Jake Hager has made headlines in recent months for his appearances with UFC president Dana White’s Power Slap promotion, but he has now revealed that he is planning a return to pro wrestling.
After emerging as a collegiate All-American, Hager became a star in the WWE under the name Jack Swagger, even winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. After he was granted his release from the company in 2017, Hager competed for independent wrestling promotions until he signed with AEW in 2019.
Though he
was involved in some high-profile angles during his time in AEW, he left the promotion in 2024 and has since publicly disparaged AEW president/CEO Tony Khan.
Last year, he spoke to Saraya (aka Paige) on her podcast and said he was retired from wrestling. At the time, Hager said his focus would be on running his trucking company, though he later signed with Power Slap, where he recently suffered his first loss via knockout against fellow former pro wrestler Amanpreet Singh.
Hager did wrestle in Puerto Rico last month for WWC’s 53rd anniversary show, though the appearance seemed like it might be a one-off. However, Hager now appears to be set for a full in-ring return.
During an interview on the Off the Rails podcast that streamed on July 20, he told host Jasmine St. Claire that he’s “definitely getting back into pro wrestling.”
If you’re wondering where his return might be, you can cross WWE, MLW, and TNA off the list. Hager said he’s been in talks with Juggalo Championship Wrestling.
“I’ve definitely been talking with the guys at JCW and trying to lock down some dates coming up here,” he told St. Claire. “I know they have some big ones coming up. I’d love to be a part of it. I think they’re a very good promotion that is really on the up and up.”
JCW was, of course, founded by the Insane Clown Posse, and the former Jack Swagger confessed being a fan (aka “Juggalo”) of the hip-hop duo during his youth.
“Deep down, 13-year-old Jake was a Juggalo,” Hager said, adding, “Don’t tell anybody.”
He went on to say that he still has his trucking company as well as owns rental property, noting that he thinks “everybody needs multiple streams of income.”
One of those streams for Hager appears to be competing in a ring.
“I am definitely getting back into pro wrestling,” he said to St. Claire. “Hopefully, I’ll be at JCW soon.”
What do you think, Cagesiders? Would you want to see Hager in JCW? How about a return to WWE? Let us know in the comments.
