Category: Wrestling News

Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff Launch Real American Freestyle Wrestling League

Wrestling fans were thrown for a loop this week when WWE legends Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff teased a major announcement with a cryptic nWo-style video on social media. Given Bischoff’s prominent role in the podcasting world, most assumed the pair were reviving something audio-based, perhaps with frequent collaborator Conrad Thompson. But when the curtain was pulled back, the surprise was something no one saw coming: a brand-new freestyle wrestling league.

On Wednesday morning, Hogan and Bischoff revealed the launch of the Real American Freestyle Wrestling League (RAFWL), a new organization focused on amateur-style freestyle wrestling. Joining them as the all-important “third man” is Izzy Martinez, a renowned freestyle coach who’s trained top UFC talent like Jon Jones and Holly Holm — the latter of whom he coached to her legendary upset victory over Ronda Rousey.

In interviews with both the Associated Press and Forbes, Hogan explained that the idea for RAFWL sparked earlier this year while watching Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Henderson defeat Gable Steveson at the NCAA Championships. That bout, which saw a college standout topple a former WWE star and Olympic gold medalist, inspired Hogan to explore a new vision for the sport. Now, he, Bischoff, and Martinez are aiming to build something big, and they’re already eyeing both Henderson and Steveson for involvement in the league.

RAFWL is set to feature eight men’s weight classes and four women’s divisions, with Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades already confirmed as part of the roster. Hogan has declared Blades the “face” of the women’s division — a bold move signaling their commitment to showcasing high-level female athletes from the jump.

The league’s leadership structure is also coming into focus: Hogan will act as commissioner, while Martinez has been named Chief Operating Officer. Bischoff’s role remains a bit mysterious for now, though Hogan noted he’ll be contributing on the production side, which makes sense given Bischoff’s long history behind the camera.

The first RAFWL event is scheduled for August 30 in Cleveland, Ohio, with additional shows expected to be announced in the coming months. While the transition from sports entertainment to true freestyle wrestling might seem like a curveball, Hogan and Bischoff have never been afraid to disrupt the status quo — and with a proven coach like Martinez steering the ship, this may just be the beginning of something big.

Are Hogan and Bischoff about to shake up wrestling all over again — this time, on the mat instead of the mic? We’ll find out soon enough.

WWE Hall of Famer Reveals He Broke Both of His Heels at MLW Battle Riot VII

WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam shocked fans recently with a painful revelation: he broke both of his heels during his surprise appearance at MLW Battle Riot VII earlier this month. The injury occurred during the April 5 event in Los Angeles, and RVD opened up about the incident on the latest episode of his One Of A Kind podcast.

RVD entered the chaotic 40-man Battle Riot match as the final surprise entrant at #40, only to be eliminated by eventual winner Matt Riddle. The injury happened in the final moments of the night when Riddle shoved him off the top rope. Van Dam landed on his feet, but not in the way he intended.

“A lot of people don’t know that I got hurt because it was the very last move in the night. But I went up to the top rope and Matt Riddle pushed me off and then I landed on my feet. Normally I kind of like, hug the guardrail and my weight goes into it. This one I must have misjudged it a little bit, and I just landed on my feet...both heels blew. I thought that my ankles were sprained. I crawled out of there. I haven’t been able to walk since. And so I got the x-rays, both heels broke. It’s not something that I’m not used to, I kind of routinely kind of go through this thing, but, man, it definitely made me cancel a lot of plans that I had for the next few months and Wrestlecon and WrestleMania week, I made it through all the obligations.”

Despite the injury, RVD still managed to honor a handful of commitments during WrestleMania week, including WrestleCon appearances. However, he admitted that the break has forced him to cancel several plans moving forward.

RVD, known for his high-risk, high-impact style, has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his legendary career. But breaking both heels in one move is a rare and brutal reminder of the toll pro wrestling can take — even on the most seasoned veterans.

Naomi Opens Up About Nearing The End Of Her Wrestling Career, Wants To Be A Mother

During a heartfelt conversation with The Bella Twins, Naomi revealed that she’s preparing for life after wrestling as she hopes to start a family soon.

Naomi pointed out that she is currently 37 and has a limited timeframe remaining to start a family.

She said, “I always wanted kids young. I always wanted a lot. Your girl is getting up there. I’m 37. Time. I’ve got to figure this out like yesterday. I’m asking myself and struggling with that question. I’m definitely leaning towards it, but I’ve had health issues. I only have one ovary. Even if I wanted to continue wrestling longer, my biological clock, I can’t. We got a lot to figure out. I have to step away and take care of my health and myself. If we’re going to have kids, I have to start that process very soon. With that on my mind and on my plate, I think that makes my time left here even more special and valuable to me. That’s why I’m so passionate about what I’m doing because I think this might be it.”

Steve “Mongo” McMichael Passes Away at 67 After Courageous Battle With ALS

The wrestling and sports worlds are mourning the loss of a true warrior today, as Steve “Mongo” McMichael has passed away at the age of 67. The former Chicago Bears defensive standout, turned WCW star, died Wednesday following a four-year fight with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

McMichael’s legacy spans far beyond the gridiron. A cornerstone of the legendary 1985 Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears—famously dubbed the “Monsters of the Midway”—McMichael was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. But wrestling fans remember him just as fondly for his larger-than-life persona in the squared circle.

“Mongo” made a smooth transition from football to pro wrestling in the mid-90s, becoming a colorful figure in WCW. He initially joined the promotion as a commentator but quickly stepped into the ring, aligning himself with one of the most iconic factions in wrestling history: The Four Horsemen. During his in-ring tenure, McMichael captured the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship in 1997 by defeating Jeff Jarrett, a moment that cemented his place in wrestling lore.

McMichael’s later years were marked by a brave public battle with ALS, which he was diagnosed with in 2021. His health struggles became increasingly severe, and earlier this year he was hospitalized with MRSA and required a blood transfusion. On Wednesday, reports emerged that McMichael had entered hospice care after being taken off a ventilator. His passing was confirmed by WGN’s Jarrett Payton, who was with him during his final moments.

“With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with ALS surrounded by loved ones,” Payton posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family in your prayers.”

From hard-hitting tackles to Horsemen beatdowns, Steve McMichael lived every moment with intensity and charisma. Whether you knew him from Soldier Field or the WCW ring, “Mongo” left a lasting impression. His resilience, both as an athlete and as a man fighting a devastating disease, will not be forgotten.

WWE issued the following statement on Mongo’s passing on X (formerly Twitter):

“WWE is saddened to learn that Steve “Mongo” McMichael has passed away. WWE extends its condolences to McMichael’s family, friends, and fans.”

JD McDonagh Returns on Raw, Helps Dominik Mysterio Retain IC Title

Another familiar face is back on the red brand. JD McDonagh made his surprise return to WWE on the Raw After WrestleMania, jumping right into the action to lend a controversial hand to his Judgment Day ally, Dominik Mysterio.

Monday’s show in Las Vegas featured Dominik’s first Intercontinental Championship defense, just 24 hours removed from his WrestleMania 41 win. He faced off against a debuting Penta, who seemed moments away from dethroning the newly minted champ—until McDonagh made his presence felt.

With the referee conveniently distracted, McDonagh struck, laying out Penta and clearing the path for Dominik to hit his trademark frog splash for the pinfall victory. The assist wasn’t just McDonagh’s way of reasserting himself in the storyline—it was a clear signal that despite recent fractures within The Judgment Day, some alliances are still holding strong.

This marks McDonagh’s first appearance since suffering serious injuries back in January. The Irish star was sidelined with broken ribs and a punctured lung following a tag team match on the January 27 edition of Raw, where he teamed with Dominik against The War Raiders. His return couldn’t come at a more chaotic time.

The Judgment Day has been anything but unified lately. Finn Balor, long seen as the group’s leader, has been increasingly isolated and is now teasing a possible move against Dominik’s newly won Intercontinental Title. That development throws McDonagh’s return into an even more intriguing light—especially given his past loyalty to Balor.

Is McDonagh still loyal to the original Judgment Day architect, or is he staking his future alongside the group’s younger rising star? With tension boiling over and championship gold now in the mix, don’t be surprised if McDonagh finds himself caught between two Judgment Day forces in the very near future.

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII Results

GCW held their event Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII Thursday night at the Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Here are results:

  • Leyla Hirsch def. Jordan Blade via TKO
  • Maika def. Karmen Petrovic via submission
  • Charlie Dempsey def. Shinya Aoki via TKO
  • Karrion Kross def. JR Kratos via submission
  • Pete Dunne def. Timothy Thatcher via submission
  • Natalya def. Miyu Yamashita via submission
  • Tavion Heights def. Royce Isaacs via TKO
  • Shayna Baszler def. Komani via TKO
  • Zack Sabre Jr. def. Jonathan Gresham via KO. The match went to a time limit draw, resulting in a five-minute overtime.
  • Gabe Kidd def. Josh Barnett via TKO

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII 4/17/2025 (Card)

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII – Thursday, April 17, 2025 –
Pearl Theater At Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas

CARD

  • Royce Isaacs vs. Tavion Heights
  • Shayna Baszler vs. Konami
  • Josh Barnett vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jonathan Gresham
  • JR Kratos vs. Karrion Kross
  • Maika vs. Karmen Petrovic
  • Charlie Dempsey vs. Shinya Aoki
  • Nattie Neidhart vs. Miyu Yamashita
  • Leyla Hirsch vs. Jordan Blade
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Pete Dunne

WWE NXT Preview 4/1/2025

WWE NXT live tonight on The CW.

  • WWE NXT North American Championship: Shawn Spears (c) vs. Ricky Saints
  • Trick Williams calls out NXT Champion Oba Femi
  • It’s very likely that Darkstate will continue to make their presence known
  • What’s next for the Women’s NXT and Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer

Rey Fenix Set for WWE SmackDown Debut Next Week

The WWE roster just got even more exciting, as Rey Fenix is officially set to debut on SmackDown next week. The announcement was made during WWE SmackDown in London, England, confirming that the high-flying luchador will appear on the blue brand when WWE returns to the United States ahead of WrestleMania 41.

Rey Fenix Keeps His Name in WWE

After weeks of video teases and reports of his WWE signing, fans were eager to see what name Fenix would use in his new home. Unlike his brother and longtime tag partner Penta—formerly Pentagon Jr., whose name was shortened upon joining WWE Raw—Fenix will continue wrestling under the Rey Fenix moniker.

The decision follows a recent trend of WWE tweaking names for incoming talent. Former AEW star Ricky Starks, for example, recently rebranded as Ricky Saints upon joining WWE NXT. However, Fenix keeping his established ring name suggests WWE recognizes his international appeal.

Fenix’s Path to WWE

Fenix’s jump to WWE comes after months of speculation regarding his AEW status. AEW President Tony Khan initially extended Fenix’s contract due to injury time, preventing him from signing with WWE alongside his brother, Penta. However, Khan ultimately reversed his stance and granted Fenix his release in early May, paving the way for his WWE debut.

Reports had circulated that the Lucha Bros were in discussions with WWE before their AEW contracts expired, making Fenix’s arrival in WWE highly anticipated. With his explosive lucha libre style and a resume that includes championship reigns across multiple promotions, Fenix could quickly become a major player on SmackDown.

What’s Next for Rey Fenix?

Now that Fenix is officially WWE-bound, the big question is: How will he be introduced? Will he immediately enter the singles scene, or will WWE reunite the Lucha Bros on-screen? With WrestleMania 41 just around the corner, there’s no better time for Fenix to make an impact.

Fans won’t have to wait long to find out—Rey Fenix makes his WWE debut next Friday on SmackDown!

WWE Introduces New SmackDown Ring Announcer Mark Shunock (Mark Nash)

WWE’s blue brand is getting a fresh voice, as Mark Shunock has officially been named the new ring announcer for Friday Night SmackDown. Shunock, a seasoned host with experience in sports and entertainment, is set to bring his signature energy to WWE starting this week.

Mark Shunock Steps Into the WWE Spotlight

Shunock made the big announcement himself on social media, posting on X:

“Stepping into a new ring with @WWE. Thrilled to join Friday Night SmackDown. Mark ‘Nash’ will see you tomorrow night @TheO2. #WWE #WWESmackDown #SmackDown #RingAnnouncer”

With Alicia Taylor handling duties on Raw and Mike Rome on NXT, Shunock now completes WWE’s ring announcer lineup across all three major brands.

A Voice with Experience

While this may be Shunock’s first role with WWE, he’s no stranger to hyping up a live crowd. A former Canadian Hockey League player turned performer, he has an extensive background in both entertainment and sports announcing.

Fans may recognize him from his time as the in-arena host for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. He has also worked as the ring announcer and host for Top Rank Boxing, bringing excitement to some of the biggest fights in the sport.

Replacing a WWE Veteran

Shunock takes over the SmackDown ring announcer role from Lillian Garcia, who has been handling the position since early January. Before that, Garcia was the voice of Raw following her return to WWE in late 2023.

With his mix of sports, theater, and hosting experience, Shunock seems like a natural fit to carry the energy of SmackDown into this new era. Fans will get their first taste of his WWE debut at The O2 Arena in London, where he’ll introduce the superstars of Friday Night SmackDown.