Real American Freestyle Wrestling Is Coming to Milwaukee: A Super Simple Guide

July 17, 2026, 12:54 p.m. CT

Big news for sports fans in Milwaukee! A new kind of wrestling show is coming to town. Let’s break it all down in a way that’s easy to understand.

Quick Facts to Know

Here are the need-to-know points from the start:

• Real American Freestyle (RAF) is a professional, unscripted freestyle wrestling promotion (that means real wrestling, not fake fights).
• The organization was co-founded by the late Hulk Hogan, entrepreneur Chad Bronstein, and coach Izzy Martinez.
• The RAF 11 event will happen on July 18 at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee.
• The event features athletes from college wrestling and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts — like UFC fighting), including Wisconsin folks Ben Askren and Keegan O’Toole.

What Is Real American Freestyle?

Real American Freestyle is a wrestling organization that started in April 2025. Think of it like a place where freestyle wrestlers can become famous stars and get paid to do it — kind of like how MMA fighters earn money.

Important Point: Instead of fighting in a cage or a boxing ring, these athletes wrestle on a mat. So picture a big padded floor, not a steel cage!

Is Real American Freestyle "Pro Wrestling"?

Yes and no:

• Yes, because the athletes are professionals and they get paid.
• No, because it is not scripted (not fake or planned like WWE or old-school AWA shows). The matches are real, even if the people running it have connections to pro wrestling and the show looks flashy.

When Is RAF 11 at the UWM Panther Arena?

RAF 11 is set for:

1. Time: 7 p.m.
2. Day: Saturday, July 18
3. Place: UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, starting at $66.

Who Is Behind Real American Freestyle?

The group was launched by:

• The late Hulk Hogan (yes, the famous wrestling legend)
• Chad Bronstein, an entrepreneur (a business person), who is now the CEO (boss)
• Izzy Martinez, a skilled wrestling coach, who is the COO (second-in-command)
• They also have Eric Bischoff, a long-time pro wrestling figure, as chief media officer (handles TV and video stuff)

Who Competes in Real American Freestyle?

Athletes come from:

• College wrestling
• International freestyle wrestling
• The MMA world (lots of crossover!)

The RAF roster (list of athletes) has:

• 127 men
• 23 women

For RAF 11 in Milwaukee, there are:

• 10 men’s matches
• 2 women’s matches

Big Matches to Watch

• Co-headline 1: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington (catchweight championship)
• Co-headline 2: Ben Askren vs. Belal Muhammad (cruiserweight match)

Ben Askren is 41 years old and is coming back after a double lung transplant last June. He was a WIAA champ from Arrowhead, won NCAA titles at Missouri, went to the Olympics, and was a Bellator MMA champ.

Another Wisconsin name is Keegan O’Toole, Askren’s student. He won four state titles at Arrowhead, went 49-0 as a senior, and won two NCAA titles at Missouri. He will face Chris Minto (from Nebraska, 2026 NCAA silver medalist).

Important Point: Ben Askren is wrestling for the first time since his double lung transplant — that’s a huge deal!

Is Real American Freestyle on TV or Streaming?

You can watch it on Fox Nation, which is a streaming service (like Netflix, but for Fox shows). They are the official home for Real American Freestyle.

Summary

Real American Freestyle is a real, paid, unscripted wrestling league that began in 2025. It was co-founded by Hulk Hogan and others. On July 18, 2026, RAF 11 comes to Milwaukee’s UWM Panther Arena with 12 matches, including comeback stories like Ben Askren’s. Tickets start at $66, and you can stream it on Fox Nation.

FAQ

Q: Is Real American Freestyle fake like WWE?
A: No! It is unscripted and real, though the people in charge have pro-wrestling backgrounds.

Q: Where can I buy tickets for RAF 11?
A: On Ticketmaster, with prices starting at $66.

Q: Who are some famous athletes at RAF 11?
A: Ben Askren, Belal Muhammad, Colby Covington, Arman Tsarukyan, and Wisconsin’s Keegan O’Toole.

Q: Do women compete in RAF?
A: Yes, the RAF roster includes 23 women, and RAF 11 has two women’s matches.