Jake Hager made his Power Slap debut—and didn’t just show up, he made history.
At 44 (or “54” if you ask him jokingly), he became the oldest competitor to win in Power Slap. And in classic Hager fashion, he kept it simple:
“All I care… I just want to look like a winner.”
A Different Mindset This Time
Unlike his WWE days or MMA fights, Hager came in with a very specific approach:
- No gimmicks
- Locked-in focus
- Stoic mentality
He even credited Wolverine’s calm, emotionless style as inspiration:
“After you win, you can go crazy.”
And yes… he tried to C-Walk after the win.
Didn’t go well.
That “Bow and Arrow” Strike
One of the most talked-about moments was his striking form—pulling back his non-slapping arm like drawing a bow.
Turns out, it wasn’t for show.
“I shoot bow with my kids… it was muscle memory.”
It also served a technical purpose:
- Helped shift weight
- Created better balance
- Added a bit of showmanship
A perfect mix of instinct + performance + mechanics.
Reading His Opponent Mid-Fight
Hager quickly adjusted to his opponent’s unusual striking rhythm and technique:
- Opponent alternated between counts (“one” vs “two”)
- Had a deeper, unconventional swing
Hager stayed composed:
“After I took it and it didn’t phase me… I was like, let’s go.”
That moment flipped the fight.
He even used pace and positioning to his advantage by getting set faster and subtly pressuring his opponent.
Wrestlers Are Taking Over
A big theme from the event: wrestlers showing up and winning.
Hager acknowledged the growing crossover:
“I hope to help influence more people to Power Slap.”
And that matters—because when established names succeed, more follow.
What’s Next?
Short term?
- 3-week suspension (standard)
- Taking his daughter to a soccer game
- Possibly scaring the coach for fun
Long term?
He’s clearly in.
“That was fun.”
Final Take
Jake Hager proved a few things in one night:
- Age isn’t a limitation in Power Slap
- Experience translates—especially composure under pressure
- Personality + discipline = dangerous combination
He didn’t just win—he looked like he belonged immediately.
And if this was his first outing… there’s a lot more coming.