During his appearance on the “Rulebreakers with Saraya” podcast, Jake Hager detailed the circumstances that led to his departure from WWE in 2017, citing “disrespectful” contract negotiations and the company’s rejection of a creative idea that would have seen him transition to the world of MMA.
A “Disrespectful” Contract Offer
Hager explained that his decision to leave was a direct result of feeling undervalued during contract renewal talks. “I was in contract negotiations, and I just felt really disrespected,” he said. “I felt disrespected in the contract negotiations, just by what they offered, and I made a counter, and then they made a counter that really pissed me off. So I was like, ‘Alright, let’s go. Let’s let’s go elsewhere.'”
Inspired by the Indies
At the time, Hager saw a thriving independent scene that gave him the confidence to leave the security of a WWE deal. “Drew McIntyre were still on the Indies, and like, he was just killing it. And like, Cody had just left, so he was out there,” he recalled. “So like, you knew, like, there was an indie market out there… so I said, I’ll leave.”
The MMA Pitch
Along with working the independent circuit, Hager had a plan to pursue a legitimate career in mixed martial arts. He even pitched a storyline to WWE creative that would have incorporated his real-life fighting ambitions. “I’m also going to fight MMA… I’ve been pitching an idea to Road Dogg about me causing a scene and leaving for a little bit, and the whole time I’m training, and then I go and have a fight, and then I come back,” he explained. The company, however, was not interested in the idea. “And they’re like, ‘You can’t do that.'”
Vindication in Bellator
After leaving WWE, Hager did exactly what he had planned, signing with Bellator MMA and embarking on an undefeated run in the heavyweight division. The success was a form of validation for him. “It makes the vindication when you go on and win four in a row,” he said. “I wish I would have stuck with it.”
Proving His Value
For Hager, the entire journey was about proving his worth after feeling disrespected by WWE’s offer. “The chip on [my shoulder was] like, I didn’t feel like WWE knew my value,” he stated. “And so like, I wanted to go out there and prove like, ‘No, this is what I’m worth. This is what I can be.’ And a lot of times there they don’t want certain talent to be because they’ll have to pay them.”
Hager’s successful run in Bellator and on the independent circuit eventually led him to All Elite Wrestling, where he was a featured member of the roster for several years before his recent retirement. The full interview can be heard on the “Rulebreakers with Saraya” podcast.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Rulebreakers With Saraya with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
