RAF and WWE Pay Tribute to Hulk Hogan with Inaugural Event

RAF Pays Tribute to Hulk Hogan with WWE Collaboration

Real American Freestyle (RAF) Wrestling joins World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for a touching video tribute to the late commissioner Hulk Hogan. This tribute will be broadcast during RAF’s inaugural event on Saturday. Hogan, a key figure in the expansion of the then World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s, passed away on July 24 at the age of 71. The event, which will take place at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, will be broadcast via FOX Nation. Months before his passing, Hogan expressed his enthusiasm to The Associated Press about RAF, his new company co-founded with Chad Bronstein. Bronstein, also CEO of RAF, assured that Hogan’s influence will remain fundamental to the company.

“I was super proud. He was a great friend, mentor, and business partner. And his voice will be very present; this league will find unique ways to incorporate him.”

Chad Bronstein

The relationship between RAF and WWE is cordial. Real American Beer, the main sponsor of RAF, is 10% owned by WWE and was also co-founded by Bronstein.

“We don’t compete with them. They support us a lot. There is no competition because they are two totally different groups. The same goes for the UFC, we are not competition.”

Chad Bronstein

Kurt Angle, American Olympic gold medalist and one of WWE’s biggest stars in the early 2000s, will be in charge of the commentary. Bronstein revealed that Hogan suggested involving Angle. In addition, former WWE manager Jimmy Hart and former world champion John Layfield will also participate in Saturday’s event. The main event will pit Wyatt Hendrickson against Mostafa Aly Elsayed Gabr Elders of Egypt. Other men’s matches include Bo Nickal vs. Jacob Cardenas; Yianni Diakomihalis vs. Bajrang Punia; Darrion Caldwell vs. Real Woods; and Austin Gomez vs. Lance Palmer. Scheduled women’s matches are Kennedy Blades vs. Alejandra Rivera and Sarah Hildebrandt vs. Zeltzin Hernandez.