Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are teaming up again for a new venture called Real American Freestyle Wrestling, aiming to mix amateur wrestling with larger-than-life personalities. However, some in the wrestling world aren’t convinced it will succeed.
According to the Wrestling Observer, the idea struck Hogan after he watched Wyatt Hendrickson defeat Gable Steveson at the 2025 NCAA finals. Hogan said in an interview, “When I saw that happen and I saw our President hug him, I went, okay, we are on point, we’re ready to go and instincts have prevailed and I smell victory.”
Their plan is to hold a debut event in Cleveland this August, featuring 12 matches with both college wrestlers and experienced professionals. Hogan even hinted at a potential rematch between Hendrickson and Steveson, stating it’s “on the radar,” though neither has signed on yet.
In this new company, Hogan will be the commissioner and public face, while Bischoff will serve as Chief Media Officer. Businessman Chad Bronstein is listed as a co-founder, and Hogan’s Real American Beer will be the main sponsor. Hogan praised Bischoff, saying, “Eric jumped in with both feet… just moving us forward, light years ahead.”
Despite the enthusiasm, some are skeptical. The Wrestling Observer suggested that Hogan’s past in “fake wrestling” and his controversial reputation might make it hard for the project to gain traction beyond older fans.
Former MMA coach Israel Martinez has been named RAFW’s Chief Operating Officer. Hogan called him “our linchpin,” stating his experience with Olympic and NCAA athletes. Nevertheless, critics point out that previous attempts to commercialize amateur wrestling have failed, even with well-known names involved.
Hogan insists that RAFW isn’t trying to compete with UFC or WWE. He stated, “Our goal is not to be competitive with Dana White… but to be just as big or bigger.” Yet, some insiders believe the real goal might be a quick media deal before the venture faces financial difficulties.
“The bigger star you become, the more you win… you’re going to make your money,” Hogan added, believing their promo-heavy approach could still be successful. However, industry experts caution that the hype might not translate to reality without a strong online viewership.
Whether it’s a genuine passion project or a final attempt at a big payday, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are taking a significant risk with Real American Freestyle Wrestling. With no major stars signed, public perception challenges, and a concept that hasn’t historically thrived outside of college sports, the odds appear to be against them. Still, if anyone believes they can overcome these obstacles, it’s likely to be Hulk Hogan.
