Real American Freestyle

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Real American Freestyle
TypePrivate
Industry
FoundedApril 30, 2025 (2025-04-30)
FoundersChad Bronstein
Terri Francis
Hulk Hogan
Headquarters
Tampa, Florida
,
United States
Key people
ParentReal American Wrestling, Inc.
Websiterealamericanfreestyle.com

Real American Freestyle (RAF) is an American freestyle wrestling promotion owned by Real American Wrestling, Inc. and headquartered in Tampa, Florida. It was founded in 2025 by Chad Bronstein, Terri Francis, and Hulk Hogan.

Competitors include current and former high school wrestlers, collegiate wrestlers, Olympic wrestlers, and mixed martial artists. The promotion provides an opportunity for wrestlers to compete and profit from the sport, as amateur wrestling historically does not permit compensation. A partnership with USA Wrestling allows current NCAA wrestlers to compete and receive compensation through NIL sponsorships.

Fox Nation is the official broadcast home of the promotion's flagship events, international events, RAF Next Gen youth events, and the reality series RAF Undiscovered.

RAF Clubs are a chain of wrestling academies owned and operated by the promotion.

History

2024: Planning and development

Terri Francis was general counsel for Anheuser-Busch InBev, where she also served as their vice president of investment and innovation until 2022.[1] Chad Bronstein was president of Carma HoldCo until 2023, where he helped the company partner with Hulk Hogan to launch his Immortal by Hulk Hogan line of cannabis products.[2]

Bronstein and Francis partnered with Hogan to launch Real American Beer (RAB) on June 13, 2024, a light beer manufactured by City Brewing Company that carried Hogan's likeness.[3][4] The beer's name was a nod to "Real American", Hogan's longtime WWE theme song.[5] WWE is a minority owner of Real American Beer.[6]

Bronstein's son attended a Chicago wrestling camp in 2024 that was led by renowned coach Izzy Martinez.[7] Bronstein and Hogan were impressed by Martinez, and they began to develop plans with him for a new sport wrestling venture.[4][7]

2025: Promotion's launch

RAF COO Izzy Martinez (left), CMO Eric Bischoff, and co-founder Hulk Hogan during their May 2025 press tour

Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff announced the formation of Real American Freestyle (RAF) on April 30, 2025.[8] The freestyle wrestling promotion is backed financially by Left Lane Capital and the venture capital fund Cassius, with $3.5 million raised at launch.[4] Chad Bronstein serves as chief executive officer, Bischoff as chief media officer, and Izzy Martinez as chief operating officer.[8][9]

Hogan and Bischoff said their goal with the promotion was to elevate and develop top-level competitive wrestlers into stars.[10] They planned on doing that by emphasizing the backstories of each athlete like The Voice does for its singers.[11] David Sahadi was hired as the promotion's multimedia producer to accomplish this, having previously worked with Bischoff.[12]

MOGL founder Brandon Wimbush was hired as the promotion's chief of staff, wrestler Lance Palmer was hired as the head of talent development, and MatScouts founder Willie Saylor was hired as the vice president of talent development on May 30, 2025.[13][14]

RAF signee Wyatt Hendrickson (left) being congratulated by American president Donald Trump for his victory at the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Wrestling Championships

Wyatt Hendrickson was signed to the promotion's roster on June 4, 2025.[15] Hulk Hogan cited mainstream coverage of Hendrickson's upset of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Wrestling Championships as a testament to the sport's popularity.[16] Steveson has a clothing line with Takedown Sportswear, the official manufacturer of RAF apparel.[17]

RAF 01 was held in co-founder Chad Bronstein's hometown of Cleveland, Ohio on August 30, 2025.[18] It featured a video tribute to co-founder Hulk Hogan, who had died the month prior, that was produced by WWE.[19] Wyatt Hendrickson won his main event match against Mostafa Elders to become the inaugural RAF Heavyweight Champion.[20]

RAF launched their first line of trading cards in October 2025.[21]

A multi-year partnership with ALT Sports Data was announced on November 4, 2025 that allows betting on RAF matches through major sportsbooks.[22]

2026: International signings and expansion

RAF signee Abdulrashid Sadulaev (right) being congratulated by Russian president Vladimir Putin for his victory at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Abdulrashid Sadulaev signed an exclusive contract with RAF on January 15, 2026.[23] Sadulaev will receive a reported salary of $100,000 per match, with additional payments of $100,000 for each bout he wins.[24]

RAF: Wrestling’s Greatest Takedowns aired January 29, 2026 on Fox Nation.[25] The special was hosted by Colby Covington, and featured highlights from the promotion’s initial flagship events.[25]

A post-match brawl between Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas at RAF 06 on February 28, 2026 led the promotion to book an immediate rematch between the two as the main event of RAF 07.[26] Poullas reportedly received the highest salary ever afforded for a single competitive wrestling bout.[27]

Gable Steveson signed a multi-match contract with RAF on March 25, 2026.[28]

RAF Next Gen launched on May 7, 2026, a USA Wrestling tournament series that will allow youth wrestlers to compete and earn RAF championships.[29]

RAF head of international events Eldar Eldarov

RAF disclosed $8 million in new capital funding on May 21, 2026.[30]

RAF Undiscovered was unveiled on May 28, 2026, a reality series where the winner will be awarded a RAF contract.[31]

Bahrain national team coach Eldar Eldarov was hired as the promotion's head of international events on June 3, 2026.[32]

RAF Clubs launched on June 16, 2026, a chain of wrestling academies owned and operated by the promotion.[33]

RAF Georgia will be the promotion's first international event, taking place on July 11, 2026.[34]

Corporate governance and executives

RAF parent company Real American Wrestling, Inc. is structured as a corporation, with the following individuals having served in various roles.

Chief executive officer

RAF chairman and CEO Chad Bronstein
  • Chad Bronstein, co-founder (December 2025 – present)[35]

Former chief executive officers:

  • Terri Francis, co-founder (May 2025 – August 2025)[36][37]

Chairman of the board

  • Chad Bronstein, co-founder (May 2026 – present)[38]

Chief operating officer

  • Izzy Martinez (May 2025 – present)[8][9]

Chief media officer

Board of directors

  • Chad Bronstein, co-founder (May 2025 – December 2025, May 2026 – present)[36][35][38]
  • Alexander Crisses, managing director of General Atlantic (May 2026 – present)[38]
  • Arjun Kapur, vice president of Left Lane Capital (May 2026 – present)[38]
  • Jonathan Lubert, chairman of Belgravia Management (May 2026 – present)[38]
  • Harley Miller, founder of Left Lane Capital (May 2026 – present)[38]

Former board members:

Weight divisions and current champions

RAF champions as of June 13, 2026.[39]

Men

DivisionWeightChampionSinceDaysDefenses
Heavyweight 285 lb (129 kg) United States Wyatt Hendrickson August 30, 2025 300 2
Light Heavyweight 215 lb (98 kg) United States Kyle Snyder March 28, 2026 90 2
Cruiserweight 190 lb (86 kg) United States Kyle Dake August 30, 2025 300 3
Middleweight 175 lb (79 kg) United States Dean Hamiti December 20, 2025 188 0
Welterweight 165 lb (75 kg) United States David Carr October 25, 2025 244 1
Lightweight 155 lb (70 kg) vacant — — —
Featherweight 145 lb (66 kg) United States Real Woods May 30, 2026 27 0
Bantamweight 135 lb (61 kg) United States Austin DeSanto January 10, 2026 167 1

Women

DivisionWeightChampionSinceDaysDefenses
Middleweight 150 lb (68 kg) United States Kennedy Blades November 29, 2025 209 2
Bantamweight 130 lb (59 kg) United States Helen Maroulis October 25, 2025 244 1
Strawweight 120 lb (54 kg) United States Sarah Hildebrandt August 30, 2025 300 0
Ecuador Lucía Yépez (interim) June 13, 2026 13 0

Wrestler salaries and contracts

In contrast to amateur wrestling, which prohibits compensation, RAF allows those who excelled in high school wrestling, collegiate wrestling, and Olympic wrestling to profit from the sport.[10] Salaries are not publicly disclosed, with some contracts providing wrestlers both “show” money to compete, and additional “win” money if they are victorious.[40]

USA Wrestling is a partner organization, allowing active NCAA wrestlers to compete in RAF and receive compensation through NIL sponsorships without it affecting their eligibility.[41][40]

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has a working relationship with RAF that allows their contracted mixed martial artists to wrestle for the promotion.[42]

Rules

RAF signee Wyatt Hendrickson (right) performing a single leg takedown

RAF utilizes modified United World Wrestling (UWW) and USA Wrestling rules for freestyle wrestling.[43]

Weigh-ins are performed on the same day as an event.[44] Prior to RAF 05, they had been held the day before an event.[44]

Each RAF event features matches that have three two-minute periods, with a 30-second break between periods.[45]

Matches can end during regulation if a pinfall occurs, or if a technical fall is awarded when one competitor gains a 10-point lead over their opponent.[45] If a match does not end before time expires, the competitor with the highest score at the end of regulation is declared the winner.[45] There is no overtime, and in the event of a tie score at the end of regulation, the competitor who last scored points is declared the victor.[40]

The following point system is administered by the league:

  • Exposure (from Standing): Executing a throw while standing that exposes your opponent's back to the mat is 4 or 5 points.
  • Exposure (from Ground): Turning your opponent onto their back is 2 points.
  • Takedown: Bringing your opponent to the mat and controlling them is 2 points.
  • Reversal: Maneuvering from bottom to top position is 1 point.
  • Stepout: Forcing your opponent completely out of bounds is 1 point. Beginning with RAF 05, the league adopted UWW’s rule change that prohibits competitors from dropping to their knees defensively to avoid a stepout being called.[46]
  • Shot Clock: Failure of a competitor to score in 30 seconds after the official has warned them for being too passive results in 1 point awarded to their opponent.
  • Caution: Stoppages caused by a competitor's fleeing, unsportsmanlike conduct, or abuse of injury timeouts results in 1 point awarded to their opponent.

Competitors can challenge an official's call using video review.[45] If a call is upheld, that competitor loses the ability to challenge again for the rest of the match, and their opponent is awarded 1 point.[45] Challenges were previously eliminated from RAF 05 to RAF 08, during which time a matside Refereeing Delegate of UWW was able to overrule a referee’s scoring.[46]

RAF has implemented an anti-doping policy, following regulations established by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).[47] Testing for substances on WADA’s prohibited list is conducted in and out of competition, with mandatory post-match urine samples.[47] Penalties for violations may include disqualification, suspension, fine, termination, or lifetime ban.[47]

RAF events

Production team

RAF commentator Kurt Angle

RAF's matchmaking committee is composed of co-founder and CEO Chad Bronstein, COO Izzy Martinez, head of talent development Lance Palmer, vice president of talent development Willie Saylor, and ambassador Ben Askren.[48]

The commentary team consists of Shane Sparks as play-by-play analyst, Chael Sonnen as color analyst and post-match interviewer, Julianna Peña as undercard color commentator, and Kurt Angle as main event color commentator.[49] Ben Askren provides remote analysis.[50]

Nick Hogan serves as on-air commissioner.[51] McKenzie Mitchell serves as ring announcer.[52] Alexis Wilkins performs live renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to every RAF event.[53] Brantley Gilbert wrote and recorded the promotion's theme song, “Real American”.[54]

Media rights

Fox Nation acquired exclusive broadcast rights to air the promotion's flagship events on July 21, 2025.[55] They later extended their exclusive broadcast rights agreement for airing RAF’s flagship events on January 22, 2026.[25]

On May 28, 2026, Fox Nation acquired the exclusive broadcast rights to air RAF Next Gen youth events.[31]

Fox Nation acquired exclusive broadcast rights to air the promotion's international events on June 15, 2026.[56]

The reality series RAF Undiscovered will air exclusively on Fox Nation.[31]

References

  1. "The Beer America Has Been Waiting for is Here, as Hulk Hogan Launches Real American Beer, Begins High-Impact Rollout". Financial Post. June 12, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  2. "Hulk Hogan Unveils New Wellness Brand After Stunning Transformation: "I Feel Like I'm 25 Again"". PR Newswire. May 23, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  3. Samra, Christine (June 13, 2024). "Hulk Hogan is 'bringing America together' with new beer, brother". KTLA. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  4. Georgacopoulos, Christina (June 26, 2025). "Hulk Hogan's new Tampa wrestling league flops with fans". Tampa Bay Business Journal. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  5. Kendall, Justin (June 14, 2024). "Hulk Hogan Launches Real American Light Lager". Brewbound. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  6. O'Connell, Pete (January 6, 2025). "WWE To Become Minority Owner in Hulk Hogan's 'Real American Beer'". VinePair. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  7. Carter, Andrew (August 24, 2025). "Izzy Martínez built a wrestling empire in Chicago. Can he take the sport mainstream?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  8. Mejia-Hilario, Irving (April 30, 2025). "Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff launch Real American Freestyle wrestling league". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  9. Levy, Giana (July 22, 2025). "Fox Nation Teams Up with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff for Real American Freestyle (TV News Roundup)". Variety. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  10. Reichlin, Michael (May 12, 2025). "Hogan and Bischoff Share Vision for Real American Freestyle Wrestling: 'This Is Pro-Pro Wrestling'". SEScoops. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  11. Konuwa, Alfred (April 30, 2025). "Hulk Hogan And Eric Bischoff Talk Cena's Heel Turn, Unveil Real American Freestyle". Forbes. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  12. Johnson, Mike (July 19, 2025). "DAVE SAHADI JOINS REAL AMERICAN FREESTYLE WRESTLING". PWInsider. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  13. Bucholtz, Andrew (May 30, 2025). "Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle adds prominent execs in ex-Notre Dame QB Brandon Wimbush, MatScouts founder Willie Saylor". Awful Announcing. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  14. Martin, Damon (January 8, 2026). "'It's just a different game': Lance Palmer praises Arman Tsarukyan, cautions him wrestling is not MMA". MMA Fighting. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  15. Brunt, Cliff (June 4, 2025). "Wyatt Hendrickson, who stunned Olympic champ Gable Steveson, signs with Real American Freestyle". Associated Press. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  16. Brunt, Cliff (April 30, 2025). "Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan to be commissioner of Real American Freestyle". Associated Press. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  17. Brunt, Cliff (August 19, 2025). "Real American Freestyle announces apparel partnership with Takedown, talks with Gable Steveson". The Herald Bulletin. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  18. Simmons, Jonathan X. (August 27, 2025). "Ohio native returns home to help launch the wrestling league he wishes existed when he graduated college". Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  19. Bona, Marc (August 8, 2025). "Hulk Hogan tribute planned at Cleveland wrestling event". Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  20. Scott, Marshall (August 31, 2025). "Wyatt Hendrickson Wins RAF Heavyweight Title at RAF 01". Pistols Firing. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  21. Liberman, Matt (March 2, 2026). "RAF Wrestling is growing legacies through memorabilia". Clict. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  22. Brunt, Cliff (November 4, 2025). "Real American Freestyle partners with ALT Sports Data to bring sports betting to wrestling league". Associated Press. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  23. Heck, Mike (January 15, 2026). "RAF signs 2-time Olympic gold medalist Abdulrashid Sadulaev". MMA Fighting. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  24. Hakobyan, Vahe (January 16, 2026). "Mixed Reaction: Abdulrashid Sadulaev's Signing with the RAF League Sparks Controversy". Sportaran. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  25. "FOX NATION EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH REAL AMERICAN FREESTYLE IN NEW LONG-TERM DEAL". Fox News. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  26. Al-Shatti, Shaheen (March 6, 2026). "Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas 2 set for RAF 7 rematch, one month after viral brawl". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  27. Ryan, Matt (March 5, 2026). "Georgio Poullas Lands Record Purse For Competitive Wrestling Match, Power Broker Says". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  28. Al-Shatti, Shaheen (March 25, 2026). "Gable Steveson signs with RAF on multi-match deal, debut set for RAF 9". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  29. "RAF Launches RAF NEXT GEN, A National Youth Wrestling Tournament Series Built for the Future of the Sport". USA Wrestling. May 7, 2026. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  30. Georgacopoulos, Christina (May 21, 2026). "Hulk Hogan's Clearwater wrestling league raises millions". Tampa Bay Business Journal. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  31. Heck, Mike (May 28, 2026). "FOX Nation expands streaming rights deal for RAF with new Next Gen series, reality competition show". MMA Fighting. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  32. "Snyder and Sadulaev to Meet at First International RAF Event". InterMat. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  33. Burns, Brian (June 16, 2026). "From Tampa Mats To The Big Stage: Real American Freestyle Launches National Elite Club Network". Tampa Free Press. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  34. Heck, Mike (June 3, 2026). "Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo set for RAF's international debut in Georgia; Arman Tsarukyan to compete". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  35. "Form D – Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. December 3, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  36. "Form D – Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. May 20, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  37. "Form D – Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. August 21, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  38. "Form D – Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. May 13, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  39. "RAF Champions". Real American Freestyle. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  40. Abbott, Gary. "Nine Things to Know About Real American Freestyle 01". National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  41. Bona, Marc (June 20, 2025). "Hulk Hogan-backed wrestling league debuting in Cleveland". Cleveland.com. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  42. Harris, Amy (November 20, 2025). "Eric Bischoff on Jake Paul, Tony Khan & WWE's Future". The Action Network. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  43. Smith, Earl (August 7, 2025). "Learning More about RAF from Izzy Martinez". InterMat. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  44. Holland, Jesse (January 12, 2026). "Turns out 'bad decision by RAF' may be to blame for Yoel Romero missing weight against Bo Nickal". MMA Mania. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  45. "Freestyle Wrestling Rules Explained: How Real American Freestyle Matches Work". Real American Freestyle. August 18, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  46. Smith, Earl (March 1, 2026). "Reaction to RAF 06". InterMat. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  47. "Real American Freestyle ("RAF") Anti-Doping Policy" (PDF). Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  48. Heck, Mike (March 5, 2026). "'Arman Tsarukyan has not been banned': RAF exec provides clarity, reveals timeframe for rematch with Georgio Poullas". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  49. Behunin, Alexander (February 23, 2026). "RAF 06 card, start time, date and location". MMA Mania. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  50. Nag, Sayan (March 3, 2026). "Ben Askren: Georgio Poullas was afraid of being 'exposed' against Arman Tsarukyan". Sherdog. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  51. Harp, Justin (August 30, 2025). "Nick Hogan Honors Hulk Hogan at New Wrestling Promotion Event". Us Weekly. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  52. Johnson, Mike (May 30, 2026). "PRO WRESTLING PERSONALITY STARTING WITH REAL AMERICAN FREESTYLE TONIGHT". PWInsider. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  53. Baio, Ariana (October 29, 2025). "Kash Patel scrambled government jet to watch girlfriend sing at wrestling bout, report says". The Independent. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  54. Reigle, Matt (February 27, 2026). "Red, White, And Brew: Brantley Gilbert Talks To OutKick About His New NA Beer, Real American Beer ZERO". OutKick. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  55. Maglio, Tony (July 21, 2025). "Fox Nation Acquires TV Rights to Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff's New Wrestling League". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  56. "Fox Nation and Real American Freestyle Sign International Media Rights Deal". Sports Video Group. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.