A former WWE World Heavyweight Champion has openly criticized Tony Khan, expressing disappointment in how the AEW President managed the promotion and its talent. The comments came following the wrestler’s exit from AEW in 2024, revealing concerns over Khan’s grasp of the wrestling business amid ongoing Tony Khan AEW criticism.
Jake Hager Voices Frustration Over Tony Khan’s Leadership in AEW
Jake Hager, who spent five years with the Jacksonville-based wrestling company before leaving on less than friendly terms, shared his unfiltered views on Khan’s ability to run AEW. During a recent episode of the podcast UnSKripted, Hager stated that Tony Khan’s experience was minimal and questioned his competence in crafting sustainable storylines for the promotion’s stars.
Hager highlighted Khan’s reliance on flashy debuts and big spending but doubted his capacity to create meaningful long-term narratives. He said,
“To get to the end of the career and to have someone like Tony Khan, he has been in this business for a cup of coffee and doesn’t really know, he can’t make himself a sandwich, let alone write a storyline that will last. He can spend a lot of money and make a big debut, make a lot of fireworks, but like, in the end run, he is in-charge and we are supposed to trust him to make storylines that make our careers that we are investing into his company last?” —Jake Hager, Former WWE Champion
Insights Into Jake Hager’s Wrestling Background and AEW Experience
Although Hager has enjoyed a successful wrestling career across North America, including winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, he revealed that he was not initially a fan of professional wrestling. On the same UnSKripted episode, Hager explained his early views about wrestling and his childhood perception.
He shared,
“I don’t wanna get too much heat for this but Dutch knows this. I was not a pro wrestling fan growing up. I was a wrestling guy since I was five years old. So, honestly, I didn’t understand the.. I didn’t understand the beauty. I didn’t understand the entertainment of it. Like I always thought like, I really thought it was real growing up.” —Jake Hager, Former WWE Champion
Despite his significant time with AEW and WWE, Hager has not indicated any intention to return to the ring, suggesting his AEW departure marks a turning point in his career.
The Impact of Hager’s Critique on AEW and Its Leadership
Hager’s remarks add to the growing Tony Khan AEW criticism from within the wrestling community, highlighting unease about the promotion’s creative direction and leadership. His doubts about Khan’s storytelling ability and overall management could influence how current and future talents view their commitment to AEW.
As AEW continues to evolve, leadership will need to address internal concerns to maintain credibility and retain its wrestling roster. The criticism from a former champion like Hager underscores the challenges Tony Khan faces in balancing business growth with the artistic and career needs of his performers.
