Bischoff-led RAF debuts with Hogan tribute on Fox Nation

Real American Freestyle, a new promotion led in part by longtime wrestling executive Eric Bischoff, staged its inaugural event on August 30 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, streaming live on Fox Nation and selling roughly 3,299 tickets, organizers and independent reporting said. The debut doubled as a tribute to the late Hulk Hogan and set the stage for a November 8 follow up as the promotion moves to build a regular broadcast presence.

Bischoff, who serves as RAF chief media officer, called the launch "the most fun thing I've ever done" and likened the moment to the early days of WCW, saying RAF is aimed at fans who "love wrestling" and want more. "I'm having the television producers equivalent of an aftersex cigarette," he told hosts of Undisputed. Bischoff said Fox representatives were pleased with the launch after meeting with him and cofounder Chad Bronstein, and that WWE executives reached out with congratulations.

On the mat, Wyatt Hendrickson won the promotion's first Heavyweight Championship by defeating Mostafa Elders. Holly Holm, the former UFC champion, stepped in on less than 24 hours notice after Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades was reportedly blocked by...