Jake Hager likes his purple hat. Well, he’d better attach that bucket hat securely, as Jake Hager joins a promotion that could knock it off his head. While the former Jack Swagger retired from pro wrestling last year, the ex-MMA star isn’t giving up on competitive career. The former WWE World Champion is going to step into another ring, as Jake Hager makes his Power Slap debut in Las Vegas during WrestleMania week festivities. Here’s the latest on Jake Hager’s Power Slap contract.
Jake Hager Joins Power Slap
Power Slap is strong-arming its way into WrestleMania week for a second year in a row, as the Dana White-led company hosts Power Slap 19 in Las Vegas. While details about the card and venue remain unknown, there are two things for certain. Power Slap 19 is scheduled for April 17, 2026, and this event will feature the debut of Jake Hager!
Jake Hager shared the news with TMZ:
“I’m so excited to announce that I’ve signed with UFC Power Slap, and they are doing a show April 17 in Vegas, live. That’s the Friday before (WrestleMania).
I’ll be competing in that show in the Heavyweight Division. I’ve been told I have a very slappable face.”
Jake Hager retired from pro wrestling last year due to years of wear and tear on the body. Since then, he’s focused on his trucking company, Hauling Oates.
Jake Hager’s MMA History
This will be Jake Hager’s first venture out into Dana White’s MMA land. Jake Hager has an MMA record of 3-0-1, from his time competing in Bellator in 2019.
While Dana White’s UFC is under the TKO banner, Power Slap is a separate entity. So, although Jake Hager joins Power Slap next month, he will not be any closer to showing up in WWE…even if his good friend Chris Jericho jumps ship soon!
So, if you represent, “We the people,” don’t get your hopes up for a Jack Swagger return any time soon. However, Jake Hager fans will be happy to know that he will be on Power Slap for the foreseeable future, as he signed a multi-match deal with Dana White’s company.
The Length of Jake Hager’s Power Slap Contract
Jake Hager must need some extra money for his purple hat fund. While Power Slap doesn’t have the physical demand of pro wrestling, it has a probability of causing a concussion.
After all, HollyHood Haley J was successful in her Power Slap debut. However, she got knocked silly in her second match to date. Jake Hager has many more years of bumps on his card than the OVW standout. So, there are some concerns about the long-term effects of Jake Hager’s Power Slap career.
Regardless, Jake Hager’s Power Slap debut during WrestleMania week isn’t a one-off. Jake Hager signed to participate in six matches for his initial Power Slap run.