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2025 wrestling event
RAF 01 was a freestyle wrestling event that took place on August 30, 2025 at the Wolstein Center of Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio.[1]
It was the inaugural flagship event produced by the Real American Freestyle (RAF) promotion, and aired live on Fox Nation.
The event began with a tribute to Real American Freestyle (RAF) co-founder Hulk Hogan, who had died in July 2025.[2]
Commentary for the event’s live Fox Nation broadcast was provided by Kurt Angle, Bubba Jenkins and Chael Sonnen.[3]
Ben Askren was originally supposed to compete on the card, but had to withdraw after suffering complications from pneumonia.[4]
Holly Holm was the surprise replacement for Kennedy Blades, who was not cleared for the event by NCAA.[1] Most Valuable Promotions granted Holm an exemption to compete as Blades’ replacement.[5]
Tito Ortiz challenged Chael Sonnen during the broadcast to a future match, which Sonnen accepted.[6] Mason Parris also challenged RAF Heavyweight Champion Wyatt Hendrickson during the broadcast to a future match, which Hendrickson accepted.[7]
- ^ For the RAF Heavyweight Championship.
- ^ For the RAF Light Heavyweight Championship.
- ^ Holm replaced Kennedy Blades.
- ^ For the RAF Cruiserweight Championship.
- ^ For the RAF Featherweight Championship.
- ^ For the RAF Women’s Strawweight Championship.
- ^ For the RAF Middleweight Championship.
- ^ For the RAF Lightweight Championship.
- ^ For the RAF Bantamweight Championship.
- ^ a b c Gilles, Dan (August 30, 2025). “Real American Freestyle wrestling debuts in Cleveland with Hulk Hogan tribute and 8 title matches”. Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ Harp, Justin (August 30, 2025). “Nick Hogan Honors Hulk Hogan at New Wrestling Promotion Event”. Us Weekly. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ Knight, Cain A. (July 17, 2025). “Kurt Angle officially joins Hulk Hogan’s Real American Freestyle wrestling”. Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ^ Mindenhall, Chuck (August 29, 2025). “Real American Freestyle set to debut amid adversity and loss”. Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Mindenhall, Chuck (September 3, 2025). “The GOAT of women’s combat sports as a whole? Holly Holm has a strong case”. Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
- ^ Flanagan, Neal (August 31, 2025). “Holly Holm competes in surprise match-up at Real American Freestyle debut event, Chael Sonnen accepts challenge from Tito Ortiz”. POST Wrestling. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (August 31, 2025). “FORMER WWE STAR TO COMPETE IN REAL AMERICAN FREESTYLE?, TOP TNA EXEC VISITS AND MORE RAF01 NEWS AND NOTES FOLLOWING DEBUT EVENT”. PWInsider. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
