WWE issues statement that Jack Swagger is still under WWE contract and will remain exclusively so at least 90 days after he is granted release (w/Keller’s Analysis)

WWE issued a statement regarding the status of Jack Swagger (real name: Donald “Jake” Hager Jr.):

“Jack Swagger has not been granted a release from his WWE contract.  When he is granted his release, Jack Swagger will remain under exclusive contract to WWE for 90 days and will be compensated accordingly during that period.”

Swagger had just been advertised for a March 11 World Association of Wrestling event in Norwich, England against Alberto Del Patron.

The statement indicates he will be granted his release, but without a timeline being specified, but also noted that for 90 days thereafter he is exclusively under WWE contract.

Keller’s Analysis: Although WWE wrestlers are classified as “independent contractors,” that generally doesn’t lead to wrestlers taking dates on their own outside of WWE while under contract. With Dutch Mantel showing up on Impact Wrestling TV last night touting he wanted to “Make Impact Wrestling great again,” perhaps WWE suspected Swagger was looking to make “an impact” and jump right away to Impact. Or perhaps they just consider Swagger under contract until the end of the year and have no interest in releasing him because they are considering utilizing him better. Swagger going public, though, while trying to negotiate his release from WWE might have backfired, if for no other reason than WWE not wanting the perception to be that wrestlers can go public with being frustrated with their push and asking for a release as a result and then being granted the release.

NOW CHECK OUT THIS RELATED STORY: INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS: Jack Swagger on why he’s leaving WWE, whether he plans to continue in pro wrestling or explore MMA