Jake Hager Rebukes AEW Exit, Says Renewal Unfair and Misaligned

Jake Hager has aired a sharp rebuke of his exit from All Elite Wrestling, saying his time with the company soured under Tony Khan and that the contract renewal offered after his initial deal was unfair and indicative of a broader misalignment with the promotion’s leadership. In candid comments about the end of his AEW run, Hager said his passion for wrestling faded after the second Blood and Guts match and that he felt he and other veterans had little room to shape the product beyond big debuts.

Hager, an original member of the AEW roster who helped launch the promotion as part of Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle, recalled a tense moment in the aftermath of CM Punk’s departure. He described a “boys only” meeting with veteran stars such as Sting, Big Show, Jericho, Bryan Danielson, and Jon Moxley that was interrupted by an enraged Tony Khan. “He wasn’t a professional,” Hager said, recounting Khan storming into the room and delivering a message that left many feeling disrespected. The episode, he said, underscored a leadership style that prioritized immediate spectacle over long-term strategy.

Central to Hager’s critique is the renewal offer he received when his first AEW contract...