Kurt Angle Announced For New Hulk Hogan Project
Kurt Angle is joining forces with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff.
Back in April, Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan announced the creation of Real American Freestyle Wrestling alongside MMA veteran Izzy Martinez.
The company is being touted as an “unscripted freestyle wrestling league injected with storytelling and colourful characters.” The promotion has already signed up former UFC star Ben Askren, Olympian Kennedy Blades, and national champion Zahid Valencia.
With the promotion’s first event set to take place on August 30, it’s been announced that WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle will form part of the commentary team.
You can find select portions of the press release from Real American Freestyle Wrestling below.
Tampa, FL (July 17, 2025) – Real American Freestyle, the new, unscripted freestyle wrestling organization, today announced that the legendary Kurt Angle will serve as live event commentator, analyst, and partner for the burgeoning brand – joining Chael Sonnen and Bubba Jenkins for RAF01 on August 30 in Cleveland, OH at the Wolstein Center.
Tickets for the company’s inaugural event are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Angle is regarded as one of the most famous wrestlers of all time, beginning his career by winning gold for the Clarion Golden Eagles at the NCAA Division I Championships in 1990 and 1992, and being named by USA Wrestling as the greatest shoot wrestler of all time and as one of their Top 15 college wrestlers of all time.
Angle went on to win a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics – despite being injured – in Atlanta, Georgia, winning the hearts of the hometown crowd and cementing himself as a star in the sports world overall…
Angle was inducted into the WWE’s Hall of Fame in 2017, the TNA Hall of Fame in 2013, and the Wrestling Observer’s Hall of Fame in 2004. Angle retired from wrestling formally in 2019, making the announcement at WrestleMania 35.
Angle was known for his aggressive style, influenced by the Attitude Era’s elite, including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, and the Rock. Angle will bring experience, energy, and his infamous persona to analysis ringside for Real American Freestyle.
Hulk Hogan Praises “Living Legend” Kurt Angle
Fellow Hall of Famer and Real American Freestyle commisioner Hulk Hogan went on to describe Angle as a “living legend,” and someone who will bring fire and infamy to the promotion.
“Kurt Angle is a living legend. He’s achieved every accomplishment he could in wrestling, so it makes sense that he’s partnering with Real American Freestyle as we actively change the name of the game across the sport.
Kurt will provide fire, infamy, and unparalleled experience to the commentary and analysis of our live events. We couldn’t be more excited to have him on the Real American team.”
For Angle’s part, he said he’s delighted to be involved given his extensive background in freestyle wrestling. He added that he’s excited to bring freestyle wrestling to audiences around the world.
“I grew up freestyle wrestling, and achieved the highest level of success in the sport. I couldn’t be prouder to support athletes at all levels of their careers and partner with Real American Freestyle to make it happen. Chael and Bubba will bring a unique aspect to their analysis given their own backgrounds in combat sports, and I’m excited to join them for RAF01 to bring freestyle wrestling to audiences around the world.”
The announcement comes after Hulk Hogan’s wife was forced to hit back at speculation that he was close to death in the hospital. Sky dismissed rumours that the veteran is in a coma and said he’s simply been recovering from an intense spinal surgery which aimed to resovle serious nerve problems that had casued him to lose the feeling in his hands.