Over the years a number of wrestlers have come and gone from WWE, and back in 2017 former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jake Hager finished up his run with the company. Hager went on to wrestle on the independent circuit and compete in MMA until he signed with All Elite Wrestling in 2019, but his AEW contract expired in 2024.
It appears that Jake Hager may be done with professional wrestling altogether, as he recently stated on Saraya’s Rulebreakers podcast that he’s retired and currently focused on running his trucking company.
“I’m getting out of wrestling. I’m pretty much — I could say I’m retired from it. I started a trucking company, running routes through Tampa and Florida. I’m not driving, not me, I got people driving. I’m excited, something to sink my teeth into.”
Jake Hager last wrestled for AEW when he was defeated by Roderick Strong on the 2/12/24 episode of AEW Rampage. Following his departure he went on to return to the independent scene. Hager has not stepped into the ring since he was defeated by Connor Millis at the BZW Alcatraz event on 11/12/24.
Hager first signed with WWE in 2006 and went on to use the name Jack Swagger. Throughout his run with the company he managed to capture numerous titles including the ECW World Championship, WWE United States Championship and WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He is also a former Money in the Bank winner.