Below are a couple of top news stories of the day, featuring RAW, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff.
• WWE Has Benched Popular RAW Star
Despite public assurances from WWE President Nick Khan that the company does not “sign and bench people,” another wrestler has been sidelined without explanation—this time, it’s Dakota Kai.
Kai has been absent from RAW since the March 17 episode, and her last match overall was during the March 24 taping of WWE Main Event, where she defeated Ivy Nile. Despite her Damage CTRL teammate IYO SKY regularly appearing on TV as the reigning Women’s World Champion, Kai has largely been missing from weekly programming.
Fans began to speculate about the reason behind her absence, but Kai took to social media to clarify the situation herself. She tweeted:
“I miss wrestling. I miss you guys. Not hurt btw!”
That short statement confirmed she’s not dealing with any injury—WWE simply isn’t using her at the moment.
Her situation mirrors that of Omos, who was brought back from a successful run with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan, only to be benched again shortly after returning to the United States.
This pattern directly contradicts what WWE President Nick Khan claimed earlier this year when he stated in an interview:
“That’s something we won’t do. We won’t sign and bench people. We sign people who we want to use. If another entity signs and benches people now, that’s not something we would do.”
Also Read: Daniella Chavez Reacts To Rumors Of Being Engaged To Paul Heyman
• 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.
