Below are a couple of top news stories of the day, featuring Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, and Eric Bischoff.
• Steve Austin Reveals Why He Didn’t Watch John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes
During an interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Steve Austin revealed that he didn’t watch John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship from WrestleMania 41:
“I didn’t see it. I just wanted to beat the crowd and I haven’t watched it back.
I love what Cena’s doing. I love the way that guy talks, his promos, where he’s going with it. I know some people think differently, but I like the ride that he’s taken me on because I’m invested in John Cena. I’ve watched him for a long time.
He’s a class act and I think he’s gonna look back and love what he’s doing because he loves the business and he I think he truly enjoys it.”
RELATED: Steve Austin Reveals What Went Wrong With The ATV At WrestleMania 41
• Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff Reveal Their Mystery 3rd Man
After a cryptic teaser reminiscent of the iconic nWo promos, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff have officially unveiled their new venture: Real American Freestyle (RAF)—a wrestling league that blends the competitive nature of freestyle wrestling with the flair of pro wrestling storytelling.
As reported by Forbes, Real American Freestyle will be a freestyle wrestling league infused with theatrical elements, including colorful characters and narrative-driven competition. Hogan will serve as Commissioner, Bischoff as Chief Media Officer, and wrestling coach Izzy Martinez—introduced in nWo-style videos as the “third man”—will act as Chief Operating Officer.
Our Third Man pic.twitter.com/e74KkWqXV5
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 30, 2025
The league has already secured a strong lineup of talent, including former UFC fighter Ben Askren, Olympic wrestler Kennedy Blades, and former national champion Zahid Valencia. RAF will feature eight men’s weight classes and four women’s weight classes, with the inaugural event set to take place on August 30 in Cleveland, Ohio, according to AP News.
RAF is being backed financially by Left Lane Capital, the New York-based venture capital firm known for investing in sports ventures like Shaun White’s Snow League and Gerard Piqué’s Kings League. The league’s title sponsor will be Hogan’s Real American Beer.
Speaking with AP News, Hogan shared what inspired the creation of the league, pointing to a pivotal moment during the 2025 NCAA National Championship when Wyatt Hendrickson defeated Gable Steveson and was embraced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“When I saw that happen and I saw our President hug him, I went, OK, we are on point, we’re ready to go and instincts have prevailed and I smell victory. I think we’re right on track, brother,” Hogan said.
Hogan’s political support has also been on display in recent years, particularly during the 2024 presidential campaign, where he made appearances at the Republican National Convention and a Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden.
