WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff, renowned for revolutionizing professional wrestling during his WCW tenure, has recently shared insightful comparisons between launching Real American Freestyle (RAF) and his experiences starting WCW. Following RAF’s successful inaugural event in Cleveland, Ohio, Bischoff highlighted how his approach to building WCW’s alternative wrestling product is mirrored in this new freestyle wrestling venture.
In a revealing interview on the Undisputed podcast, Bischoff explained that both WCW and RAF tapped into underserved wrestling markets, tailoring content to fans craving more authentic and competitive wrestling experiences. “We found our sweet spot in WCW by appealing to an underserved market,” Bischoff said. “At the time, it was the 18-49-year-old male demo, which was completely neglected by WWE. They were focused on a teen and pre-teen audience … With WCW, we went in a different direction–and it worked. With Real American Freestyle, we are focused on an audience that loves wrestling. That audience wants more, and we’re going to give it to them. We’re also going to deliver a product that combat sports fans can sink their teeth into”[1].
RAF’s debut event held at the Wolstein Center showcased a unique blend of amateur wrestling’s top talent, including the likes of Bo Nickal and Holly Holm, complemented by commentary from celebrated figures like Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle and MMA legend Chael Sonnen. This blend underscored the promotion’s commitment to elevating freestyle wrestling to a professional stage infused with high production values and entertainment elements, an ethos Bischoff has always championed.
Bischoff, who serves as RAF’s Chief Media Officer, described the experience as “the most fun thing I’ve ever done” in his career, crediting co-founders Chad Bronstein and Israel Martinez alongside the late Hulk Hogan for making this vision a reality. Hogan, who was slated to be the commissioner of RAF before his passing in July 2025, was honored during the debut with a WWE-produced tribute video and an appearance by his son, Nick Hogan, further cementing his influence on the project[2][3][4].
Looking forward, RAF plans to build on its momentum with a second event scheduled for November 8 at the Bryce Jordan Center in Pennsylvania, which will air on Fox Nation. This upcoming show is anticipated to feature a high-profile match between MMA veterans Tito Ortiz and Chael Sonnen, a storyline developed from Sonnen’s challenge on the debut card. Bischoff also teased the possibility of Kurt Angle returning to in-ring competition, emphasizing Angle’s elite athleticism and competitive spirit but expressing uncertainty about his health and readiness[1][2][3].
This progression echoes Bischoff’s approach during WCW’s early days, blending top-tier athleticism with charismatic personalities and storytelling that reached beyond traditional wrestling audiences. RAF promises to continue this hybrid of sport and spectacle, aiming to satisfy die-hard wrestling enthusiasts while appealing to combat sports fans more broadly.
Sources close to RAF revealed to Fightful that plans are underway to launch a weekly show in 2026, further expanding the promotion’s presence and deepening engagement with its fanbase. The strategic combination of authentic freestyle wrestling techniques with dynamic production and compelling narratives echoes Bischoff’s historic formula for success and points toward a promising future for RAF[2][3].
Eric Bischoff’s reflections on RAF’s beginnings and the parallels with WCW’s genesis provide valuable insight into his enduring vision for wrestling entertainment — a passion project that preserves the sport’s integrity while innovating for contemporary audiences.
If quoting Bischoff, please credit “Undisputed” with a hat tip to Wrestling Inc. for transcription accuracy.