Former WWE World Champ Wins Power Slap Debut By Knockout
· Yahoo Sports
On Friday night in Las Vegas, former WWE and AEW star Jake Hager made a successful debut in the unique world of professional slap fighting.
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The man once known as Jack Swagger in World Wrestling Entertainment has proven over the last decade that he is much more than just a pro wrestler. Before he joined WWE, he was an accomplished two-sport athlete at Oklahoma. Playing football and wrestling for the powerhouse university.
He would go on to have an 11-year run in the top promotion in pro wrestling, winning many titles, including a two-month reign as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. After getting his release in 2017, he did not take his talents to another wrestling company. Instead, he switched to cage fighting and posted a 3-0 record in MMA’s No. 2 promotion, Bellator.
Jack Swagger won his Power slap debut today 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/LI5qiSDIoQ
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) April 18, 2026
Jake Hager Power Slap Record: 1-0
Two years later, he would return with his real name, Jake Hager, to the industry that made him a celebrity by signing with All Elite Wrestling. Serving as a key member of The Inner Circle and the Jericho Appreciation Society during his five-year run. However, just like in 2017, he eventually left wrestling behind to try a new sport: Slap fighting.
On Friday at Power Slap 19, Hager made his sport and promotional debut when he took on fellow heavyweight Devin Jenkins. Understanding that Hager could bring attention to the brand due to his wrestling history, Power Slap gave him a winnable fight after Jenkins was knocked out in his two previous bouts in the promotion.
Although it took three rounds, Hager showed he is a fish to slap fighting water and was able to score a technical knockout win in his Power Slap debut (highlights of the victory can be found above). Now, Hager is a successful athlete in not one, not two, not three, but four combat sports.
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