Former WWE and AEW star Jake Hager suffered a ruptured eyeball during Power Slap 23 while competing against independent wrestler Johnny Magna. In the second round, Magna delivered a slap that struck Hager’s left eye, causing bleeding. Hager’s team contended that the strike should have been ruled a foul, but officials disagreed and awarded Magna the victory by referee stoppage. Hager’s partner, Patricia Blackburn, later confirmed that he underwent emergency eye surgery.
According to Dave Meltzer in a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Hager is beginning to regain some sight in his damaged left eye after the incident. However, Meltzer also noted that Hager may require additional surgeries despite having already undergone emergency surgery following the slap.
Hager’s appearance at Power Slap 23 marked his third slap-fighting match. The injury also impacted Hager’s scheduled events outside the ring, leading to the cancellation of his appearance at an Inside the Ropes event in Glasgow.
