How Real American Freestyle Thinks It Could Change the Sport of Wrestling

Real American Freestyle (RAF) is experiencing rapid growth in its inaugural year, surpassing initial expectations. Founded in April 2025 by Chad Bronstein, alongside WWE legend Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Izzy Martinez, RAF sets itself apart from other wrestling promotions by offering Olympic-style wrestling and avoiding the scripted, theatrical aspects associated with other events.

RAF's success can be attributed to its monthly event schedule, which prevents fans from losing interest, according to Bronstein. The promotion has gained significant traction on social media, boasting nearly 400,000 Instagram followers and generating hundreds of millions of views across various platforms. This growth can be directly linked to RAF's media rights deal with Fox Nation, which began as a two-fight deal but has since expanded to cover all 12 of RAF's events.

Fox Nation's SVP, Gavin Hadden, highlighted the immense passion and underserved fan base for the sport, emphasizing that RAF provides a dedicated platform for these enthusiasts. RAF's roster comprises a mix of current and former UFC fighters, All-Americans, and Olympians, including UFC champions Khamzat Chimaev, Merab Dvalishvili, and Henry Cejudo.

Despite the high-profile nature of its roster, RAF's fighter pay is substantial, with UFC competitor Merab Dvalishvili estimating his RAF earnings to be comparable to his UFC fight against Petr Yan in 2023. While UFC and RAF contracts are undisclosed, estimates suggest Dvalishvili's RAF pay falls in the six-figure range. Despite concerns about the promotion's financial stability, Bronstein remains confident, citing the company's $10 million in sponsorship revenue in its first year and various sponsorship deals.

Key sponsors include Real American Beer, co-founded by Bronstein and Hogan, along with Lucy and Spartans.com. RAF has already announced its next four events, including a September 5th card in Moscow, featuring UFC fighter Chimaev and former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. In addition to professional wrestling, RAF is dedicated to nurturing the youth wrestling scene, having acquired its first U.S. youth club in Tampa and planning to expand internationally.

The promotion also launched RAF Next Gen, a six-month tournament series culminating in championship matches alongside RAF professional events. Notably, RAF will not appoint a commissioner, as the role was created specifically for Hogan, who unfortunately passed away before the promotion's debut. Moreover, TKO, the parent company of UFC and WWE, does not hold any stake in RAF, despite both parties sharing a connection through Real American Beer.

RAF remains focused on transforming the wrestling landscape, with CEO Bronstein envisioning the promotion as a game-changer akin to the NFL in football or MLB in baseball.