Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff announce Real American Freestyle Wrestling

Hogan says his inspiration for launching the league came from watching Wyatt Hendrickson defeat Gable Steveson to win the NCAA National Heavyweight title in March and then celebrate with the U.S. President.

“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,” Hogan told the Associated Press. “I think we’re right on track, brother.”

Neither Steveson nor Hendrickson are currently signed to the new league, although Hogan teased a possible rematch between the two as something the company has on its radar.

“These kids are young, they’re smart. They’re watching TV. They know about branding, they know what sells. And they’ve all got that little Conor McGregor swag,” Hogan continued.

Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades has committed to the league. Hogan says she will be the face of the women’s division. Ben Askren and Zahid Valencia will compete on the men’s side.

Hogan says Bischoff is setting up the new league from a production standpoint.

“Eric jumped in with both feet, and he’s doing a lot to guide this ship right now, brother,” Hogan said. “He’s setting so much stuff up production wise — just moving us forward, light years ahead of where we could have been on our own.”

Martinez is a world-renowned freestyle wrestling and MMA coach and founder of the Izzy Style Wrestling training program in Illinois. He’s helped train Jon Jones for UFC fights, and was Holly Holm’s wrestling coach for her victory over Ronda Rousey at UFC 193. Martinez will serve as the league’s Chief Operating Officer. Hogan will be the league’s commissioner.

“I see this as an opportunity for me to get involved,” Hogan said, “to get back, quit sitting on the couch, to get involved with a bunch of powerful athletes that I can relate to as far as championship material, guys that are on top of their game, and I just — I couldn’t pass on it.”

Bischoff and Hogan also spoke with Forbes about the new league. According to Bischoff, RAFW will be about “World-class athletes, elite-level athletes, Olympic-level wrestlers, collegiate champions, but in a professional environment with a lot more entertainment.”

Hogan added:

“Well, I think Eric described it the best when he said if you think of The Voice. You do the backstories first, so the people care about the athletes, and you see where they started, and the injuries and what type of family background they have, and in the history package, I think that kind of sets people up to care for the athletes, like Eric said. And that’s where we’re going to begin, with the people warming up and getting to know the athletes, and then it’s up to the athletes to perform.”

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