Val Venis is not buying the idea that Power Slap should even be treated like a real sport. After Jake Hager underwent emergency eye surgery following his Power Slap 23 appearance, the former WWE star took to Twitter on September 21, 2026 and ripped the entire concept as flat-out stupid and dangerous.
Venis opened by calling Power Slap the “world’s dumbest game,” but he didn’t stop there. He then made the real point of his post clear by saying the format itself is dangerous and that the people taking part are putting themselves in harm’s way for no good reason.
“📢 POWER SLAP is the worlds DUMBEST game.”
Venis followed that up by saying he doesn’t even consider it a sport. In his view, there’s nothing impressive about standing there and letting someone blast you in the head without being able to defend yourself.
“Not a sport at all. Just a DUMB AND DANGEROUS GAME for morons who lean into their bodies testosterone production without one single critical thought OR they are desperate for cash flow.”
That message hits a lot harder after what happened to Hager. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion was left bleeding from his eye and ear during his Power Slap fight, and the damage later led to emergency eye surgery. Venis made it clear he doesn’t want to see Hager roll the dice again. He closed his post by urging the former WWE and AEW star to get away from Power Slap completely.
“Pray for Jake Hager to change course away for the PowerSlap insanity.”
Venis is now joining the growing list of wrestling names blasting Power Slap after Hager’s injury. Jim Cornette also recently tore into the promotion, arguing that the entire concept is built around people taking unnecessary damage and that the risks are only going to get worse.
The biggest takeaway from Venis’ post wasn’t just that he hates Power Slap — it was how he framed it. To him, this isn’t some edgy combat sport pushing the limits. It’s a “dumb and dangerous game,” and Hager’s latest injury is exactly why he thinks people need to stop pretending otherwise. Jake Hager is recovering now, but Venis clearly hopes this is the moment that finally convinces him to walk away from Power Slap for good.
Do you agree with Val Venis calling Power Slap a “dumb and dangerous game,” or do you think the criticism goes too far? Let us know what you think in the comments.
