Hold on to your handlebar mustaches, brother—because Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff just tag-teamed reality and suplexed it into the unknown. In a move that absolutely no one had on their 2024 wrestling bingo card, the legendary duo has announced the formation of the Real American Freestyle Wrestling League (RAFWL)—a legitimate amateur wrestling promotion that’s one bald eagle short of being declared its own sovereign nation.
The big reveal came via an nWo-style video on X (formerly known as Twitter, currently known as Chaos), where Hogan, Bischoff, and a mystery “third man” promised something that would change the game. Spoiler: the game is now collegiate wrestling, and it’s wearing red, white, and blue jorts.
That third man? Izzy Martinez—a coach with Olympic credentials and the kind of résumé that screams “I actually know what I’m doing.” Martinez has worked with UFC champions Jon Jones and Holly Holm, the latter of whom famously Ronda’d Rousey’s senses into the 5th dimension. Now he’s joined Team Real American as the COO, while Hogan takes on the role of Commissioner. (Presumably with full access to a red telephone that only dials “HULKAMANIA.”)
The seed of this entire venture? Hogan was watching Wyatt Henderson beat Gable Steveson at the NCAA national championship in March and, in a flash of inspiration only possible with protein powder and patriotism, he said: “Brother, we need our own league.”
RAFWL will feature eight men’s weight classes, four women’s classes, and a whole lot of eyebrow-raising. Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades has already signed on and was immediately anointed as the face of the women’s division—because when Hulk Hogan points at you and yells “THE FUTURE,” you nod and smile until he walks away.
The inaugural event will be held on August 30 in Cleveland, Ohio—because what better place to start a revolution in wrestling than the spiritual home of midcard pop? Additional events are TBA, but if we’re lucky, they’ll include a steel mat cage match between NCAA champions and the ghost of kayfabe.
Bischoff’s role is unclear, though insiders suspect it involves pushing buttons, producing drama, and possibly powerbombing the budget.