Jake Hager nearly got into it with members of a college basketball team following his loss at Power Slap 23 on Thursday night, September 17, in Lubbock, Texas, according to Fightful Select.
It’s not yet known what sparked the argument, and the report doesn’t indicate things turned physical. The team involved hasn’t been named.
Hager had just lost to Johnny Magna by TKO, officially a third-round stoppage after ringside doctors called off the fight when one of Magna’s slaps opened a cut near Hager’s eye.
Power Slap 23 took place at the United Supermarkets Arena on the Texas Tech University campus, marking the promotion’s first event in the state of Texas.
Jake Hager nearly got into a confrontation with members of a college basketball team after his Power Slap loss this week
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) September 18, 2026
– @FightfulSelect pic.twitter.com/hQyW9lF9c0
Hager’s situation grew more serious in the hours that followed. Patricia Blackburn, his partner and a fellow Power Slap competitor, said he underwent emergency surgery on the eye and is now recovering, with details of the injury being kept private.
The former WWE and AEW star signed a six-appearance deal with Power Slap and is now 1-2 through three fights.