Hulk Hogan’s New League?! You Won’t Believe What It’s Like!

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At last, I’ve cracked the code on what Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff have been cooking up behind the scenes for some time now. To be fair, I’ve had a sneaking suspicion about it for a while, but now that their plans have gone public, it’s all out in the open.

25 years after their iconic nWo run, Hogan, a legendary professional wrestler on par with Mt. Rushmore, and Bischoff, the most prominent promoter in WCW history, have teamed up to establish Real American Freestyle. This isn’t like the scripted, WWE-style wrestling they’re famous for; instead, it’s more akin to amateur wrestling but with real (American) cash prizes on the line.

In conversations with The Hollywood Reporter, Bischoff stated that it’s not about a “scripted sports event” or “entertainment,” but rather a genuine athletic contest.

According to Hogan, the integrity of the grappling tournament will be “spotless,” while also promising “spectacular stunts intended to captivate contemporary viewers.” Essentially, he’s assuring a fair competition and exciting performances for the modern audience.

Real American Freestyle is actively looking for a long-term media partner. According to Bischoff, this partner should offer more than just a streaming service; they should contribute something additional to the partnership.

He stated that the sport already exists, but it hasn’t yet been fully developed for public participation. In a professional league, it’s only recognized as television content at this point. He acknowledges the significant effort and time it will require to establish it as a participatory sport.

The team isn’t single; they have partners. Left Lane Capital is their primary financier, while Cassius, known for investing in early-stage technology, is also contributing funds. Hogan’s Real American Beer will take on the role of the main sponsor. USA Wrestling, the NCAA, and NIL organizations are all involved, enabling wrestlers to participate regardless of their current NCAA status, as stated in the announcement.

You can earn money here with bonuses for wins and championship prizes that follow NCAA rules. Historically, top wrestlers haven’t found a professional career path in amateur wrestling. After the NCAA Championships and possibly the Olympics, they might choose to pursue professional wrestling or mixed martial arts, or they could find work as tradespeople like plumbers or electricians instead.

In the realm of authentic American Freestyle, these competitors stand a chance to earn substantial amounts, even six or more figures, as mentioned by them to THR. However, they refrained from disclosing further details regarding the specifics of the athletes’ compensation package.

“Everybody makes their own deal, brother,” Hogan said.

As a gamer, I’m pumped about the lineup for Real American Freestyle! It boasts an impressive roster of 40 athletes, all aged between 18 and 40. According to what I’ve heard from Hogan and Bischoff, the cream of the crop includes Ben Askren – a seasoned Olympian, Pan American champion, mixed martial artist, and professional boxer. Then there’s Kennedy Blades, another Olympian and World Champion. Last but not least, we have Zahid Valencia, a National Champion and World Champion. This team is shaping up to be unstoppable!

A well-anticipated third person, Israel “Izzy” Martinez – a renowned amateur wrestling coach, is set to team up with Hogan and Bischoff. They’ve been building up this collaboration in a way reminiscent of the WWE, with a video that also serves as a nod to their past in WCW.

Previously, Hogan, often referred to as the “eat-your-vitamins” hero (nicknamed “The Real American,” which gave his league and beer their names), switched teams in WWF (then) for a villainous role in WCW. This unexpected transformation, known as a heel turn, left the wrestling community stunned when Hogan was unmasked as part of the heel faction nWo, joining Scott Hall (formerly “Razor Ramon” in WWE) and Kevin Nash (“Diesel” in WWE) at the WCW’s Bash at the Beach pay-per-view event.

I’m totally captivated by Bischoff, the mastermind behind the iconic nWo “Invasion” storyline, who continues to weave tales here. He sees freestyle wrestlers as intriguing individuals with captivating stories. The amount of sacrifice and dedication these athletes display is unmatched in many other sports. It’s simply amazing!

By enhancing the realism, upgrading the production quality, and highlighting the excitement and drama associated with these events, as Bischoff stated, is the path that will lead us towards our goal.

They aspire to reach the major leagues. As commissioner of Real American Freestyle, Hogan states that his primary objective is gaining entry into the same “high-caliber arenas, prominent venues” as WWE and UFC. The inaugural event for Real American Freestyle is scheduled this summer in Cleveland, Ohio; however, the specific location is currently undisclosed. Their events will encompass eight weight classes, with nine men’s matches lasting nine minutes each and four women’s matches also scheduled.

Though wrestling in the future may differ significantly from modern WWE and AEW styles, it’s expected to adopt similar presentation elements. As for the setting, Bischoff hinted that it could resemble a traditional pro-wrestling or boxing ring, albeit in its early stages.

He mentioned that they require more than just a win or loss, they need elements that stimulate the senses, such as lighting, music, and so forth. This includes unique entrances, themes reminiscent of professional wrestling, plus elaborate introductions for the athletes to connect with fans and potential viewers. Instead of looking towards WWE, he’s aiming for a more The Voice-like approach.

Bischoff was impressed by the exceptional quality of the packages, specifically the video biographies they produce. Essentially, The Voice is a singing competition, but it’s more than just a musical contest. It has been around since the 60s, much like Battle of the Bands. However, what sets The Voice apart and makes it unique is their dedication to creating these detailed packages that allow viewers to understand the journeys of these singers and performers, and it’s these stories that truly make the show stand out.

He went on to explain, ‘Our goal is to highlight these athletes’ unique personalities, as this fosters connections with the audience, sponsors, and various other benefits. The process begins by featuring their individual traits.’

For Hogan, his distinctive qualities were starting to emerge, as he confessed that he had initially harbored concerns about the crucial element at first.

Many of these individuals…exhibit a similar confidence reminiscent of Conor McGregor. They’ve likely been influenced by watching wrestling on TV, as they’ve seen the promotional videos of professional wrestlers,” Hogan stated. “We’re compensating them, my friend, and this financial support should stimulate their innate drive for greatness and aggression. Let a bit of your competitive spirit show, if you know what I mean?

It’s good for the goose and gander — in this situation, for the league and the wrestler.

As you grow in fame, your earnings will increase because your merchandise and other items will sell well. This means more money for you. Furthermore, I believe the promos and the content they present will be amplified.

There’s another really good business opportunity here: sell to TKO.

The company, known as TKO, which is publicly traded and specializes in merging organizations like WWE and UFC, has been rapidly acquiring various combat sports leagues one after another.

In my view,” Hogan stated, “it’s something we can consider for the future. However, what we really need to do now is make it grow into something huge.

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2025-04-30 18:25