Former AEW & WWE wrestler says he’s ‘pretty much’ retired

Jake Hager — who had stints with both AEW and WWE during his pro wrestling career — is stepping away from the ring.

Appearing on a new episode of Saraya’s Rulebreakers podcast, the former Jack Swagger said he’s pretty much retired from wrestling. He’s now focused on a trucking company he’s started called “Haulin’ Oats” that’s operating in Florida.

“I’m getting out of wrestling. I’m pretty much, I can say I’m retired from it,” the 43-year-old Hager said. “I started a trucking company. And so, running routes through Tampa and Florida. I’m not driving, not me. I got people driving. I’m excited. Something to stick my teeth into, you know, hard work always pays off.”

Hager said his kids are now 13 and 10 years old, and he’s enjoying being a father and being home with them. He also sells insurance in addition to his new trucking venture.

In 2024, Hager departed AEW when his contract with the promotion expired. He had been with AEW since 2019.

He previously spent almost a decade with WWE, where he had one World Heavyweight Championship reign as Jack Swagger. Saraya questioned if he would return to WWE if they called, but Hager said that he probably wouldn’t.

Hager, who has a background in amateur wrestling, fought for Bellator MMA four times between 2019-2020.