Former WWE Money in the Bank winner alleges Tony Khan did NOT want him in AEW

AEW has signed many former WWE Superstars since its launch, with many set or rumored to join the company in the near future. A former World Heavyweight Champion has had issues with Tony Khan but also has close friends in the AEW locker room. The veteran star has now offered another look at what went down with Khan while revealing his biggest ally backstage.

Jake Hager debuted on the AEW Dynamite premiere and remained with Khan's company for almost five years until late May when he chose to let his contract expire. The former Jack Swagger previously spent almost eleven years with WWE, where he won Money in the Bank in 2010, and became a one-time World Heavyweight Champion, one-time ECW Champion, and one-time United States Champion. While there, Jake also formed a close friendship with Chris Jericho.

The All-American American made headlines last month for claiming that Khan threatened him for supporting President Donald Trump. He also declared the son of a billionaire to be a communist. The 42-year-old spoke with News4JAX's Going Ringside while at The Florida Man Games last week, and credited Jericho for bringing him to AEW. Jake also mentioned how Khan did not want him there.

"It was awesome. Chris Jericho, he's the greatest of all-time, one of my favorites. For him to bring me in, say 'I'm his guy'... what a compliment. Tony didn't want me there, but Chris did, he wanted me there, and it was awesome," Jake Hager said. [From 9:40 to 9:57]

Check out the video below:

Hager noted that being in The Inner Circle and The Jericho Appreciation Society are some of his favorite career programs. He also said some of his favorite career moments were the Stadium Stampede matches at Double Or Nothing. The 2020 match saw Hager, Jericho, and the rest of The Inner Circle lose to Matt Hardy and The Elite, but the next year they defeated The Pinnacle.

Matt Cardona and more are set to appear at AEW Winter Is Coming

AEW will return to the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO for the Winter Is Coming specials for Dynamite and Rampage on Wednesday. Dynamite will air live on TBS, while Rampage will air on TNT this Friday, as the road to World's End continues.

AEW has announced that Matt Cardona will appear on Rampage, likely to promote his Final Battle match with ROH World Champion Chris Jericho. Below is the updated Dynamite lineup:

Jon Moxley and PAC vs. Orange Cassidy and Jay White
Continental Classic Gold League: Ricochet vs. Brody King
Continental Classic Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Will Ospreay
Women's World Championship Match: Mariah May (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly with the winner facing MJF at World's End

All Elite Wrestling will then return to the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis on Thursday for Collision tapings that will air on TNT this Saturday.