Jake Hager Injured in Power Slap Bout

Jake Hager, known from professional wrestling and MMA, sustained an eye injury during his appearance in the Power Slap competition on September 17. This incident highlights the physical dangers inherent in the slap-fighting contests.

Hager, recognized by wrestling fans for his WWE run as Jack Swagger and his time with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has also participated in mixed martial arts and other combat sports.

The injury occurred at Power Slap 23 in Lubbock, Texas. Hager faced Johnny Magna in a heavyweight bout. During the second round, Magna struck Hager in the eye. Hager appeared distressed and told officials, “He hit me right in the eye.”

Blood was observed around Hager's eye, leading to a medical examination. The referee stopped the fight, awarding Magna a technical knockout victory.

Hager's injury ended the match prematurely. The former WWE champion showed visible frustration at the stoppage.

Details regarding the exact diagnosis and the severity of the eye injury have not been officially confirmed. There is also no verified update on when Hager might be cleared to compete again.

This marks another difficult outing for Hager in Power Slap, following a knockout loss in his previous fight.

Hager joined Power Slap in 2026, building on his career in professional wrestling and MMA. He won world championships in wrestling under the name Jack Swagger before transitioning to MMA, competing as a heavyweight for Bellator.

Hager won his Power Slap debut in April. However, he has since faced consecutive defeats, including the September 17 stoppage against Magna. Reports suggest Hager has a six-appearance contract with the promotion, raising questions about how his eye injury will impact future scheduled bouts.

Currently, the focus is on Hager's recovery after the concerning incident during the Power Slap competition.