Jake Hager has publicly expressed strong grievances against Tony Khan regarding his treatment in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), stirring unexpected reactions across the wrestling community. His comments, which surfaced most notably in November through a social media outburst, accused Khan of suppressing his political views and went as far as labeling Khan a communist. These serious Tony Khan Jake Hager accusations have created a tense atmosphere around the AEW star’s recent departure and ongoing frustrations.
Hager’s confrontational stance has continued in recent interviews, where he reaffirmed his dissatisfaction with the promotion’s leadership. This shift surprised many, including wrestling veterans who knew Hager before these events unfolded.
WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long reflects on working with Jake Hager
During a recent episode of Wrestling Time Machine, WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long joined Bill Apter and Mac Davis to deliberate on this turmoil involving Jake Hager and Tony Khan. Long, recalling his own past experiences working alongside Hager, revealed his astonishment at the wrestler’s harsh statements against Khan, as he had never encountered any attitude problems.
Long suggested that neither party might be entirely to blame, describing the complexities of professional wrestling as a business where conflicts sometimes arise unexpectedly.
“Well, like I said, man, I had a chance to work with Jake and I never seen him, you know, bad attitude and nothing, no problems at all. So, this was kind of shocking to me, so you know, like I said, that does happen in this business. So maybe you know, he’s on the wrong end of the stick. So, God bless him; I hope everything works out for him. But you know, this is the wrestling business. That’s all I can say to you, Jake.” [3:15-3:40] —Teddy Long, WWE Hall of Famer
Long’s insight highlights the uncertainty surrounding the conflict and underscores how challenging the wrestling environment can be for all involved parties, especially when personal and professional lines blur.
Jake Hager expresses regrets about his wrestling career and MMA past
In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Jake Hager opened up about his wrestling journey and career decisions, especially his time in AEW. After spending over a decade in WWE and a brief stint on the independent circuit, he eventually joined Tony Khan’s AEW promotion. Hager also had a background as a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter before fully committing to wrestling.
Reflecting on his experiences, Hager admitted feeling conflicted and somewhat disillusioned with how things ended in AEW, suggesting that he might have been better off continuing his MMA career instead of switching to professional wrestling full-time.
“I’m very jaded from my exit at AEW. Like, I’m very proud of the stuff I did there, but like at the same time like I find myself questioning right now. Like, I wish I would have just stayed in MMA at some point,” Jake said. —Jake Hager
Though Hager had moments of success in both WWE and AEW, his overall runs were marked by inconsistencies and unmet expectations. Despite the frustrations, he still holds a place in wrestling history through his contributions to the sport.
Understanding the implications of these accusations in professional wrestling
The clash between Jake Hager and Tony Khan highlights ongoing tensions that can surface in the wrestling industry when personal views and management decisions collide. Hager’s accusations against Khan represent a rare public airing of grievances that could impact how wrestling promotions handle internal communication and talent relations moving forward.
As this situation develops, industry watchers and fans alike are keen to see whether any resolution will be reached or if these discordant voices will continue to shape the narrative around AEW and Hager’s legacy. The controversy reminds fans that behind scripted performances, real emotions and conflicts often influence the business side of wrestling.
