Former AEW star Jake Hager set for a Hall of Fame induction

Former AEW star Jake Hager (FKA Jack Swagger) is set to achieve a personal milestone after spending almost two decades in the wrestling industry. This would be an induction into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame.

Hager began his wrestling career in 2006 with WWE. He would go on to have three different title reigns and a Money in the Bank win, which he would successfully convert to a world title. He ended up leaving in 2017 and signing with AEW two years later. His run with the Tony Khan-led promotion lasted until May of this year.

It has just been announced that Jake Hager will be inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Iowa. They then gave a quick rundown of his accomplishments in the industry that warranted such a distinction.

An excerpt from the announcement can be seen below.

"During his tenure with WWE, [Hager] became a two-time world champion, holding the World Heavyweight Championship and the ECW Championship once each, as well as the United States Championship. Hager moved to AEW in 2019, where he competed through 2024. Hager also ventured into mixed martial arts, signing with Bellator MMA in 2017. He competed in the heavyweight division and remained undefeated with a record of 3-0 (1 NC) before announcing his retirement from MMA in 2023. Hager’s outstanding accomplishments in both amateur and professional wrestling make him an ideal candidate for the TNTHOF. Congratulations to Jake Hager on this well-deserved honor!" [H/T PWInsider]

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Jake Hager recently claimed that Tony Khan did not want him in AEW

Despite being with the promotion for five years, both sides decided to let Jake Hager's contract run its course, as it expired back in May this year. Since then, he has been making appearances on the independent circuit.

While appearing on WJXT Jacksonville's Going Ringside, the former AEW star talked about how Chris Jericho brought him to the promotion, not Tony Khan. He claimed that Khan did not want him to join the company.

"It was awesome. Chris Jericho, he's the greatest of all time, one of my favorites. For him to bring me in, say 'I'm his guy'... what a compliment. Tony didn't want me there, but Chris did, he wanted me there, and it was awesome," Jake Hager said. [From 9:40 to 9:57]

There seems to be a clear rift between Hager and TK, seeing as last month he also accused the AEW President of threatening to fire him in the past due to political differences. But as of now, the 42-year-old has yet to sign with any major promotion.