Horrific Injury: Former AEW star bleeds from an eye fixed after getting slapped

A former AEW star suffered a bleeding eye while competing at a major combat sports event and had to bow out.

The star in focus is Jake Hager (fka Jack Swagger). Hager competed in AEW from 2019 to 2024, but his run left a lot to be desired, as he finished with no titles to his name. The former World Heavyweight Champion signed with Power Slap earlier this year, but he has not had the best start to his career.

At Power Slap 23 (yesterday), the ex-AEW star suffered his second straight defeat, leaving his record at 1-2. Unfortunately for Hager, he lost in brutal fashion. Hager faced Mexican star Johnny Magna, whose slap left the erstwhile Jack Swagger unable to compete after it seemingly ruptured Hager’s left eye tear duct, causing the eye to bleed profusely and resulting in a TKO victory for Magna.

You can view the video clip of Johnny Magna TKOing Hager here.

Mahabali Shera on what he said to ex-AEW star Jake Hager after knocking him out

Jake Hager’s previous loss came against Mahabali Shera at Power Slap 21 in July. After the brutal knockout, Shera sat down with ITR Wrestling for an exclusive interview, where he revealed what he said to Hager after their match. Shera said he went to apologize to the former World Heavyweight Champion and tell him that he respects him.

“As soon as the match got over, immediately, because doctors check us afterwards, the doctors checked on me, and I asked, ‘Where is Jake?’ So, while I was going, he was in the other room; his face was swollen. I immediately sat at his knees and said, ‘Sorry, brother, I’m so sorry! I have so much respect for you, and I love you, and this had to be done for my people, for my flag, because whatever I am is because of my audience. The billions that are watching me, I don’t want to let them down, and I just gave it my all.”

Shera also revealed that Hager was humble and gracious in his response.

“He said, ‘No, man, you are amazing. You are a giant, humble guy, and I have respect for you, and you’re amazing.’”

It will be interesting to see whether Jake Hager can make a comeback in Power Slap.