by CLEVELAND, OH – It was an incredible night as Real American Freestyle had their inaugural event at Cleveland’s Wolstein Center. RAF01 as it was billed, didn’t fail to deliver the very best freestyle wrestlers in the world. It was a wonderful mix of new and old that truly showcased what makes this the best sport in the world.
Before we get to the match by match breakdown, I had the chance to speak with Eric Bischoff who founders Chad Bronstein and Hulk Hogan brought onto the board of directors early on. Eric was a huge reason for the success of WCW in the late 90’s as he worked hand in hand with Hogan at that time to revolutionize the pro wrestling world. Sadly, Hogan passed in July but Eric is determined to keep the RAF dream alive.
Eric had this to say, “It is bittersweet as we wish Hulk was here with us, but I feel like I’m on a mission to execute and honor his vision because he was so excited about American Freestyle. I had worked with him on several different projects over the last 25 years and before he passed and we spent a lot of time together on many levels. Hulk loved to build things, that was his passion. When he called me about RAF, I never heard him as excited as he was for this. This was bigger than movies and other opportunities, this he was passionate about and I’m blessed to be here and execute his vision.”
Many luminaries were in the crowd tonight including “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, Nick Hogan and Tito Ortiz. Commentators included Bubba Jenkins, Kurt Angle and Chael Sonnen. In fact, shortly before the main event, Sonnen and Tito Ortiz had a brief war of words to set up a match between the two at RAF02 coming soon.
It was just very well done! It had reflected the legacy and legitimacy of the sport perfectly while included a bit of the glitz and the glamour that casual fans will love as well. This included a “shocking” appearance by UFC Women’s Champion Holly Holm who replaced Kennedy Blades who took on Alejandra Pinera.
Not only did it feature world class athletes, but it gave us future feuds with matches we need to see. Perhaps none bigger then Yianni Diakomihalis vs Austin Gomez for the 155lb title. Gomez, who you will read about shortly, dominated and Tech felled the legendary Lance Palmer in 62 seconds in a dominant showing. Yianni defeated Bajrang Punia 5-1 earlier in the night to capture the 155lb title.
Again, it was simply an amazing night that gives this sport and league a chance to take off like a rocket with so much to look forward to. Wyatt Hendrickson looks like the best heavyweight in the world and it isn’t even close. Bo Nickal stepped out of the UFC cage and right back on the mat looking like he hasn’t missed a beat and Real Woods shut up Darrion Caldwell, which was nice to see! The best match of the night was Evan Wick vs Jason Nolf.
Here are the full results from the show.
Match 1
Weight 135
Nathan Tomasello vs Matt Ramos
Result – 4-3 Tomasello
Recap
Period 1Tomasello scored back to back points with two pushouts.
Period 2 Tomasello with a score on a pushout and then another one late with 16 seconds to go when attempting a takedown.
Period 3 Ramos rallied late with a dramatic takedown with 5 seconds left, but it wasn’t enough as Tomasello won 4-3.
Match 2
Weight 155
Yianni Diakomihalis vs Bajrang Punia
Result 5 – 1 Yianni Diakomihalis
Recap
Period 1 0-0
Period 2 point for Yianni on stalling for Punia. Yianni scored again after Punia briefly tied it 1-1. Now 2-1 Yianni.
Period 3 Restart after 1 minute stalemate then takedown step out for Yianni to increase lead to 5-1 with 22 seconds left.
Match 3
Weight 155
Lance Palmer vs Austin Gomez
Result – 11-0 Gomez tech falls at 62 seconds of the first round.
Recap
Period 1 Quick takedown and exposure get Gomez 4 quick points. He piled on with 2 more and 30 seconds in, it was 6-0 Gomez. It was over before you could blink as Gomez kept the heat on to win 62 seconds in by tech fall, 11-0.
Match 4
Weight 175
Evan Wick vs Jason Nolf
Result 10-8 Wick
Recap
Period 1 Takedown from Wick was answered with a slam from Nolf for a quick 2-2 tie.
Period 2 Wick with 4 quick points for takedown and exposure, now up 6-2. Wick went on to finish the second period up 8-4.
Period 3 Nolf rallied back to start the third with a takedown and pursue to tie it at 8 with a minute to go. Wick came right back with a single leg takedown to retake the lead at 10-8 with 15 seconds left. Excellent match!
Match 5
Weight 120 lbs
Sarah Hildebrandt vs Zeltzin Hernandez
Result – Hildebrandt with a 11-0 tech fall with 84 seconds left in the third.
Recap
Period 1 Hildebrandt worked hard for the takedown and finally got it, then rolled Hernandez twice and it was suddenly 6-0. The period ended with Hildebrandt on top 7-0.
Period 2 No scoring as neither woman could gain advantage.
Period 3 Hildebrandt increased the lead to 9-0 and then teched her at 11-0 with a takedown and drive roll for the win.
Match 6
Weight 145 LBS
Real Woods vs Darrion Caldwell
Result Woods by pin in the second period
Recap
Period 1 – Woods used a takedown and roll to mount a quick 4-1 lead before Caldwell battled back to cut it to 4-3 after one.
Period 2 – Woods used a takedown into gut wrench to pile on for the pin.
Match 7
Weight 190 lbs
Dean Hamiti vs Kyle Dake
Result Dake 11-0 tech fall in the second round
Recap
Period 1 After a slow first 90 seconds, Dake literally rolled himself 5 quick points.
Period 2 Drake tacked on two more with 30 seconds to go in the second. Moments later, a takedown and rolled earned him the tech fall.
Match 8
Weight Middleweight Womens
Alejandra Pinera vs Holy Holm (replacing Kennedy Blades )
Result 9-7 Pinera
Recap – WAIT, WHAT? Holy Holm showed up to take on Pinera.
Period 1 Holm with a pancake to get things started quickly, already up 4-0.
Period 2 Craziness to start period two sees each wrestler gobble up points, making it 6-4. Pinera then hit a hip toss in which Holm rolled through and suddenly it was 8-7 Pinera. Holm trailed 9-7 after two period.
Period 3 Holm got her hooks in but couldn’t turn Pinera, eventually running out of time.
Match 9
Weight 205 lbs
Bo Nickal vs Jacob Cadenas
Result 6-4 Nickal
Recap –
Period 1 A slow period sees Nickal land 3 points late to lead 3-0 after one.
Period 2 After Cadenas creeped back in it with a point, it was Nickal gaining it back quickly to lead 4-1 after one.
Period 3 Cadenas tied it at 4 before Nickal rolled over to go right back up 6-4. Cadenas had gotten the leg but then stalled. Nickal held on for the 6-4 win.
Match 10
Heavyweight
Wyatt Hendrickson vs Mostafa Elders
Result – Hendrickson by Tech 14-1
Period 1 Hendrickson overpowered him for a throw takedown to score early. He piled on four more as he flattened him out and rode him out all at the same time. It was now 8-0 with 44 seconds left in the first.
Period 2 Hendrickson completed a toss to go up 10-1 with 1:05 left in the second. One more drive and pushout later, and it was 14-1 for the tech fall as Hendrickson looked dominant.
