AEW star Jake Hager (fka Jack Swagger) spoke with Sports Illustrated to hype his upcoming Bellator fight against Anthony Garrett this weekend. Hager talks about feeling validated after leaving WWE and betting on himself, and is happy to finally be portrayed as the heavy-hitter he always knew he could be. He also discusses the formation of the Inner Circle, how the AEW locker room feels like it’s apart of history, and his relationship with Tony Khan. Highlights below.
His return to pro wrestling:
I’ve worked very hard to get back to this point. It took time for it to pay off, but I feel so vindicated that I left that job and bet on myself.
His relationship with AEW President Tony Khan:
Tony Khan wants me to keep fighting and keep winning,” said Hager, whose fight this Friday will air on the Paramount Network. “As a fighter, I’m not one of those people that wants to prove I can go out and throw strikes. I’ve heard that I’m a wrestler and not a real fighter, but I have nothing to prove to anybody. All I want to do is go out there and win. That’s all that is important to me. Winning is a statement, and the rest will take care of itself.
The formation of the Inner Circle:
The development of the Inner Circle is a very cool factor,” said Hager. “We know this is big and we’re getting hot, but it’s still so young. We have a level of mystique about us, and there are so many directions we can go. All my focus is building upon that and giving the fans a different taste, something that is more raw emotion and less overproduced. When that means me getting in the ring, I’ll be ready. I want to go singles with Rey Fenix, Penta, singles with the Bucks, Kenny, PAC, Moxley and Hangman. Those could all be month-long feuds, they’re all such fresh matchups for me.
Getting lost in the mix of WWE:
I was lost in the mix there [in WWE],” said Hager. “When I look now at guys like Cesaro, guys like Bobby Lashley, they’re just lost. When I look at them, that whole cloud of doom comes right back over me. I’m so glad I’m not in that. It’s something you deal with within big companies, but it’s also about how they treat their talent. They know exactly what they’re doing, and I hate to say it, but it’s on purpose. They want you lost in there so they can control you. They don’t control me anymore. Now, I’m finally being portrayed in the way I always should have.
Chris Jericho being one of the greatest of all time:
Chris Jericho is on the Mount Rushmore of professional wrestling,” said Hager. “He is AEW’s biggest asset. Chris is so good, especially with his timing, that he makes everyone raise their game. I also admire that he’s not afraid to take risks and say, ‘F— it, let’s do this.
The AEW locker room:
This journey keeps on getting better and better, and it’s going to continue this Friday night,” said Hager. “There is a feeling building in that AEW locker room that we are part of professional wrestling history, and I also have the chance to train and compete in Bellator. Plus, I can be with my wife and kids throughout the week. This is what I always dreamed about. Now that it’s here, I’m coming out on Friday to make a huge statement and win.
