WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently shared his perspective on the ongoing Tony Khan Jake Hager controversy, which centers on claims made by Hager against AEW’s president, Tony Khan. The dispute emerged after Hager expressed dissatisfaction with how he felt he was treated during the latter part of his tenure with AEW.
Jake Hager, a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, publicly criticized Khan regarding his experience at AEW, highlighting several grievances related to Khan’s decisions. While the accuracy of Hager’s claims remains uncertain, Jim Ross described the situation as one fueled by accumulated frustration rather than ill intent.
In a recent episode of his Grilling JR podcast, Ross emphasized that Hager’s feelings stemmed from pent-up emotions and urged him to move past the negativity and concentrate on other aspects of his life.
“He’s got a lot of pent-up frustration. Quite honestly, he’s not a bad person. Jake is not a bad person whatsoever, but he’s very frustrated, or was very frustrated. Hopefully, he’s got that past him and he’s going to focus more of his creative energy to his trucking company.” —Jim Ross, WWE Hall of Famer
Jim Cornette’s View on the Contract Dispute Between Hager and Khan
Jake Hager disclosed that, following the conclusion of his initial AEW contract, Tony Khan offered him an 18-month extension, which he found unsatisfactory and rejected. This contract disagreement has played a significant role in the controversy surrounding their relationship.
Jim Cornette, a wrestling veteran and podcaster, discussed the matter during an episode of his Drive-Thru podcast, siding with Khan’s decision. Despite his general criticism of AEW and its management, Cornette expressed understanding from a business standpoint, questioning Hager’s value on the promotion’s roster.
Cornette suggested that if he were in Khan’s position, he might have declined to offer any contract renewal at all, implying that Hager’s role in AEW didn’t justify an extended deal.
“And if, with the product that I was seeing on-screen, Jake Hager should have been happy that a billionaire wanted to offer him a contract for 18 months, because I would have said, ‘Okay, we’ll see you later,’ ’cause I’m wasting money. There’s nothing here. So, if Tony offered him anything, I’m on Tony’s side on that, because my response would have been, ‘Why the f*** are you on this roster?’ but that’s just me.” —Jim Cornette, Wrestling Veteran
Implications of the Ongoing Dispute for AEW and Jake Hager
Since leaving AEW, Jake Hager has maintained a critical stance toward Tony Khan and the way his situation was handled. These public grievances suggest lingering dissatisfaction that may influence his career and reputation in wrestling circles.
Although Hager has hinted at possible retirement, the degree to which these tensions will subside remains uncertain. Jim Ross’s hope that Hager can move beyond the frustrating chapter to focus on his trucking business signals a desire for closure, but the dispute has highlighted challenges in talent management within AEW.
As the relationship between AEW leadership and former performers like Hager continues to be scrutinized, the wrestling community awaits how both parties will proceed, especially considering the involvement of prominent figures such as Tony Khan, Jim Ross, and Jim Cornette.
