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All accounts are that the first event presented by Real American Freestyle was positively received internally and that going forward, they intend to run just about every month.
One aspect that the company found encouraging was that ticket sales really picked up for Cleveland over the last 48 hours leading into the event. Initially, they were expecting about 3,000 fans based on advance sales but one source believed they ended up with over 12,000+ in the venue. We are told there will be production tweaks going forward to showcase the live crowd more, as last night they purposely darkened the venue in order to keep all viewers trained on the mat and competitors grappling.
Eric Bischoff was the lead producer for the event while Dave Sahadi oversaw the production aspect.
The event opened with a tribute to Hulk Hogan. Voiceovers Hogan had recorded for video packages and Hogan's name were utilized on the broadcast. Hogan's wife Sky and son Nick were in attendance last night, as was Jimmy Hart.
Former UFC star Holly Holm stepped in to compete with 24 hours notice and was introduced as a surprise by Bischoff.
Matt Riddle was backstage visiting and we are told expressed interest in competing in RAF in the future.
TNA Executive Producer George Veras visited RAF the night before their event and was openly praising how big the production scale was, we are told.
The second RAF event will be in the Northeast. It should be announced within the next few weeks we are told. The current plan is to have Chael Sonnen vs. Tito Ortiz at that event after they set it up with Ortiz cutting a promo on Sonnen.
RAF's first event is available for VOD streaming now on FOX Nation. There are plans for a weekly series in 2026 as well.
The company issued the following:
Real American Freestyle’s Inaugural Event RAF01 Comes to an Exciting Close at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, OH
With inspiring wins, sensational surprise guests, and a special tribute to Hulk Hogan, RAF01 was an electrifying experience for thousands of fans
Cleveland, OH (August 30, 2025) – Real American Freestyle (RAF), the first unscripted pro-wrestling league for the best athletes in the world, held its inaugural event, RAF01, at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, OH. Founded by the late Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, Chad Bronstein, and Izzy Martinez, Real American Freestyle kicked off its live event slate in exhilarating fashion, with incredible matches between the best wrestlers in the world. Presented via FOX Nation on live broadcast, partners Real American Beer and Takedown were on display at the historic venue.
To start the event, Nathan Tomasello beat Matt Ramos for the Bantamweight title, accruing 10 points across the three-round bout in the first-ever Real American Freestyle match. Directly following Tomasello’s victory, Yianni Diakomilhalis bested Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia to become the Lightweight World Champion. From there, Austin Gomez swiftly defeated Lance Palmer in 58 seconds due to a technical fall in their Lightweight match-up. The crowd was on the edge of their seat during Evan Wick and Jason Nolf’s fight, where Nolf attempted a flip to score much-needed, late-round points. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to deter Wick, who won the Middleweight World Champion title with 10 points to Nolf’s eight.
Olympian Sarah Hildebrandt won the Strawweight title with ease, not allowing Zeltzin Hernandez to get a point on the board. Darrion Caldwell faced off against Real Woods for the Featherweight championship, resulting in a decisive victory for Woods in the second round. Kyle Dake dominated Dean Hamiti through two rounds for the Cruiserweight title. In a surprise addition, UFC legend and former women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm entered the ring to freestyle wrestle for the first time against Alejandra Rivera, defeated in a close bout after a surprise takedown to kick off the match.
Continuing the UFC representation was combat sports star Bo Nickal, who challenged Jacob Cardenas for the Light Heavyweight Championship and won with a final six points to Cardenas’ four. And finally, to close the card with the main event, NCAA Division I National Champion Wyatt Hendrickson battled Egyptian Olympian Mostafa Aly Elsayed Gabr for the Heavyweight Championship, taking him down in two rounds and bringing RAF01 to an end with an explosive finish. Following Hendrickson’s victory, World Champion and Olympian Mason Parris surprised him, issuing a challenge onstage – which Hendrickson accepted.
To the fans' delight, special guests including Holly Holm, who stepped in for Kennedy Blades, Urijah Faber, Julianna Pena, Mark Coleman, Clay Guida, and Jimmy Hart, made appearances. Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz shared a back-and-forth with Chael Sonnen, resulting in a challenge to a return to the mat for both against each other. Country music sensation Alexis Wilkins delighted those in attendance with the National Anthem.
A heartfelt tribute to Hulk Hogan provided a moving moment – with his son Nick Hogan and wife Sky Daily in attendance. Nick presented each champion with the title belts, and addressed the crowd to begin the program. Real American Freestyle also gave special recognition to Ben Askren with a video montage. Askren, despite not being able to fight in RAF01 as originally planned when Real American Freestyle launched, remains in close partnership with the league. Expert analysis and commentary from Kurt Angle, Bubba Jenkins, and Sonnen was informative and exciting, providing fans in person and watching across the country an inside POV into the sport and the matches.
Following the matches was a press conference, hosted by Chad Bronstein, Eric Bischoff, and Izzy Martinez, where they stated their satisfaction with the first event, sharing their love of wrestling, and what it took to bring RAF01 to life.
“I don't think in the wrestling world it's really hard to drive that our next event will sell out the crowd,” said Chief Executive Officer Chad Bronstein. “We never did this. We’ve never done this before, so they had to see what they were going to be buying. I think we did a good job of proving that.”
“For me, it's a passion, and to be able to be a part of the team that's helping to execute Hulk Hogan's vision for what this could possibly be… because he was a big-ass thinker,” said Eric Bischoff, Chief Media Officer of Real American Freestyle. “He thought big, and he wanted to move fast. And with these two guys [Chad Bronstein and Izzy Martinez], we're going to think big and we're going to move fast. We're gonna make Hulk proud.”
“We're just so grateful to be around each other, but what's really important also, is just these amazing athletes that we have,” said Izzy Martinez, Chief Operating Officer of Real American Freestyle. “These guys came out and put it on the line. They believed in us. Our wrestlers are very passionate, they’re pioneers. We did something great today.”
“The main thing is just the energy, the crowd. Wrestling’s wrestling at the end of the day, but to get that type of crowd and that environment, that’s what I love competing in, and that was part of why I transitioned into MMA – there wasn’t that in a consistent manner,” said Bo Nickal.
“RAF coming in is like a breath of fresh air. This is what wrestling should be every single competition: exciting and electric.”
Sarah Hildebrandt shared, “It’s electric, it’s fun, and I’m just grateful.”
“Izzy has been my wrestling coach through my whole MMA career, so to be able to be out here for this, has always been a dream of his to have,” said Holly Holm. “Wrestling in this kind of spotlight, on this kind of stage, and to be able to display wrestling like it should be, the attention it should get.”
“If RAF wasn’t here, I’d probably pursue some different avenues,” said Wyatt Hendrickson. “But obviously now we have a platform for wrestling, so there’s no reason for me to leave.”
RAF02 will be announced in the coming weeks and will take place this fall. FOX Nation will serve again as the exclusive broadcast partner. In partnership with the UFC, USA Wrestling, NIL organizations, and the NCAA, athletes can compete regardless of their status, providing crucial opportunities for wrestlers at the start and in the prime of their careers. Participants and members of the Real American Freestyle roster have access to the world’s best entertainment and sports storytellers, production, and promotion; they will also have the opportunity to win the championship purse and bonuses, in adherence to NCAA regulations, for wins throughout the season.
For more information, visit the Real American Freestyle website and follow the company at @RAFWrestlingUSA.
About Real American Freestyle
Real American Freestyle is a professional freestyle wrestling league founded by Chad Bronstein, the late Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Israel Martinez. Supported by Left Lane Capital, the league launched in 2025. Featuring a full slate of events throughout its debut season, kicking off in Cleveland, OH, Real American Freestyle is focused on freestyle elements of the sport and seeks to provide a platform for athletes to build careers and branding in the space. For more information on Real American Freestyle, please visit www.realamericanfreestyle.com.
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