Hulk Hogan’s Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling series is off to a strong start six months following the wrestling legend’s death. As a result, FOX Nation is upping its commitment to the fledgling league.
FOX Nation announced an expanded partnership with Real American Freestyle on Thursday, cementing itself as the exclusive home of RAF for the foreseeable future.
“We’re incredibly proud of what has been built over the first five events and the strong momentum Real American Freestyle has generated,” said FOX Nation President Lauren Patterson in a press release shared with Men’s Journal. “They have been great partners who share our commitment to delivering premium content, and we look forward to expanding this relationship as the league continues to grow.”
What is Real American Freestyle?
RAF debuted on FOX Nation on August 30, 2025, a little more than a month after Hogan passed away at the age of 71 following a heart attack.
Described as the “first unscripted pro wrestling league for the best athletes in the world,” Real American Freestyle features current NCAA wrestlers, as well as former collegiate and Olympic competitors.
““Wrestling has always been about grit, sacrifice and raw determination. But for too long, athletes who give everything to the sport have not had an opportunity to pursue professional careers,” the league’s official website says. “Real American Freestyle was built to change that – to provide a platform for the best wrestlers in the world.”
Hogan co-founded the endeavor in April 2025, alongside CEO Chad Bronstein, Chief Media Officer Eric Bischoff and Chief Operating Officer Izzy Martinez. He served as commissioner of RAF until his death.
Real American Freestyle has been a boon for Fox Nation
In less than six months of existence, RAF has been a major subscription driver for FOX Nation. Earlier this month, the series’ most recent event, RAF05, spearheaded the platform’s largest day of subscriber growth in over a year.
“This extension reflects the momentum we’ve been building since the first event and the incredible partnership we’ve developed,” Bronstein said Thursday. “FOX Nation saw early on that there was an opportunity to give elite wrestling a true professional platform, and the audience response has continued to grow with each show.”
What’s next?
RAF06 is set for Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona on February 28, with international events on tap for later this year.
Additionally, FOX Nation will launch a new special, titled “RAF: Wrestling’s Greatest Takedowns,” next Thursday, January 29. The program will be hosted by UFC standout Colby Covington.
