The wrestling world lost one of its biggest stars when Terry Gene “Hulk Hogan” Bollea passed away at his home in Clearwater, Florida at the age of 71.
As tributes pour in, Hogan’s legacy is celebrated through the very venture he helped create, Real American Freestyle (RAF), which is now set to debut on FOX Nation this August. Just days before his passing, the new wrestling promotion founded by Hogan alongside Eric Bischoff and Chad Bronstein announced that FOX Nation will be the exclusive home to RAF’s inaugural event: RAF01.
“FOX Nation immediately understood the vision we had for Real American Freestyle making them the perfect partner for this historic media rights deal and the first of its kind in the sport,” said Real American Freestyle’s Chief Media Officer, Eric Bischoff. “Having the right broadcast partner is critical to putting on a good show for the fans and we are thrilled to be working with FOX.”
Live from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, August 30, RAF01 will bring its fresh and unique approach to freestyle wrestling by blending the sport’s competitiveness with Hollywood-style storytelling. The first matches announced for the RAF’s debut card include:
- Bo Nickal vs. Jacob Cardenas
- Yianni Diakomihalis vs. Bajrang Punia
- Darrion Caldwell vs. Real Woods
- Austin Gomez vs. Lance Palmer
- Kennedy Blades vs. Alejandra Rivera
- Sarah Hildebrandt vs. Zeltzin Hernandez
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Real American Freestyle team as they build a visionary brand that redefines the future of wrestling. Fusing elite athleticism with unmatched entertainment, it’s an honor to be part of the new era of the world’s oldest and most iconic sport,” said FOX Nation president Lauren Petterson.
FOX Nation will also air the second RAF event scheduled to take place this fall at a venue to be announced at a later date.
“Real American Freestyle is creating something that’s never been done before, and we needed a partner that understood that and could build with us,” said Hulk Hogan, Commissioner of Real American Freestyle. “FOX Nation is synergistic with our brand, they appreciate the importance of bringing this sport to the masses, and they believe in our goal.”
The RAF commentary team will consist of a mix of veteran former athletes across combat sports and entertainment. WWE Hall of Famer, legendary freestyle wrestler, and Olympian Kurt Angle, former MMA champion and broadcast analyst Chael Sonnen, and MMA world champion Bubba Jenkins are set to call the action during RAF01 in Cleveland.
During the 1980s Rock & Wrestling Era, Hogan’s “Hulkamania” carried professional wrestling from regional circuits into the global spotlight. With his iconic red‑and‑yellow gear, larger‑than‑life persona, and signature Atomic Leg Drop, Hogan headlined the inaugural WrestleMania and delivered unforgettable moments, including bodyslamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III.
Known for his “hulking up” and his “Whatcha gonna do, when Hulkmania runs wild on you!” catchphrase, the Hulkster would showcase crossover appeal beyond the mat. He starred in movies, including Rocky III and No Holds Barred, and a family-centered reality series of his own, Hogan Knows Best, while cementing his place in the lore of the wrestling industry, which would see the WWE strike a multi-million dollar deal on Peacock.
Despite his contributions, Hogan’s career was marked by high‑profile controversies over the years. He won a multi-million dollar invasion of privacy lawsuit against Gawker Media in 2012. His reputation took a hit after admissions of past steroid use, incidents involving racially charged language, which led to his temporary dismissal from the WWE and removal from its Hall of Fame. His last appearance in the wrestling conglomerate came earlier this year during the WWE Raw on Netflix premiere.
Hogan was set to be the on-screen commissioner of the RAF, which will now debut and air on FOX Nation posthumously. With DIRECTV, Fubo, YouTube TV, or the standalone FOX Nation streaming service, on August 30, fans can tune in on their favorite device, including Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV to witness the spirit of “Hulkamania” live in every takedown, pin, and victory chant to the the thunderous roar of the crowd.
Terry Bollea made a career with his trademark “brother” quips after promos and his in-ring showmanship. Now, his RAF legacy will serve as a launchpad for wrestling’s next generation.