Former WWE and current AEW superstar Jake Hager, formerly known as Jack Swagger in WWE, has officially announced his retirement from the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). This decision comes after a career that saw Hager transition between the realms of professional wrestling and MMA, and his announcement has left fans wondering about the future of his wrestling career in AEW.
Hager’s MMA journey began with Bellator, where he made his debut in 2017. Over the course of his MMA career, he amassed a respectable record of 3 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw. His last MMA bout took place at Bellator 250 in October 2020, where he secured a victory against Brandon Calton.
Despite his success in both professional wrestling and MMA, Hager decided to put his MMA aspirations on hold and return to his wrestling roots. He expressed his intent to return to MMA in 2022, even having a fight scheduled for October of that year. However, it seems that the MMA world will no longer see Hager in action.
During a virtual signing event with K & S WrestleFest, Hager confirmed his retirement from MMA, citing frustrations with Bellator as the primary reason for his decision. He mentioned that despite his training efforts, Bellator didn’t provide him with the fight opportunities he sought, leading to his retirement from the sport.
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”Officially, I’m retired from MMA. I trained hard last year but Bellator was jerking me off and I retired and I am now just focusing on wrestling now.”
Now that Hager has officially closed the chapter on his MMA career, the spotlight turns back to his professional wrestling journey with AEW. Hager has been a consistent presence in AEW since the promotion’s inception, and his announcement raises questions about what AEW has in store for him next.
Fans and wrestling enthusiasts are eager to see how Hager’s full commitment to his wrestling career will impact his role within AEW. Whether it leads to championship opportunities, new rivalries, or a shift in character direction, Hager’s retirement from MMA marks a significant moment in his professional wrestling journey.
As the wrestling world continues to evolve, Jake Hager’s presence in AEW will undoubtedly play a role in the promotion’s ongoing narrative. Wrestling fans will be closely watching to see what’s next for the former MMA competitor as he focuses entirely on his wrestling career.
In the world of professional wrestling, surprises and unexpected twists are commonplace, and Jake Hager’s journey continues to be a story worth following. His decision to retire from MMA may just be the beginning of a new chapter in his wrestling career, and fans can anticipate more exciting developments in the future.
