Jake Hager retires, criticizes AEW backstage culture and Tony Khan

Jake Hager, the former WWE star known as Jack Swagger, confirmed his retirement from professional wrestling and sharply criticized the backstage culture at All Elite Wrestling in a wide-ranging interview this week, saying he left the business feeling jaded and underappreciated. Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Hager recounted his AEW tenure from 2019 to 2024, criticized AEW president Tony Khan's leadership and creative control, and described a backstage confrontation he said he now regrets not challenging.

Hager said he was "very jaded" after his exit, blaming a negotiation process he described as one sided and short contract offers that left him questioning whether he should have returned to mixed martial arts. He told the podcast that Khan "could not take criticism," and recounted an incident in which Khan allegedly stormed into a closed, talent-only meeting convened after the CM Punk backstage shoot incidents. Hager said Khan barged in yelling at performers, threatened to force Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler into a hastily assembled six-man match, and treated veterans, including Sting, as "little playthings." He also referred to Khan by the nickname "daddys little...