Jake Hager to Debut for Power Slap After Signing Multi-Event Deal

Jake Hager is stepping into a new lane in combat sports. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion has signed a six-appearance deal with Power Slap and is set to debut on April 17 in Las Vegas. The timing lines up with WrestleMania 42 weekend, which could bring extra attention to the event.

Hager shared the news during an appearance on TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast. He confirmed the deal is official and said the show will stream live on YouTube that Friday. Importantly, he made it clear he is not retiring from wrestling. His last match took place in November 2024, and he still considers himself active.

The connection to Power Slap came through longtime wrestling friend Sinn Bodhi, who now works in talent relations for the promotion. At 43, the intense training required for MMA camps has become harder to maintain consistently, but Power Slap offers competition without the same physical grind.

Hager was an NCAA All-American wrestler at Oklahoma and later built an undefeated record in professional MMA. That background gives him legitimate credibility in combat sports heading into this new environment.