Eric Bischoff: Real American Freestyle is ‘the most fun thing I’ve ever done’
Eric Bischoff is having a lot of fun getting Real American Freestyle off the ground.
The new freestyle wrestling venture launched this past weekend with its first show taking place in Cleveland. Following the event, Bischoff spoke with Undisputed about what he feels was a successful first offering from the promotion. Bischoff said being part of RAF is the most fun he’s ever had.
“I’m having the television producer’s equivalent of an after-sex cigarette,” Bischoff said. “I’m so absolutely grateful for [co-founders] Chad Bronstein, Israel Martinez, and obviously Hulk Hogan — I wouldn’t be here without a phone call from Hulk. This has been the most fun thing I’ve ever done.”
Bischoff’s job title in RAF is Chief Media Officer. The organization’s inaugural event doubled as a tribute to Hogan, with a WWE-produced tribute airing on the show and Hogan’s son Nick appearing. Hogan was slated to be the commissioner of RAF prior to his death this July at 71 years old.
November 8 is the expected date for RAF’s next show on Fox Nation, and the promotion is planning to start airing a weekly series in 2026.
Tito Ortiz vs. Chael Sonnen has been set up for the November event. Sonnen is one of the commentators for RAF alongside Bubba Jenkins and WWE legend Kurt Angle. Undisputed asked Bischoff if we could potentially see Angle relive some of his former amateur wrestling glory by competing for RAF.
“Kurt is an elite-of-the-elite level athlete,” Bischoff said. “There is still that competitive drive and desire. We’re seeing it from Tito and Chael, too. I don’t know if Kurt could do it [health wise], but it would be extremely exciting if he did.”
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.