Dutch Mantell, who had two separate stints with WWE, recently shared his thoughts on Jake Hager’s unexpected retirement from professional wrestling. Mantell first appeared in WWE in the mid-1990s as Uncle Zebekiah before returning in 2013 for a three-year run as Zeb Colter.
Hager, known as Jack Swagger during his WWE career from 2006 to 2017, captured the World Heavyweight, United States, and ECW Championships. After leaving WWE, he went on to wrestle for AEW, where he remained until 2024.
On his Story Time with Dutch Mantell podcast, Mantell reflected on Hager’s departure from the ring. He criticized AEW’s handling of the former champion and noted that Hager had been disillusioned with wrestling long before his exit.
“I think he was getting sick of the business even when I was with him, and then he went to AEW, and they did absolutely zip with him,” Mantell said. “They did nothing with him. I guess he made pretty good money. How long was he there? Three years? He made money, which is the purpose if you’re gonna have a wrestling position somewhere. Make money with it. I don’t know, but I think he was getting tired of it when I was with him in WWE.”
Mantell and Hager notably worked together in 2013 and 2014, with Zeb Colter managing Swagger as part of The Real Americans alongside Cesaro.
Dutch Mantell on Jake Hager’s first impression of him
When Mantell returned to WWE in 2013, nearly two decades had passed since his last run. According to him, Hager had no idea who he was at the time.
“I wish him a lot of luck. I really, really liked that guy. He didn’t even know me when they put us together. He thought, ‘Who in the hell are they putting me with?’ because he’s not a wrestling fan. I don’t think he ever really, other than amateur wrestling, which he was very, very good at, and he was big too, he did very well with that, but he never looked over at me like, ‘Who in the hell are you again?’”
In the same episode, Mantell also shared his perspective on Drew McIntyre’s recent blunt remarks about fellow WWE superstars.
