Tag: Jake Hager

Jake Hager Reportedly Done With AEW, Mark Henry’s Status

Another name is reportedly gone from AEW after his contract recently expired. 

According to Bodyslam.net’s Cassidy Haynes, Jake Hager did not re-sign with Tony Khan’s company. Haynes reported that the decision was mutual between Hager and AEW and the former Jack Swagger is now a free agent.

The 42 year old’s last match with the company was on the February 21 episode of “AEW Rampage,” where he was defeated by Roderick Strong. He was last featured on “AEW Dynamite” at the end of December in 2023 when he teamed with The Gunns and Matt Menard in a losing effort against Billy Gunn, The Acclaimed, and Scott Taylor. He signed with AEW in 2019 and made his debut with the company on October 2 as a member of Chris Jericho’s inner circle. He didn’t make his in-ring debut until Revolution the following February. As Haynes reported, Hager hadn’t been used much on AEW programming since the breakup of the Jericho Appreciation Society, where he was a member alongside Jericho, Daniel Garcia, Angelo Parker, Menard, Sammy Guevara, Tay Melo, and Anna Jay.

Prior to his run with AEW, Hager was known as Swagger in the company’s competition from 2006 to 2017. He debuted with WWE on the revamped ECW brand and won his first title from Matt Hardy in January 2009. “The Real American” was released from the company in March 2017 after requesting to be let go.

AEW’s Mark Henry also recently revealed his contract expired and he had not re-signed as well. Henry explained on “Busted Open Radio” that the decision was mutual and he would be taking more time to handle his brands. Henry worked for AEW as an announcer, coach, and scout.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Some AEW Inner Circle Members To Be In Attendance For Jake Hager’s Fight At Bellator 231

Bellator 231 takes place tonight where Jake Hager (2-0) will take on Anthony Garrett. In AEW, Hager is a member of the stable, Inner Circle, which also consists of AEW World Champion Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Santana, and Ortiz.

According to Marc Raimondi of ESPN, Guevara, Santana, and Ortiz will be in attendance for the fight and then get in the cage for a post-fight photo op.

Hager recently spoke to Wrestling Inc.’s Dan Yanofsky about being able to work for both Bellator and AEW at the same time.

“Honestly, it was such a breath of fresh air. Both of those guys were so willing to work with me,” Hager stated. “AEW loves what I’m doing with Bellator and Bellator loves what I’m doing with AEW. I don’t think 10 years ago you would see that happen where an MMA fighter would go work on a pro wrestling TV show right in the middle of camp.

“For Scott and Tony to be willing to work with each other and understand that this is something really cool and cross-promote, among other things, the sky’s the limit. I feel like that’s the mindset with it. Entertainment is a big part of MMA and it is unique.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jake Hager (Jack Swagger) Makes AEW Debut, Moxley Puts Omega Through Glass Table

Jake Hager (Ex-WWE Superstar Jack Swagger) made a surprise appearance during the climax of All Elite Wrestling’s TNT debut.

It all went down after the main event of All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite, which was won by the team of Chris Jericho, Santana and Ortiz over the team of Kenny Omeg and The Young Bucks, after interference from a returning Jon Moxley — who took out his Full Gear opponent Kenny Omega. Moxley put himself and Omega through a glass coffee table with a DDT. You can see a video of it below.

Hager appeared in the ring during a post-match brawl and appeared to align himself with AEW Champion Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Santana and Ortiz.