10)
All Star Wrestling: All Star Wrestling Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
The Baltimore Sun: Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (2010)
Pro Wrestling Illustrated: Faction of the Year (2021) – with The Inner Circle
Pro Wrestling Illustrated: Ranked No. 18 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2009
World Class Revolution: WCR Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE: ECW Championship (1 time)
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE: World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE: WWE United States Championship (1 time)
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE: Money in the Bank (2010)
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE: Bragging Rights Trophy (2010) – with Team SmackDown (Big Show, Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Alberto Del Rio, Edge and Tyler Reks)
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