Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jake Hager has undergone emergency eye surgery after suffering a gruesome injury during his latest appearance in Power Slap.
Hager – better known to wrestling fans by his former WWE ring name Jack Swagger – was competing against independent wrestler Johnny Magna when the contest took a disturbing turn in the second round.
Magna connected with a powerful open-hand strike across Hager’s face, with one of his fingers believed to have inadvertently caught Hager directly in his left eye, USA Today Sports reports.
The former WWE and AEW star immediately clutched his face and informed the referee that he had been struck in the eye.
It quickly became apparent that this was no ordinary knock. Blood began streaming from Hager’s left eye and the ringside doctor intervened, bringing the contest to an end.
The moment can be seen below – but, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED – it is not a comfortable watch:
Hager’s team attempted to call for a foul following the incident, but officials dismissed it and Magna was awarded the victory via referee stoppage.
The severity of the injury meant Hager subsequently required emergency surgery on his eye.
Dana White offered a stark assessment of what had happened, calling it the “worst injury in Power Slap or UFC history.”
According to reports, the injury was so graphic that White refused to allow the production team to show viewers a replay of the incident.
Hager’s partner, Patricia Blackburn, has since issued an update on his condition while making clear that further details surrounding his recovery will remain private.
She said: “Thank you to the UFC and Power Slap family for the incredible love and support you’ve shown Jake during this difficult time. Jake is currently recovering from an emergency eye surgery. We’re taking things one day at a time and keeping the details private, but your kindness, support, and genuine concern have meant more than you know. Thank you for being there for Jake. We’re so grateful to be part of a community that shows up when it matters most.”
Power Slap was created in 2022 and is co-owned by UFC president White.
The competition sees two opponents take turns delivering open-hand strikes to one another under a defined set of rules, with contests ultimately settled by knockout or a judges’ decision.
Hager joined the promotion in March and made an immediate impression in his first appearance.
He won his debut by knockout in April, but his fortunes have changed dramatically since then, with the former wrestling champion suffering back-to-back stoppage defeats.
His latest contest ended in circumstances nobody involved would have wanted.
Hager spent more than a decade with WWE, wrestling for the company as Jack Swagger between 2006 and 2017 – winning the World Heavyweight Championship, ECW World Championship, United States Championship, and the Money in the Bank ladder match.
After leaving WWE, he later continued his professional wrestling career with AEW. He was notably part of the Inner Circle during his time with AEW before eventually stepping away from the promotion.
Hager has since become semi-retired from professional wrestling and entered the considerably different world of competitive slap fighting. His background in combat sports and professional wrestling made him one of the more recognisable names to join Power Slap.
We wish Hager the very best during his recovery.
Featured image credit: X/Power Slap (screenshots)
