Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion hints at retiring after AEW exit - "I wanna find a way to be home more"

AEW has been home to several former WWE Superstars who are in the later stages of their careers. One star recently left the company after being on the sidelines for months, amid a bit of controversy. Now, the former World Heavyweight Champion is teasing retirement while also pitching potential new roles in the industry.

Jake Hager was a standout high school and college athlete. The NCAA All-American graduated with a bachelor's in finance and was personally recruited by Jim Ross. The former Jack Swagger joined WWE on the day he was scheduled to start with a finance firm, and he remained with the company for almost eleven years until his March 2017 release.

After stints with MLW and Lucha Underground, the former Bellator MMA fighter debuted on the inaugural AEW Dynamite. He left the Tony Khan-led organization last May after choosing not to re-sign.

The All-American American has now confirmed his AEW status while revealing potential changes in his career direction. Speaking to WWE Hall of Famers JBL and Gerald Brisco on the latest episode of Stories With Brisco & Bradshaw, the final Lucha Underground Champion discussed interest in non-wrestling ventures.

Hager also indicated that he was up for other on-screen roles. JBL noted how the 42-year-old always had goals and objectives and then asked what was next.

"Yeah, it’s interesting. I’m excited to find out. My contract expired with AEW in June, so I just left them. I’m currently working independents but, I’m 42, and think it’s time to (...) I don't know, I want to find a way to be home more with my kids, so I'm looking into more business opportunities (...) construction, rental properties (...) I would love to sit down with you, John, and get some pointers about announcing, maybe stay on camera that way, but really just doing what I can. I had a great career, very blessed. So, now it's kind of easier. The pressure's off and (...) just try to be a good dad and example for my kids," Jake Hager said. [From 1:17:40 to 1:18:32]

Hager has worked around ten indie matches since July. His last AEW bout was a Rampage loss to Roderick Strong on February 23. The former Real American was defeated by Connor Mills on November 2 at BZW Alcatraz in France.

AEW Dynamite updated lineup for tonight

Tonight's AEW Dynamite will air live from Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, CT. This is the final episode before next week's Full Gear go-home show. Below is the updated lineup:

Jon Moxley will seize SuperStation TBS
We will hear from Jamie Hayter
Bobby Lashley will speak
We will hear from Will Ospreay
Lio Rush vs. Swerve Strickland
Grudge Match: Jay White and Juice Robinson vs. Christian Cage and Adam Page
Full Gear Four-Way Contenders Series: FTR vs. House of Black
Penelope Ford vs. Britt Baker
Non-Title Match: International Champion Konosuke Takeshita vs. Adam Cole
Falls Count Anywhere: Roderick Strong vs. Lance Archer

The 171st Rampage episode will also be taped tonight, to air in its usual Friday timeslot. Meanwhile, Saturday's Collision episode will be taped on Thursday at the MVP Arena in Albany, NY.