Backstage Update On Jake Hager After Power Slap Injury

Jake Hager is beginning to regain vision in his left eye after suffering a ruptured eyeball at Power Slap 23, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. However, more surgeries may await him in the future.

The former WWE and AEW star sustained the injury during his slap-fighting match against independent wrestler Johnny Magna. In the second round, Magna delivered a slap that struck Hager’s left eye and caused bleeding. His team argued the strike should have been ruled a foul. Officials disagreed and awarded Magna the victory by referee stoppage. Hager’s partner, Patricia Blackburn, later confirmed that he had undergone emergency eye surgery.

Last week, Dave Meltzer reported that Jake Hager underwent emergency surgery after the September 17 event in Lubbock, Texas. The former WWE star may also require additional procedures as his recovery continues.

“After getting his left eye badly damaged in a slap fight event, Jake Hager, who suffered a ruptured eyeball, is beginning to get some sight back in the eye,” Dave Meltzer wrote in last week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via Wrestling Inc). “He may need more surgeries. He had emergency surgery after the slap.”

His appearance at Power Slap 23 marked his third slap-fighting match. The injury also affected Hager’s scheduled appearances outside the ring, leading to the cancellation of his appearance at an Inside the Ropes event in Glasgow.

Blood comes from the eye as Jake Hager suffers a TKO lost at PowerSlap https://t.co/kwxVWzIbj2

— Matty (@MattyWFreakingA) September 18, 2026