Latest news with #EricBischoff
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eric Bischoff Believes TNA Can Surpass AEW As The Number Two Wrestling Promotion In A Year
Eric Bischoff sees things in TNA Wrestling's future that not many people would believe. WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff was a recent guest on The Ariel Helwani Show. While discussing TNA, Bischoff praised the company for making small moves to rebuild their perception within the industry. 'They're making a lot of smart decisions,' Eric Bischoff said. 'I remember when Carlos came on, they made an announcement when Carlos came on, and I was like, okay. We'll see what happens. But they're making a lot of — they're growing incrementally, right? And they're doing it almost quietly. They're not out there thumping their chests and talking about taking down the competition and all the crazy stuff that, for example, AEW did in the very beginning. 'They're just quietly going about their business, producing great shows, bringing in great talent, and getting involved with great partnerships. They're growing their business. And that's the part that excites me, watching a business grow, especially a wrestling business. I got a little bit of an affinity for it, so it's been fun watching TNA grow.' Bischoff would go on to say that he believes the company is one deal away from being a major player, referring to a broadcast deal for their weekly show, TNA iMPACT. 'They're one deal away from being a major player,' Eric Bischoff said. 'If they get a broadcast partner, if they get the right broadcast situation, because they've got the product. They know what they're doing. There's a good team of people. They just need a bigger platform. And if they get it, watch them take off.' Eric Bischoff believes TNA can surpass AEW by this time next year When asked if they could at some point pass AEW to become the number two wrestling promotion, Bischoff believes they could by this time next year with the right TV deal. 'By this time next year,' Eric Bischoff claimed. 'I think so. Depends on a TV deal. If the TV deal isn't a big one, damn near impossible. But what's number two? By what revenue? By what measure do we define a number two? But I think in terms of television ratings, popularity, yeah, they could be number two in a minute.' When asked what TNA is doing right that AEW isn't, Bischoff took to time to fire shots at the promotion. 'They're just doing the basics,' Eric Bischoff said. 'They're doing the basics and producing a show for the mainstream wrestling audience, not for that 10% hardcore sicko that everybody thinks is a cool demo, because it's not.' READ MORE: Eric Bischoff Explains Why He Continues To Stand By Hulk Hogan What do you make of Eric Bischoff's comments? Do you really think TNA could surpass AEW in a year? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section post Eric Bischoff Believes TNA Can Surpass AEW As The Number Two Wrestling Promotion In A Year appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eric Bischoff: 'TNA can surpass AEW within the next year'
Eric Bischoff, chief media officer of Real American Freestyle Wrestling, joins in-studio to get into signing with Fox Nation, the stress of launching a promotion, signing Bo Nickal, Hulk Hogan's involvement, and stories from his time with WWE and WCW.
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
FOX NATION TEAMS UP WITH HULK HOGAN AND ERIC BISCHOFF AS EXCLUSIVE PARTNER FOR "REAL AMERICAN FREESTYLE"
FOX Nation Strikes Deal to Become Broadcast Partner for Inaugural Matches NEW YORK, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FOX Nation has signed its second deal in the live sports arena, entering the ring as the exclusive broadcast partner for WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff and Chad Bronstein's Real American Freestyle (RAF), announced FOX Nation president Lauren Petterson. Through this new partnership, FOX Nation will broadcast the highly anticipated inaugural matchup event 'RAF01' that will take place on Saturday, August 30th at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, OH. FOX Nation has also secured the broadcast rights to the second event, which will take place this fall, with a venue to be announced at a later date. In making the announcement, Petterson said, 'We're thrilled to partner with the Real American Freestyle team as they build a visionary brand that redefines the future of wrestling. Fusing elite athleticism with unmatched entertainment, it's an honor to be part of the new era of the world's oldest and most iconic sport.' 'Real American Freestyle is creating something that's never been done before, and we needed a partner that understood that and could build with us,' said Hulk Hogan, Commissioner of Real American Freestyle. 'FOX Nation is synergistic with our brand, they appreciate the importance of bringing this sport to the masses, and they believe in our goal.' 'FOX Nation immediately understood the vision we had for Real American Freestyle making them the perfect partner for this historic media rights deal and the first of its kind in the sport,' said Real American Freestyle's Chief Media Officer, Eric Bischoff. 'Having the right broadcast partner is critical to putting on a good show for the fans and we are thrilled to be working with FOX.' 'Our goal in creating Real American Freestyle was to make historical moves to professionalize the sport of wrestling,' said Chad Bronstein, co-founder and CEO of Real American Freestyle. 'This partnership with FOX Nation will create a platform the athletes deserve and bring freestyle wrestling to our fans at home.' Real American Freestyle is redefining wrestling coverage with a bold, modern approach and a mission to professionalize the sport. Led by icons Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, Chad Bronstein and Izzy Martinez, the brand brings a reimagined style of storytelling that blends fierce competition with top-tier entertainment. This new partnership will bring FOX Nation subscribers an exhilarating experience, packed with action and an immersive show atmosphere. Recently, the RAF team welcomed legendary wrestler and Olympian Kurt Angle, former MMA champion and renowned broadcast analyst Chael Sonnen, and MMA world champion Bubba Jenkins, as live event commentators to provide expertise analysis during RAF01. In collaboration with the UFC, USA Wrestling, NIL organizations and the NCAA, RAF creates a groundbreaking platform where athletes — from emerging talents to established stars — can compete regardless of their status, opening new doors for the next generation of wrestling greats. Proceeds for each ticket sold have been pledged to Cleveland State University to continue its role as a pillar of the Cleveland community. A staunch supporter of local athletes and wrestlers across the city in particular, Cleveland State University has provided opportunities for thousands of its students to achieve academic and athletic excellence. The first matches for RAF01, RAF's debut fight card, include: Bo Nickal vs. Jacob Cardenas Yianni Diakomihalis vs. Bajrang Punia Darrion Caldwell vs. Real Woods Austin Gomez vs. Lance Palmer Kennedy Blades vs. Alejandra Rivera Sarah Hildebrandt vs. Zeltzin Hernandez Further matches are in development, including a featured, main card bout. FOX Nation is a direct-to-consumer on-demand streaming service designed to complement the FOX News Channel experience with a members-only destination for its most passionate and loyal super fans. Featuring more than 10,000 hours of content, the subscription service includes lifestyle and entertainment content, as well as historical documentaries and investigative series from a multitude of FOX News personalities. Morning Consult named FOX Nation as one of the top 10 fastest-growing brands in 2023 among Gen Z adults, with the platform placing in the top 15 overall. Launched in 2018, FOX Nation is available at and via app for iOS devices, Android devices, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One, FuboTV, Vizio TVs, and Samsung TVs, as well as DIRECTV, DIRECTV STEAM, YouTube TV, Comcast Xfinity, Cox Contour, The Roku Channel, DISH and SLING. FOX Nation Media Contact: Alexandra Coscia: 212.301.3272 or
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle Announces Fight Card For Debut Event
Real American Freestyle just got more real. Next month, WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff will provide fans with the first look at their new collaborative project, Real American Freestyle. The unscripted freestyle wrestling league will hold its inaugural event at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland on August 30. Advertisement Per a press release, we now also know the first matches on RAF's debut fight card: Bo Nickal vs. Jacob Cardenas Yianni Diakomihalis vs. Bajrang Punia Darrion Caldwell vs. Real Woods Austin Gomez vs. Lance Palmer Kennedy Blades vs. Alejandra Rivera Sarah Hildebrandt vs. Zeltzin Hernandez Further matchups are expected to be announced soon, one of which is said to be a 'featured, main card bout.' 'We set out to make history with Real American Freestyle and with these matches, we're doing just that,' said RAF's Chief Operating Officer Izzy Martinez. 'We've got the best wrestlers, the best promoters, the best storytellers, the best production, and the best team, and we're going to give audiences the thrill of a lifetime on August 30 with RAF01.' MMA star Bo Nickal confirmed his signing with Real American Freestyle earlier this month, noting that he was excited to trade in his fight gloves for a singlet and shoes. Nickal, a native of State College, PA, remained undefeated in his MMA career up until last year. Advertisement Hulk Hogan, a decorated WWE Champion, serves as the Commissioner of Real American Freestyle. Meanwhile, former WCW President Eric Bischoff has taken on the role as the organization's Chief Media Officer. Former MMA championship fighter and broadcast analyst Chael Sonnen has come aboard as the live event commentator. RELATED: Hulk Hogan Opening Huge Sports Bar Near Madison Square Garden The post Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle Announces Fight Card For Debut Event appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC Star Returning to the Wrestling Mats, Joining Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle Wrestling Promotion
UFC Star Returning to the Wrestling Mats, Joining Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle Wrestling Promotion originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC middleweight Bo Nickal is looking for more competition. Advertisement Earlier today, it was announced that Nickal has signed with Real American Freestyle, a new professional wrestling organization led by WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Israel Martinez. "Bo Nickal is a tremendous athlete and one of the most accomplished wrestlers on the planet,' Hogan, the commissioner of Real American Freestyle, said in a statement released today. 'Nickal immediately elevates the RAF roster to new heights with his competitiveness and experience. When fans attend an RAF event, they know they're going to see the best of the best on the mat.' Nickal, who is 7-1 as a professional in mixed martial arts (MMA), was a three-time national champion at Penn State, and at the time of his signing with the UFC, he was a massive prospect. He fought twice in the amateurs before turning professional. Advertisement The 29-year-old earned a UFC roster spot through Dana White's Contender Series, winning by submission in consecutive fights in 2022. He made his UFC debut in March 2023 and won his first four fights inside the octagon before losing for the first time this past May to former ONE two-division champion Reinier De Ridder. During an appearance today on 'The Ariel Helwani Show,' Nickal explained why he's interested in being active within each promotion. 'At the end of the day, my contract with the UFC, I'm going to be fighting MMA with them, and then I think at the same time, there's room for me to compete in wrestling. You see a lot of guys doing jiu-jitsu matches or wherever it is. I just have the fire in me to compete as much as I can, and realistically, with fighting, I've been getting two fights a year. I think that's going to be the trend, which is fine with me,' Nickal said. 'But I'm 29 years old in my prime, and I'm just fired up to compete. The thing about a wrestling match is that it's so different from a fight in the preparation. I could step on the mat right now with no warmup and compete with the best guys in the world." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
