RAF Returns to Cleveland for Anniversary Event at Rocket Arena

CLEVELAND, OH (March 19, 2026) — Real American Freestyle (RAF), the first unscripted professional freestyle wrestling league and the new home for the sport’s elite, today announced that its one-year anniversary event, RAF12, will take place at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena on Saturday, August 22, streaming live exclusively on FOX Nation.

Twelve events in. One year in. And the fastest-rising league in combat sports returns to where it all started.

RAF12 marks a full-circle moment for a league that has rapidly established itself as wrestling’s new main stage—bringing Olympic medalists, World Champions, NCAA legends, and MMA crossover stars together under one platform, with real stakes, global reach, and a modern fight-night presentation.

In just its first year, RAF has delivered explosive growth across media, merchandising, and distribuiton—generating 200+ billion earned media impressions, 750+ million social views, and surpassing eight figures in both ticketing and merchandise revenue. Beyond live events, RAF has expanded into a broader ecosystem including trading cards, fan zones, and youth wrestling clinics—building a year-round platform for the sport and a destination for young fans and families to participate like never before.

“This is a milestone moment for RAF,” said CEO and Co-Founder Chad Bronstein. “We started this league to give wrestling a true professional home—and one year later, we’re seeing that vision come to life in a big way.” Bronstein, a Cleveland native, adds, “There’s no better place to celebrate that than Cleveland, where it all began, in front of one of the most passionate wrestling communities in the country.”

Rocket Arena—home of the Cleveland Cavaliers—will host RAF’s anniversary event as the city once again takes center stage in the sport. With the NCAA Wrestling Championships taking place in Cleveland this week, the moment reinforces the city’s role as a cornerstone of American wrestling and a fitting backdrop for RAF’s continued rise.

As RAF returns, it does so with global momentum—elevating freestyle wrestling into a premier spectator sport and creating a destination where the best athletes in the world compete year-round.

RAF’s next event will be RAF07, taking place next week, Saturday March 28th at Tampa Bay’s Yuengling Center. The event is headlined by a rematch between Georgio Poullas and Arman Tsarukyan, and co-headlined by Colby Covington taking on Dillon Danis for his RAF debut. Accompanying the headliners will be four championship matches at Cruiserweight, Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, and Women’s Middleweight. Please see the full card here. If you are interested in attending, tickets can be purchased here. If you are interested in covering the event in person from Florida, please contact [email protected].

Following the event on Sunday, March 29th, at Tampa’s Freedom High School, the league will host the first of its new wrestling clinic series in which fans will be able to train with the pros to learn the highest level of freestyle wrestling. These clinics will provide incredible opportunities for young wrestlers in America to meet and work with their heroes, as RAF athletes seek to give back to the wrestling community, and elevate RAF’s mission to inspire the next generation of athletes. Coaches will include a small group focus for aspiring wrestlers led by RAF athletes Kyle Dake, Cayden Henschel, Conor Beebe, Johnni DiJulius, Mugzy. Interested participants can register at the link here.

About Real American Freestyle Real American Freestyle (RAF) is the first unscripted professional freestyle wrestling league—and the new professional home for the sport’s elite. Founded by Chad Bronstein, Israel Martinez, and Eric Bischoff, RAF launched in 2025 to give Olympic champions, World Champions, NCAA standouts, and top MMA crossover athletes a global platform to compete at the highest level.

RAF brings freestyle wrestling to a modern fight-night stage, competing under USA Wrestling rules with real stakes, high-level production, and broadcast storytelling built for today’s audience. RAF allows athletes to build careers, grow personal brands, and reach a global fanbase. All RAF events stream live exclusively on FOX Nation.