It was just over a year ago that Jack Swagger announced his departure from WWE after over a decade with the company. Since then Swagger has competed on the indie scene and signed with Bellator whom he expects to make his MMA debut with in 2018. Swagger appears to be enjoying the freedom of his pro wrestling career and he's one of many ex-WWE Superstars who is showing that their is life beyond the world's No. 1 sports entertainment company.

Swagger recently sat down with CBS Local Sports where he discussed a number of topics related to the above. But one of the most interesting things The All-American American said was that this current era of pro wrestling is as good as there has ever been. Swagger was born during the 1980s wrestling boon and was a teenager during the Attitude Era, but he believes this era stacks up with any.

"Yeah, absolutely," Swagger responded when asked if wrestling was on the incline. "I think this is a golden age. Not only is it popular, but I feel like pro wrestling has become accepted. It’s become cool. You see the shirt in the t-shirt shops, you know? It’s very hip to be a wrestler right now and it’s not associated with, 'oh, you’ve got to hide or you’re going to get made fun of because you like it,' type deal. I think because of that, you’re seeing these promotions do great business and continue to do great business. So, they’re being consistent in putting out a great product and a great show and the fans are realizing that this is a great place to go for entertainment and it just keeps going around and around."

via thebrawling.com

Swagger also believes that he being a part of this era of wrestling will help when he officially makes the crossover to mixed martial arts.

"I mean, this is one of the things that I’m exciting about for me crossing over into MMA is because I think people are going to be shocked to see how big of a following I have just because I’m a pro wrestler and I’m not even the most popular in pro wrestler, but I’m going to bring a large pro wrestling following over to the MMA side for it because it’s a great time right now."

Swagger weighed in on CM Punk's inglorious MMA debut and speculated that Punk was either not training that hard for it or he had an unspecified injury. Swagger's own MMA debut is tentatively set for the end of 2018 as he said he was out of shape after leaving WWE and needs the time to refocus on his body.

As for a potential return to WWE one day, Swagger said "Never say never" and that the future will take care of itself.

RELATED: JACK SWAGGER LEAVES BATISTA WITH NASTY BRUISE FROM MMA TRAINING [PHOTO]