411MANIA | More Details On Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff’s Real American Freestyle Wrestling
Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff announced that they will launch Real American Freestyle Wrestling with Izzy Martinez...
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As noted earlier today, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff announced that they will launch Real American Freestyle Wrestling with Izzy Martinez. The Associated Press has more details on the promotion and the roles that the men will take on.
The first event happens on August 30 in Cleveland. It will feature single matches in eight men’s and four women’s weight classes. Other locations and shows will be announed in the future.
Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades will be the face of the women’s division while Zahid Valencia and Ben Askren will be in the men’s division. Hogan also said that Wyatt Hendrickson and Gable Steveson are possible for the roster.
Hogan will be the league’s commissioner and his Real American Beer will be the sponsor. Cassius will also sponsor. Martinez will be the chief operating officer. Bischoff will be the chief media officer. Chad Bronstein is the co-founder and president. It will be backed by Left Lane Capital, who also backed Gerard Piqué’s Kings League, Shaun White’s Snow League and League One Volleyball.
Here are highlights of the AP’s interview with Hogan about the project:
On if freestyle wrestlers can connect with people the same way pro wrestlers can: “Dude, they’ve all got that edge. 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.”
On fans who are surprised his promotion isn’t professional wrestling: “The idea was so exciting that I get a chance to be involved with all these young people and help guide them in any way, especially to make them huge stars and create a future for them,” he said. “People might be surprised, but wrestling is wrestling, brother.”
On Eric Bischoff’s involvement: “Eric jumped in with both feet, and he’s doing a lot to guide this ship right now, brother. 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.”
