Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff Reveal Full Vision for Real American Freestyle

Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are officially back—and this time, they’re taking aim at the world of amateur wrestling. Their latest venture, Real American Freestyle, blends the intense competitiveness of freestyle wrestling with the drama, storytelling, and character-driven energy of pro wrestling and reality television.

In a new Forbes interview with Alfred Konuwa, Hogan and Bischoff detailed their bold plan to revolutionize the sport—and explained why they believe this new concept will turn heads across both the amateur and pro wrestling worlds.

“First off, I’d like to thank you for checking the video out, boss,” Hogan said about the viral nWo-style teaser that announced the new league. “Because we were just trying to wake ‘em up. That’s really going to be an electric shock to everybody, so we’re excited that we’ve got such a great response already.”

Bischoff added that the old-school energy wasn’t an accident. “The video was really Hulk’s idea in the very beginning, and I loved it,” he said. “We knew that Hulk and I together—that’s kind of cool news for people who are fans of the Monday Night Wars and all that—and nWo. But we wanted to get their attention, and that was such a cool way to do it.”

Bischoff continued, “If you look back, one of the things that really changed professional wrestling… it all started with those black and white video montage promos. Given our goals here at Real American Freestyle, that’s exactly what we’re bringing—another level of entertainment while maintaining the credibility of the product. These athletes’ stories have never been told. And I don’t care whether it’s golf, baseball, basketball, the NFL—it’s all driven by the stories. And that’s what we’re going to focus on.”

When asked if Real American Freestyle would be a shoot product with storytelling woven in, both Hogan and Bischoff confirmed: “Exactly,” Bischoff said, with Hogan echoing, “Yes.”

“World-class athletes, elite-level athletes, Olympic-level wrestlers, collegiate champions—but in a professional environment with a lot more entertainment,” Bischoff explained.

Hogan likened the format to something fans of mainstream reality TV would recognize. “Think of The Voice,” Hogan said. “You do the backstories first, so the people care about the athletes. You see where they started, the injuries, the family background—and in the history package, that sets people up to care. Then it’s up to the athletes to perform.”

The Real American Freestyle roster is expected to exceed 40 elite athletes, with early names announced including former UFC star Ben Askren, Olympian Kennedy Blades, and NCAA champion Zahid Valencia.

When Konuwa asked what kind of athlete they’re seeking—those with top-tier credentials, or personalities who naturally leap off the screen—Hogan and Bischoff didn’t hesitate.

“I want them both,” Bischoff said. “All of these athletes are going to be best-in-class. If someone comes with built-in charisma, great. But I also love helping people find their character. Sometimes it’s just about crossing that barrier. Once they do, that character just blooms. Watching that transition and people getting confidence is fun.”

Hogan recalled his early matches with Brock Lesnar to make his point. “I got him first, and it was no picnic, believe me. I wrestled him probably 10 or 12 times. The only way I could get him to lighten up on me, I’d say, ‘OK, Broccoli,’” Hogan laughed. “I said, ‘If you keep doing this crap, you’re going to end up in here by yourself.’ But eventually, I saw him turn into that crazy, over-the-top entertainer—and that’s what we’re going to see here, too.”

“You’re going to see purebreds turn into entertainers as they learn their craft—and now they’re getting paid for it. That’s an incentive too, and one they’ve never had before,” Hogan added.

Bischoff closed it out by reminding readers that the mental makeup of wrestlers makes them perfect for this. “You’ve got to be wired a little differently to reach the elite level. And that creates incredibly unique individuals. What we’re doing is giving them a stage—not just to compete, but to be seen and heard.”

With the Real American Freestyle league backed by Left Lane Capital (investors behind Gerard Piqué’s Kings League, Shaun White’s Snow League, and League One Volleyball), Hogan, Bischoff, and COO Israel “Izzy” Martinez aren’t just playing around. They’re building a new genre—and rewriting what it means to be a professional wrestler.