{ "id": "epnbkqjwgv", "slug": "raf-01", "title": "RAF 01", "updated": "2026-10-25", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted", "label": "Unscripted, reality, and web-native series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted" }, { "id": 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"https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted.celebrity-lifestyle-court-reality.lifestyle-dating-and-docusoaps.celebrity-and-family-docusoaps" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted", "label": "United States · 2021 and later: Unscripted, reality, and web-native series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021", "label": "United States · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted", "label": "Unscripted, reality, and web-native series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted" } ] } ], "excerpt": "RAF 01 was the debut event of Real American Freestyle, a professional freestyle wrestling promotion founded by Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Chad Bronstein, held August 30, 2025 at Cleveland's Wolstein Center, streamed on Fox Nation, and won in the main event by Wyatt Hendrickson over Mostafa Elders 14-1.", "snippet": "RAF 01 was the debut event of Real American Freestyle, a professional freestyle wrestling promotion founded by Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Chad Bronstein, held August 30, 2025 at Cleveland's Wolstein Center, streamed on Fox Nation, and won in the main event by Wyatt Hendrickson over Mostafa Elders 14-1.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted.celebrity-lifestyle-court-reality.lifestyle-dating-and-docusoaps.celebrity-and-family-docusoaps", "markdown": "# RAF 01\n\n**RAF 01** was the debut event of [Real American Freestyle](https://www.edgepedia.org/real-american-freestyle) (RAF), a professional freestyle wrestling promotion, held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and broadcast live on Fox Nation.[1](https://nwhof.org/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-dan-gable-museum/news/nine-things-to-know-about-real-american-freestyle-01) • [2](https://www.f4wonline.com/news/other-wrestling/real-american-freestyle-broadcast-partner/) The card featured ten matches between athletes of the same weight class, including nine NCAA champions, five Olympians, and four World or Olympic medalists.[3](https://www.themat.com/news/2025/august/30/2025-world-team-members-woods-hendrickson-olympic-champion-hildebrandt-shine-in-raf-01-in-cleveland)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Event | RAF 01, the first competition of the Real American Freestyle promotion[1](https://nwhof.org/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-dan-gable-museum/news/nine-things-to-know-about-real-american-freestyle-01) |\n| Date and venue | Saturday, August 30, 2025, 7:00 p.m. EDT, Wolstein Center, Cleveland, Ohio[1](https://nwhof.org/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-dan-gable-museum/news/nine-things-to-know-about-real-american-freestyle-01) |\n| Broadcast | Live on Fox Nation, announced as exclusive broadcast partner on July 21, 2025[2](https://www.f4wonline.com/news/other-wrestling/real-american-freestyle-broadcast-partner/) |\n| Announcers | Kurt Angle, Chael Sonnen, and Bubba Jenkins[4](https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/49_raf/raf-broadcast-partner-announced-and-more-r100394/) |\n| Main event | Wyatt Hendrickson defeated Mostafa Elders by unanimous decision, 14-1[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n| Champions crowned | Eight RAF weight-class champions, including Hendrickson (Heavyweight), Kyle Dake (Cruiserweight), and Bo Nickal (Light Heavyweight)[6](https://411mania.com/wrestling/real-american-freestyle-raf01-results/) |\n| Attendance | 2,400 people[7](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/19/raf-wrestling-hulk-hogan-tickets) |\n\n## Background\n\nReal American Freestyle was founded by [Cleveland](https://www.edgepedia.org/cleveland) native Chad Bronstein with professional wrestling figures [Hulk Hogan](https://www.edgepedia.org/hulk-hogan) and [Eric Bischoff](https://www.edgepedia.org/eric-bischoff), with coach Izzy Martinez also among the launch leaders. The promotion's purpose was to give collegiate wrestlers a professional, financially viable path after college, using the unscripted freestyle wrestling seen at colleges and the Olympics rather than WWE-style scripted performance.[8](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/18/real-american-freestyle-ohio-hulk-hogan) • [1](https://nwhof.org/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-dan-gable-museum/news/nine-things-to-know-about-real-american-freestyle-01) Bronstein and Hogan chose Cleveland for the debut after a promotional tour there for Real American Beer in January 2025; Hogan, the promotion's inaugural commissioner, died a few months before the event.[8](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/18/real-american-freestyle-ohio-hulk-hogan) • [7](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/19/raf-wrestling-hulk-hogan-tickets)\n\nOn July 21, 2025, the promotion announced Fox Nation as its exclusive broadcast partner, with the debut event streaming live on August 30. RAF commissioner Hulk Hogan described the partnership as aligned with the goal of bringing the sport to a mass audience, and Fox Nation president Lauren Petterson called the brand a fusion of elite athleticism with entertainment.[2](https://www.f4wonline.com/news/other-wrestling/real-american-freestyle-broadcast-partner/)\n\n## Rules and format\n\nRAF bouts use a modified freestyle ruleset close to that of [United World Wrestling](https://www.edgepedia.org/united-world-wrestling), the sport's international governing body. Each bout consists of three two-minute periods with a 30-second break, a 10-point lead ends the bout by technical fall, and there is no overtime: if the score is tied after three periods, the last wrestler to score wins. A takedown scores 2 points, standing exposure 4 to 5, ground exposure 2, and a reversal 1; a wrestler who fails to score within 30 seconds of a passivity warning concedes 1 point, and injury time is capped at 2 minutes.[9](https://rafwrestling.org/rules/) • [10](https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14484334-results-from-real-american-freestyle-01)\n\nMartinez explained before the event that the tie criterion was deliberately simple, so that a new viewer always knows who is winning, and that injury timeouts would be strictly limited: the first is a warning, the second a caution and a point to the opponent, and the third ends the match.[1](https://nwhof.org/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-dan-gable-museum/news/nine-things-to-know-about-real-american-freestyle-01)\n\n## The card\n\nThe announced lineup paired established international and collegiate stars, several of them making professional debuts:[10](https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14484334-results-from-real-american-freestyle-01)\n\n- 135 lbs: Nathan Tomasello vs. Matt Ramos\n- 155 lbs: Yianni Diakomihalis vs. [Bajrang Punia](https://www.edgepedia.org/bajrang-punia)\n- 155 lbs: [Lance Palmer](https://www.edgepedia.org/lance-palmer) vs. Austin Gomez\n- 175 lbs: Jason Nolf vs. Evan Wick\n- 120 lbs: [Sarah Hildebrandt](https://www.edgepedia.org/sarah-hildebrandt) vs. Zeltzin Hernandez\n- 145 lbs: Real Woods vs. Darrion Caldwell\n- 190 lbs: Kyle Dake vs. Dean Hamiti\n- 150 lbs: Kennedy Blades vs. Alejandra Rivera\n- 205 lbs: Bo Nickal vs. Jacob Cardenas\n- Unlimited: Wyatt Hendrickson vs. Mostafa Elders\n\nThe main event was Hendrickson against Elders, with the Blades and Nickal bouts designated co-main events.[1](https://nwhof.org/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-dan-gable-museum/news/nine-things-to-know-about-real-american-freestyle-01) One change occurred on the day of the show: Olympic silver medalist [Kennedy Blades](https://www.edgepedia.org/kennedy-blades) was replaced in the 150 lbs bout by former UFC champion [Holly Holm](https://www.edgepedia.org/holly-holm), who lost to Alejandra Rivera by a 9-7 decision.[10](https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14484334-results-from-real-american-freestyle-01)\n\n## Results\n\nTen matches were held, and eight ended with a champion's belt awarded in a designated weight class.[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) • [6](https://411mania.com/wrestling/real-american-freestyle-raf01-results/)\n\n| Weight class | Winner | Loser | Score |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| 135 lbs | Nathan Tomasello | Matt Ramos | 4-3, unanimous decision[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n| 155 lbs | Yianni Diakomihalis | Bajrang Punia | 5-1, unanimous decision[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n| 155 lbs | Austin Gomez | Lance Palmer | 11-0, technical fall in 58 seconds[6](https://411mania.com/wrestling/real-american-freestyle-raf01-results/) |\n| 175 lbs | Evan Wick | Jason Nolf | 10-8, unanimous decision[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n| 120 lbs | Sarah Hildebrandt | Zeltzin Hernandez | 11-0, unanimous decision[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n| 145 lbs | Real Woods | Darrion Caldwell | Pinfall[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n| 190 lbs | Kyle Dake | Dean Hamiti | 11-0, unanimous decision[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n| 150 lbs | Alejandra Rivera | Holly Holm | 9-7, unanimous decision[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n| 205 lbs | Bo Nickal | Jacob Cardenas | 6-4, unanimous decision[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n| Unlimited | Wyatt Hendrickson | Mostafa Elders | 14-1, unanimous decision[5](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1) |\n\n**Notable moments.** [Real Woods](https://www.edgepedia.org/real-woods) scored the first, and at the time only, pin in RAF history with a second-period fall of Darrion Caldwell at 145 lbs.[3](https://www.themat.com/news/2025/august/30/2025-world-team-members-woods-hendrickson-olympic-champion-hildebrandt-shine-in-raf-01-in-cleveland) Austin Gomez and [Kyle Dake](https://www.edgepedia.org/kyle-dake) each won by 11-0 technical fall, and Hildebrandt, the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist, shut out Zeltzin Hernandez 11-0.[6](https://411mania.com/wrestling/real-american-freestyle-raf01-results/)\n\n## Attendance and aftermath\n\nTicket sales before the event were reported as slow; as of late July 2025, 639 tickets had been distributed for a venue that holds over 13,000 for basketball, and Martinez said at that stage that over 3,000 tickets had been sold with an expected crowd of 3,500 to 5,000.[2](https://www.f4wonline.com/news/other-wrestling/real-american-freestyle-broadcast-partner/) • [1](https://nwhof.org/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-dan-gable-museum/news/nine-things-to-know-about-real-american-freestyle-01) The event ultimately drew 2,400 people, according to a 2026 Axios Cleveland report.[7](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/19/raf-wrestling-hulk-hogan-tickets)\n\nThe promotion continued after the debut. [RAF 02](https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-02) was announced for November 8, 2025, at Penn State University's Rec Hall, and Eric Bischoff confirmed talks with multiple networks about a weekly two-hour series described as a scaled-down version of RAF 01.[11](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/eric-bischoff-confirms-talks-multiple-173732079.html) By August 2026 the promotion had reached its thirteenth showcase, with an anniversary event at Cleveland's Rocket Arena expected to draw as many as 10,000 spectators, and Bronstein reported acquisition interest in the company.[7](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/19/raf-wrestling-hulk-hogan-tickets)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Nine Things to Know About Real American Freestyle 01, National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling)](https://nwhof.org/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-dan-gable-museum/news/nine-things-to-know-about-real-american-freestyle-01)\n2. [Real American Freestyle reveals its exclusive broadcast partner, F4W/WON (Ian Carey)](https://www.f4wonline.com/news/other-wrestling/real-american-freestyle-broadcast-partner/)\n3. [2025 World Team members Woods, Hendrickson, Olympic champion Hildebrandt shine in RAF 01 in Cleveland, TheMat.com (Leah Howard)](https://www.themat.com/news/2025/august/30/2025-world-team-members-woods-hendrickson-olympic-champion-hildebrandt-shine-in-raf-01-in-cleveland)\n4. [RAF Broadcast Partner Announced and More, InterMat (Earl Smith)](https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/49_raf/raf-broadcast-partner-announced-and-more-r100394/)\n5. [Results of Real American Freestyle 1, SoloWrestling (Antonio Rubio)](https://solowrestling.com/us/new/143795-results-of-real-american-freestyle-1)\n6. [Full Real American Freestyle RAF01 Results: Heavyweight Champion Crowned, More, 411Mania (Jeremy Thomas)](https://411mania.com/wrestling/real-american-freestyle-raf01-results/)\n7. [Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year, Axios Cleveland (Troy Smith)](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/19/raf-wrestling-hulk-hogan-tickets)\n8. [Hulk Hogan's new endeavor has Cleveland ties, brother, Axios Cleveland (Troy Smith)](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/18/real-american-freestyle-ohio-hulk-hogan)\n9. [RAF Wrestling Rules: Real American Freestyle Scoring & Format](https://rafwrestling.org/rules/)\n10. [Results From Real American Freestyle 01, FloWrestling (Andrew Spey)](https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14484334-results-from-real-american-freestyle-01)\n11. [Eric Bischoff Confirms Talks With Multiple Networks About Weekly RAF Wrestling Series, Yahoo Sports (Bill Pritchard)](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/eric-bischoff-confirms-talks-multiple-173732079.html)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Unscripted, reality, and web-native series › Celebrity, family, lifestyle, and court reality series › Lifestyle, dating, and docusoaps › Celebrity and family docusoaps*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-01", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-01.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"RAF 01\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-01. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[RAF 01](https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-01)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-01](https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-01). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"RAF 01\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-01. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "RAF 01 was the debut event of Real American Freestyle, a professional freestyle wrestling promotion founded by Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Chad Bronstein, held August 30, 2025 at Cleveland's Wolstein Center, streamed on Fox Nation, and won in the main event by Wyatt Hendrickson over Mostafa Elders 14-1." }