Former WWE and AEW star Jake Hager made his in-ring return on June 27, 2026, at World Wrestling Council’s 53rd Anniversary event in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Facing John Hawking for the Caribbean Championship, the veteran delivered a hard-hitting performance highlighted by a thunderous slap that echoed his recent success in Power Slap. After announcing his wrestling retirement in 2025 to focus on his Florida trucking business, the former World Heavyweight Champion now appears open to select bookings.
Born Donald Jacob Hager Jr. in 1982, Hager built an impressive foundation as a decorated amateur wrestler at the University of Oklahoma before joining WWE in 2006. Performing as Jack Swagger until 2017, he captured the ECW Championship, United States Championship, and World Heavyweight Championship. Following an undefeated 3-0 run in Bellator MMA, he signed with AEW in 2019 as Jake Hager, where he thrived in Chris Jericho’s factions before departing at the conclusion of his contract.
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