WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is back in the spotlight again after announcing that he was teaming up with Eric Bischoff to launch the new Real American Freestyle Wrestling. The concept is to blend amateur-style mat competition mixed with entertainment, similar to how pro wrestling is produced, but at a smaller scale. However, the initiative and Hogan's promotional interviews are already sparking controversy, especially from black athletes such as Shelton Benjamin.
In a video interview that circulated online, Hogan began hyping up the RAF by discussing all the amateur stars that he watched transition into pro wrestling. One of the names mentioned was none too pleased. "I got Brock Lesnar when he first got out of UFC," Hogan said (wrongly) in the video. "I got Kurt Angle when his eyeballs used to roll back like a shark when he came out for me. Benjamin Shelton... I mean, all these different guys that I've had the opportunity to see adapt to our business."
Due to Hogan's racially insensitive comments in the past and his half-hearted apology months later, the former WWE Intercontinental Champion did not appreciate the fact that his name was even mentioned. He responded as such on X.
Hogan Sparks Backlash After Misnaming Shelton Benjamin
Some African-American Stars Will Never Forgive Hulk Hogan For His Remarks
Most of this controversy began when Hogan was caught on video repeatedly using the 'N word' when discussing his daughter's music career and personal life. After a few months of being somewhat exiled from WWE, Hogan returned at Extreme Rules in 2018 and addressed the situation with the locker room. But his so-called apology fell flat.
“Now, I want to let you guys know that this is the biggest spotlight in the world,” Hogan said during his speech. "The WWE’s the biggest spotlight in the world. And if you’re a little, teeny star, don’t even slip on a banana peel when you’re a little star here, because you’re in the spotlight. Try not to make any mistakes like I made.”
Many people felt Hogan sounded more like he regretted getting caught, rather than asking for forgiveness for what he said. Shelton Benjamin was one of the stars who felt that way, which is why the former University of Minnesota standout fired back at the Hall of Famer. He addressed the racial slurs and the fact that Hogan said his name backward in two interviews, referring to him as 'Benjamin Shelton'.
The sentiment was later echoed by MVP, who is currently Shelton's stablemate in the Hurt Syndicate in AEW, who called Hogan a "pathological lying piece of human excrement." This is surely not the best possible start for Hogan and Bischoff's new business venture. The WWE Hall of Famer seems unable to avoid controversy, as proved when he was massively booed during his appearance on the Monday Night Raw debut show on Netflix
What Is Real American Freestyle Wrestling, Anyway?
Hogan's New Venture Is Unique
According to their website, Real American Freestyle Wrestling is 'the first professional, unscripted league built for the world's top athletes to compete, earn and dominate on a global stage.' Essentially, it's an attempt by Hulk Hogan and business partner Eric Bischoff to make amateur-style mat wrestling a little more glitzy and glamorous, as proved by their NWO-style promotional video. In some ways, it's a marriage between the basics of wrestling and the pageantry of sports entertainment. Many see it as a potential stepping stone for an NCAA athlete to transition to the professional ranks.
At the same time, it's widely believed that RAF will target some of the top collegiate stars in the country and will be looking to recruit international talent as well. Whether this will be a success or go the way of some of Hogan's other failed ventures ( 'PastaMania'?) has yet to be seen. Details are still murky regarding Real American Freestyle Wrestling, but their website lists the company's first event is scheduled to take place on August 30, in Cleveland, Ohio.
