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Real American Freestyle: Interesting

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Crablegs1

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I’m interested in this and hope it does well. It’s not the greatest card, but is pretty good for a first time event. Hope they can continue to get better and get more top matches.

An event in Iowa would be fun!
 
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maxpain

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Jul 6, 2006
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I was just looking into how to watch this found out Military/Veterans and 1st responders get the 1st year free. I just did it and it worked for me so that’s a pretty good deal.

It would be great to see RAF catch on. It seems like the best pro league attempt in recent history with the amount of ph publicity it’s garnered.
 
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HawkAlum2002

Senior
Oct 18, 2017
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Not sure why the NCAA waited until the the day before to decide Kennedy Blades wouldn't be allowed to wrestle, but Holly Holm filling in and giving it a good effort was a pretty cool surprise. Pretty good debut show, like to see Nolf get another shot at Wick since he only came out of retirement a short time ago, didn't seem to have the stamina to hang on but was still a great match. Dake looked really good and Nickel-Cardenas was an exciting finish. The only men's weight class they didn't crown was at 125, hoping it's because they are waiting to try and sign a certain guy after he wins a World title in a month. Wishful thinking on my part anyway.
 
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ScottishSteel

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Oct 18, 2021
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HawkAlum2002 said:
Not sure why the NCAA waited until the the day before to decide Kennedy Blades wouldn't be allowed to wrestle, but Holly Holm filling in and giving it a good effort was a pretty cool surprise. Pretty good debut show, like to see Nolf get another shot at Wick since he only came out of retirement a short time ago, didn't seem to have the stamina to hang on but was still a great match. Dake looked really good and Nickel-Cardenas was an exciting finish. The only men's weight class they didn't crown was at 125, hoping it's because they are waiting to try and sign a certain guy after he wins a World title in a month. Wishful thinking on my part anyway.
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Aedon Sinclair pulled out for the NCAA reason a fair bit ago; don't know if Iowa compliance thought they had a viable work around or if RAF knew for a while Blades was going to be out and decided to make a show of it
 
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maxpain

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aije said:
Agreed.
And now Tito Ortiz is calling out Chael Sonnen for a RAF match.
Seriously?
Way too many WWE and UFC vibes for me. If this is the way to reach the masses, I would rather see freestyle wrestling remain a niche sport.
Other opinions might be different.
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I agree it’s pretty corny but I view it as a necessary evil. Get some eyeballs on it and garner some publicity while hopefully building the brand of the legit guys to keep it sustainable after the novelty guys are out. That is the only way to really grow a pro league and even that might not work.

Like you said, to each their own though.

Plus, Chael is basically an honorary Hawkeye at this point so it would be some great content if he comes and trains with the HWC prior to the Tito match. Could you imagine Terry in his corner? Pure gold.
 
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HawkeyeInOlathe

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Mar 9, 2013
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aije said:
Agreed.
And now Tito Ortiz is calling out Chael Sonnen for a RAF match.
Seriously?
Way too many WWE and UFC vibes for me. If this is the way to reach the masses, I would rather see freestyle wrestling remain a niche sport.
Other opinions might be different.
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Wrestling NEEDS non traditional fans to make their way over to the purest sport in the world.
 
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aije

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Apr 3, 2019
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HawkeyeInOlathe said:
Wrestling NEEDS non traditional fans to make their way over to the purest sport in the world.
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I agree that is it the purest sport in the world. It's also extremely technical, subtle and not particularly easy for new spectators to understand. It's a combat sport without blood or knockouts.
Unfortunately blood and knockouts are what most combat sports fans in 2025 are looking for. They want something simple, primal and preferably bloody. If it happens to be crude and vulgar, that's ok too.
No matter how many pro-wrestling and UFC-type antics are added to and around RAF events, I doubt it can significantly expand the fan base for post-collegiate wrestling in the US. There just will not be enough of a violent spectacle to keep many newcomers coming back. But time will tell.
YMMV
 
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HawkAlum2002

Senior
Oct 18, 2017
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Sounds like the NCAA compliance issue is that college wrestlers can only compete during the timeframe of the collegiate season, starting November 1st, and not outside that timeframe. Blades said she plans on wrestling the next show November 8th. Maybe Sinclair will get on that card as well. Caliendo is signed too so he'd be in the same boat.
 
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HawkAlum2002

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Oct 18, 2017
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Mason Parris vs Kyle Snyder announced for RAF2. Quite the intriguing matchup since we haven't seen that before but RAF has 205 as light heavyweight rather than 213 for international so Snyder can mix it up with the heavies. They also wisely moved the event up two weeks (Oct 25) so it doesn't have to compete with a Penn State football game. It's now PSU's bye week (after losing to Iowa in Kinnick the week before of course!).
 
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TameTurk

TameTurk

Junior
Oct 30, 2021
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HawkAlum2002 said:
Mason Parris vs Kyle Snyder announced for RAF2. Quite the intriguing matchup since we haven't seen that before but RAF has 205 as light heavyweight rather than 213 for international so Snyder can mix it up with the heavies. They also wisely moved the event up two weeks (Oct 25) so it doesn't have to compete with a Penn State football game. It's now PSU's bye week (after losing to Iowa in Kinnick the week before of course!).
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That match-up doesn't blow! Should be entertaining
 
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HawkAlum2002

Senior
Oct 18, 2017
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Corby2 said:
RBY is small now that he's a 57kg guy. But hopefully we see it down the road
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RBY was supposed to wrestle Tomasello for the 135 title on this show before dropping out a couple weeks ago and giving Ramos his rematch, so for RAF purposes they should have a chance to cross paths.
 
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Corby2

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HawkAlum2002 said:
RBY was supposed to wrestle Tomasello for the 135 title on this show before dropping out a couple weeks ago and giving Ramos his rematch, so for RAF purposes they should have a chance to cross paths.
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Yep im aware of that. RBY has shrunk his body and won't be as powerful as he once was. I think Desanto beats him now at 135
 
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