Jake Hager Retires from Wrestling: Former WWE Superstar Jack Swagger Hangs Up Boots

Hager revealed, while talking to Saraya — former WWE Superstar Paige — that he was going to hang up his boots and start a trucking business. If he’s truthful about his retirement, the last match Hager had, according to Cagematch.net, was on November 2, 2024, at a Banger Zone Wrestling’s Alcatraz event in France. Hager lost to 26-year-old indie wrestler Connor Mills. He said:

“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.” (H/T: Fightful)

Hager spent the last days of his career working at some indie events and All Elite Wrestling. Hager was with the Tony Khan-run company from 2019 until his contract expired in May 2024. During his time at AEW, he was best known for being part of two of Chris Jericho’s stables — Inner Circle and The Jericho Appreciation Society. His last match with the company was a loss to Roderick Strong on AEW Rampage in February 2024.

A Brief Look Back At Jake Hager’s WWE Career

One can’t forget his career in WWE as Jack Swagger. Hager made his WWE debut on the September 9, 2008, episode of WWE’s ECW. The All-American American won his debut match against enhancement talent Josh Daniels. It wouldn’t take too long before Hager would win his first title, the ECW Heavyweight Championship. He held the title from January 2009 to April 2009.

A year later, in 2010, Hager would hit it big, and ironically, it involved Jericho. Hager defeated Jericho on the March 30, 2010, episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown to become the then-new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. His reign lasted until June 20, 2010, when Rey Mysterio won the title in a Fatal Four Way that also included CM Punk and The Big Show. This would be the only time he would hold the title.

His other title that he won in WWE was the United States Championship in 2012. He was also known for his “We the People” persona with Zeb Colter. Colter and Hager would be in a notable feud with Rusev. Hager's WWE career would end in March 2017. Hager also had an MMA career with Bellator until retiring from the sport in 2023. So good luck to Jake Hager in his future endeavors.