Jake Hager Claims Tony Khan Didn’t Want Him in AEW

Jake Hager didn’t hold back when reflecting on his time in All Elite Wrestling. In a recent interview with News4JAX The Local Station, the former WWE star shared surprising details about his AEW debut in 2019, including the fact that Tony Khan was initially opposed to bringing him into the company.

Hager credited Chris Jericho for securing his spot on the AEW roster. “It was awesome. Chris Jericho is the greatest of all time, yeah, one of my favorites,” Hager said. “For him to bring me in and say I’m his guy, I mean, what a compliment. Tony didn’t want me there, but Chris said he wanted me there, and it was awesome.”

While Hager enjoyed his time working with Jericho, his relationship with Khan soured over time. After leaving AEW, Hager accused the AEW president of silencing him over his political views. “Tony Khan is someone who threatened my job if I didn’t stop promoting my Trump [support],” Hager claimed. “He is a communist.”

Hager stood by his comments, insisting he didn’t do anything wrong. However, he revealed that his outspoken nature led to repercussions, including being pulled from an indie show. Despite the fallout, many fans believe it’s for the best that Hager is no longer part of AEW, citing Khan’s initial reluctance to sign him as an indication of their incompatibility.

Hager’s claim that Chris Jericho was the only reason he got a spot in AEW is sure to spark conversation among wrestling fans. With his outspoken comments about Tony Khan and his time in the company, it’s clear that Hager’s tenure in AEW was far from smooth. Whether fans side with Hager or Khan, the story highlights the influence of major players like Jericho in shaping AEW’s roster.

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