This past Monday in classic NWO style, Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan announced the launch of Real American Freestyle Wrestling League. Initially, Bischoff and Hogan began outlining their vision for the brand new promotion, while revealing their mystery third member to be Izzy Martinez, who’s a freestyle wrestling coach best known for his work with UFC talent, specifically names like Jon Jones and Holly Holm. Following the large announcement, wrestling fans and media alike have had mixed feelings towards Bischoff and Hogan’s idea, including “Wrestling Observer Radio’s” Dave Meltzer, who’s rooting for the WCW legends, but is not highly optimistic about their vision being successful.
“I believe it might be wonderful in the event that they were successful and plenty of the amateur wrestlers were capable of make a greater living.” Meltzer said. “Obviously, the chances are extremely great that it won’t work out but I wish them the perfect because I wish the wrestlers that they are going to hire the perfect … it is very tough, its been tried before repeatedly, its never worked, it appears like someone got conned, but we’ll see.”
Meltzer also mentioned that Hogan’s “Real American Beer” might be behind the brand new company, despite WWE still owning the product, and continues to query who will fund Real American Freestyle Wrestling League on television or streaming.
“It’s a very good shot that they will get television or streaming because there are sports channels that may just pick anything up, it’s live … but paying for it’s a totally different situation.”
Meltzer noted that Eric Bischoff is aware that getting the promotion off the bottom could take some time and might fail at first, especially on the subject of creating wealth on television rights, which is hard to realize with out a proven track record.
When you use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “Wrestling Observer Radio” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
