Connect with us
Jake Hager is happy to leave WWE's 'cloud of doom'

News

Jake Hager is happy to leave WWE’s ‘cloud of doom’

‘WWE knows exactly what they’re doing, and I hate to say it, but it’s on purpose.’

Jake Hager made an impact on the debut issue of AEW’s Wednesday Night Dynamite after leaving WWE back in 2017. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, the former Jack Swagger talked about how invigorating it is to be on such a large platform without the shackles of WWE, which he described as a “cloud of doom.”

“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.

Hager is a former World Heavyweight Champion in WWE, but requested his release in 2017 after years of start-stop pushes.

While it seems counterproductive, the consensus among WWE critics and fans alike is that the WWE brand itself is the headlining attraction of the promotion nowadays, and no one person is ever elevated to superstardom by design, to prevent having to rely on any one person to sell tickets. But many feel this approach stifles the ability for wrestlers to truly get ahead and make a name for themselves in the vein of megastars of the past such as Hulk Hogan or “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

Jake Hager is now the muscle for Chris Jericho’s “Inner Circle,” a faction that also includes Santana, Ortiz and Sammy Guevara. The group is expected to make an appearance on tonight’s episode of Dynamite at 8:00 ET on TNT.

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Gail Simone photo by Gage Skidmore Gail Simone photo by Gage Skidmore

Writer Gail Simone joins X-Men CBR message boards

Comic Books

X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke' X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke'

X-Men Monday #241 – Steve Foxe Talks ‘X-Men ’97,’ ‘Dead X-Men,’ and ‘X-Men: Blood Hunt – Psylocke’

Comic Books

Films to check out at SXSW Films to check out at SXSW

Films to check out at SXSW

Movies

Connect
Newsletter Signup