Kurt Angle joins Real American Freestyle Wrestling as commentator

Kurt Angle has joined Real American Freestyle Wrestling as a commentator and partner and made his debut at the promotion's inaugural event in Cleveland on August 30, the Olympic gold medalist said. Angle told interviewer Ariel Helwani that he was first approached about the project by Hulk Hogan before Hogan's death, but he initially declined the offer before later signing on under Hogan's business partner, Chad Bronstein.

Angle said Hogan framed the venture as a departure from mainstream sports entertainment, describing it as a return to freestyle, amateur-style competition. "Brother, I'd love to have you on my team. I'm starting a wrestling promotion," Angle recalled Hogan saying. Angle said he turned the offer down the first time because the initial financial proposal did not match what he believed his involvement warranted. He also said he declined a separate approach from a different group pursuing a similar freestyle concept before reopening negotiations with Hogan.

According to Angle, discussions with Hogan resumed after the other offer but Hogan died during the process of finalizing a contract. Bronstein then completed the agreement and signed Angle. Angle's role with...