SmackDown Star Asks For Release From WWE

If your reaction is “wait, since when was he on SmackDown?” you are not alone. And it seems that’s exactly the nature of his complaint. It seems Jack Swagger is looking to get out of WWE.

He made the announcement in a podcast appearance on Beyond the Fight with Chael Sonnen today, and the transcript of his comments comes via Wrestling Observer.

“As of yesterday, Chael, I asked for my release from WWE. It’s still kind of an ongoing process right now. Basically, it came down to contract negotiations and we were way off. They didn’t value me at what I thought I was valued at. So, you can be angry about it because wrestling is something that you get so passionate about, but this was a business decision. They weren’t giving me the opportunity to make the full amount of income I could for my family, so when you put it like that it’s time to go.”

Swagger found frustration with his booking and lack of direction, and suggested that two people are ultimately the ones making decisions, sometimes regardless of where the crowd’s enthusiasm is at.

He wants to pursue wrestling in other venues, including Mexico, the UK, and Japan, and is also open to the possibility of pursuing MMA if the right offer comes along.

WWE Superstar @realjackswagger granted release from WWE

The brand split saw Swagger drafted to Raw, but he switched to SmackDown shortly after and faced Baron Corbin in a brief feud that he eventually lost. His last televised appearance was a November episode of Main Event, but he’s been in regular rotation on the house show circuit.

Do you think Swagger deserved more than his recent WWE run would suggest? Do you think he’s right to seek other opportunities? Let us know in the comments below, or on Facebook!