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Jake Hager Relishes His Chance to Shine in AEW After Feeling ‘Lost’ in WWE

Posted: Oct 25th 2019 By: Justin Barasso

Jake Hager emerged as the first big surprise for All Elite Wrestling on Dynamite, debuting at the end of the TNT television premiere and, like Lex Luger on WCW’s Nitro, forever etched his name into AEW lore.

Once a key piece of WWE, Hager—who rose to prominence as Jack Swagger—wrestled for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 29 in 2013. But he soon fell out of the world title picture, then dropped entirely from WWE’s future plans. Hager requested his release from WWE, and was granted it with little fanfare in March 2017.

Hager spent the last two years working tirelessly to re-establish himself as a star, working the indies, making appearances for Major League Wrestling, and even debuting on the most recent season of Lucha Underground. But he could never gain any traction in pro wrestling until his surprise debut in AEW.

“I’ve worked very hard to get back to this point,” said Hager. “It took time for it to pay off, but I feel so vindicated that I left that job and bet on myself.”

AEW is all in on Hager, which includes supporting his mixed martial arts career in Bellator. Hager (2–0) looks to remain undefeated this Friday night at Bellator 231 when he fights heavyweight Anthony Garrett (4–2).

“[AEW owner] Tony Khan wants me to keep fighting and keep winning,” said Hager, whose fight this Friday will air on the Paramount Network. “As a fighter, I’m not one of those people that wants to prove I can go out and throw strikes. I’ve heard that I’m a wrestler and not a real fighter, but I have nothing to prove to anybody. All I want to do is go out there and win. That’s all that is important to me. Winning is a statement, and the rest will take care of itself.”

Hager made an emphatic statement following his most recent Bellator victory in May, when he announced to the crowd at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., that he was “rock-hard with emotion.” He promised that his upcoming victory speech will be just as memorable.

“That is 15 seconds of free advertising, and I’m able to say whatever I want,” said Hager. “To me, that’s just as important as being able to throw punches. So am I going to be rock-hard with emotion again after the fight? Most likely.”

Hager can return to in-ring pro wrestling matches following the fight, and he is currently scheduled to be part of AEW’s “Full Gear” pay-per-view card on Nov. 9. Since Hager is serving as the muscle in Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle faction, he will play an integral role in the storyline moving forward.
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“The development of the Inner Circle is a very cool factor,” said Hager. “We know this is big and we’re getting hot, but it’s still so young. We have a level of mystique about us, and there are so many directions we can go. All my focus is building upon that and giving the fans a different taste, something that is more raw emotion and less overproduced.

“When that means me getting in the ring, I’ll be ready. I want to go singles with Rey Fenix, Penta, singles with the Bucks, Kenny, PAC, Moxley and Hangman. Those could all be month-long feuds, they’re all such fresh matchups for me.”

Hager believes Jericho’s body of work in wrestling ranks among the all-time greats.

“Chris Jericho is on the Mount Rushmore of professional wrestling,” said Hager. “He is AEW’s biggest asset. Chris is so good, especially with his timing, that he makes everyone raise their game. I also admire that he’s not afraid to take risks and say, ‘F--- it, let’s do this.’”

Hager noted that, following a disappointing end with WWE, he feels reinvigorated knowing he still adds value to the pro wrestling business.

“I was lost in the mix there [in WWE],” said Hager. “When I look now at guys like Cesaro, guys like Bobby Lashley, they’re just lost. When I look at them, that whole cloud of doom comes right back over me. I’m so glad I’m not in that. It’s something you deal with within big companies, but it’s also about how they treat their talent. They know exactly what they’re doing, and I hate to say it, but it’s on purpose.

“They want you lost in there so they can control you. They don’t control me anymore. Now, I’m finally being portrayed in the way I always should have.”

Hager now plays a starring role for Bellator and AEW, and looks to further establish his dominance with a win in the cage on Friday night.

“This journey keeps on getting better and better, and it’s going to continue this Friday night,” said Hager. “There is a feeling building in that AEW locker room that we are part of professional wrestling history, and I also have the chance to train and compete in Bellator. Plus, I can be with my wife and kids throughout the week.

“This is what I always dreamed about. Now that it’s here, I’m coming out on Friday to make a huge statement and win.”