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Jake Hager returning to pro wrestling for WWC’s anniversary show

Posted: May 11th 2026 By: Bryan Rose

Jake Hager is returning to pro wrestling.

WWC in Puerto Rico announced on Sunday that the former World Heavyweight Champion would be making an appearance on their 53rd Anniversario show on June 26 in San Juan. This marks his first pro wrestling match since the end of 2024.

Hager is best known for his run in WWE under the name Jack Swagger, where he held the World Heavyweight title at one point before departing the company in 2017. He made appearances during the fourth season of Lucha Underground before jumping to AEW in 2019, where he was mostly associated with Chris Jericho and his various stables early in AEW’s run. Once that group disbanded, Hager was used sparingly before leaving in 2024.
Tony Khan drama & Power Slap debut

In interviews since his departure, Hager has been critical of Tony Khan, saying AEW’s president “can’t make himself a sandwich, let alone write a storyline that will [last]” and said AEW changed when Cody Rhodes left for WWE in 2022.

Last month Hager made his Power Slap debut and won his debut match that took place during WrestleMania 42 weekend.