Former WWE and AEW star Jake Hager has undergone another emergency eye surgery after doctors discovered additional damage stemming from a serious injury he suffered during a Power Slap competition last month.
The 44-year-old, who previously competed in WWE under the name Jack Swagger, initially required emergency medical treatment following his TKO loss to Johnny Magna. Hager suffered significant bleeding from his eye during the contest, raising concerns about possible permanent vision damage.
According to an October 23 update from Slap News, which has been in contact with Hager’s fiancée, Patricia Blackburn, doctors recently discovered that the wrestler had suffered a detached retina. The condition was identified during one of his weekly follow-up appointments after enough blood had cleared from the injured eye to allow for a more thorough examination.
The discovery prompted another urgent surgical procedure to reattach the retina. Fortunately, the operation reportedly went better than doctors had initially anticipated. “As the blood in Jake Hager’s eye began to clear, doctors discovered in his weekly follow-up that his retina was detached,” Slap News reported. “He underwent urgent surgery to reattach it, which doctors said went better than expected.”
Earlier this month, reports indicated that Hager had begun regaining some vision in the affected eye following his initial surgery. However, doctors had not ruled out the possibility of additional procedures, and the latest discovery confirms that his recovery remains an ongoing process.
The severity of Hager’s original injury also attracted attention from UFC President Dana White, who described it as one of the worst injuries he had witnessed during his involvement with UFC and Power Slap events.
Before the latest operation, Blackburn had provided an encouraging update regarding Hager’s medical appointments while emphasizing that any decision about his competitive future would depend on his recovery and the advice of his doctors.
“The expectation of him returning to compete, that decision is going to be based on his recovery and what the doctors say,” Blackburn stated.
Hager, who has a background in professional wrestling, amateur wrestling, and mixed martial arts, has suffered consecutive losses since entering Power Slap competition. His latest medical setback leaves his potential return uncertain as he continues recovering from the injury.
No timetable has been announced for Hager’s return to competition, with his immediate priority remaining the recovery of his injured eye and the preservation of his vision.
