Jake Hager, a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and an AEW roster member for several years, recently expressed strong dissatisfaction with Tony Khan, AEW’s co-founder and president, regarding his contract negotiations. Hager, who left AEW in May 2024, spoke candidly about his experience during a recent episode of INSIGHT with Christ Van Vliet, using explicit language to describe his feelings about Khan’s approach to his contract renewal.
Hager’s comments came shortly after his contract ended, following the second Blood and Guts event in Las Vegas, a significant AEW show featuring stars like Daniel Bryan and Cesaro. He revealed that the negotiation process was heavily one-sided and felt that Khan did not want him to continue with the company.
“It was right after the second Blood and Guts in Vegas with Daniel Bryan and Cesaro. My first contract with AEW was up, and after that, the negotiation process was very one-sided. I could tell he didn’t want me there. And I’ll say this every day, and everyone else should too: f**k Tony Khan.” —Jake Hager
Frustration Over Shortened Contract Offer
Hager also expressed frustration over the duration of the contract offer he received, which was for only 18 months. Considering his involvement in some of AEW’s landmark matches, including two Stadium Stampede events and the debut episode of Dynamite, he found the offer disappointing and undervaluing his contribution to the promotion’s success.
“He offered me a year and a half. I was like, bro, I did Stadium Stampede twice—don’t act like Stampede didn’t put AEW on the map. I was in the debut episode, I was the big spoiler, and you offer me 18 months after all that?” —Jake Hager
Jake Hager Announces Retirement from Wrestling
Since leaving AEW, Hager has wrestled only a few matches and recently announced his retirement from professional wrestling, marking the end of a 19-year career that began in 2006. He confirmed this decision during his appearance on INSIGHT, emphasizing his shift in focus to managing his trucking and logistics company.
Hager’s departure closes the chapter on a wrestling career that spanned multiple promotions, including WWE and AEW, where he held several titles but never captured gold under Tony Khan’s promotion.
Implications of the Dispute and What Lies Ahead
Hager’s public criticism of Tony Khan highlights potential tensions within AEW’s roster, especially involving contracts and creative direction. His remarks may prompt further scrutiny of how AEW manages negotiations with its established talents. As Hager steps away from wrestling, the promotion will continue to navigate contracts with top stars to maintain its competitive edge in the wrestling industry.
