Below are a couple of top news stories of the day, featuring Hulk Hogan and WrestleMania 42.
• UFC Legend Joins Hulk Hogan’s Promotion
UFC Legend Chael Sonnen has joined the newly launched Real American Freestyle Wrestling promotion as a commentator and analyst. The promotion, co-founded by WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff alongside renowned wrestling coach Israel Martinez, aims to spotlight traditional freestyle wrestling. Their debut event is scheduled for August 30 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Sonnen brings significant amateur wrestling credentials to the role. He was a Greco-Roman National Champion, a two-time PAC-10 Champion, and an NCAA Division I All-American at the University of Oregon. Sonnen also competed in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Greco-Roman wrestling.
Real American Freestyle Wrestling distinguishes itself by focusing on authentic, Olympic-style freestyle wrestling, offering financial incentives such as win bonuses and championship purses to male and female athletes.
The promotion’s leadership includes Hogan as Commissioner, Bischoff as Chief Media Officer, and Martinez as Chief Operating Officer.
Sonnen’s wrestling background and media presence align with the promotion’s goal to elevate the status of freestyle wrestling in the United States.
Also Read: Hulk Hogan Used Racial Slurs Due To Prescribed Medication, Says WWE Hall Of Famer
• WrestleMania 42 Will No Longer Take Place In New Orleans
WrestleMania 42 will no longer take place in New Orleans in 2026, despite an earlier announcement made in February on WWE SmackDown. At the time, The Rock revealed that the city would host the event, but that plan has now changed.
According to a statement given to Wrestlenomics by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, WrestleMania in New Orleans is being rescheduled for a later, unspecified year. The foundation said the change is part of a new long-term partnership between New Orleans, WWE, and UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings.
“The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and New Orleans & Company are working closely with our friends at TKO to expand our long-standing partnership,” the statement reads. “Which will include UFC 318 on July 19, 2025, Money In The Bank in 2026, and WrestleMania – which will move from the currently scheduled 2026 timeframe to a future year.”
Instead of WrestleMania, WWE’s Money in the Bank event will take place in New Orleans in 2026. A date has not been announced yet, though the event typically happens in June or July.
New Orleans & Company, a tourism marketing group mentioned in the joint statement, is also involved in the agreement. WWE has not issued a separate statement confirming the change, and no reason has been given for the decision.
WrestleMania 42 had originally been scheduled for April 11 and 12, 2026, at the Caesars Superdome. The stadium previously hosted WrestleMania in 2014 and 2018.
TKO has recently focused on bringing in site fees and government incentives for major events. For example, WWE received a $5 million site fee and $4.2 million in tax credits from Nevada for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. WWE will also receive $7.1 million from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for this summer’s two-day SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium.
Also Read: John Cena Praised Newcomer Immediately After WWE Title Win At WrestleMania 41
