Real American Freestyle (RAF) is expanding its presence in amateur wrestling after reaching an agreement to acquire World of Wrestling, the family-owned organization behind three prominent youth tournaments: Tulsa Nationals, Reno Worlds, and the Kickoff Classic.
Announced on November 5, the agreement marks a significant step for RAF as it looks to build beyond its professional freestyle wrestling events. World of Wrestling has played a major role in developing young talent, with its tournaments serving as a proving ground for several Olympic medalists and NCAA champions.
The acquisition agreement covers three of the most recognized youth wrestling competitions in the United States. Financial terms have not been disclosed, and RAF said additional details regarding the transaction and its future plans would be announced in the coming months.
RAF Acquires Tournaments With a Rich Wrestling Legacy
Tulsa Nationals is among the flagship events under the World of Wrestling umbrella. Its alumni include Olympic gold medalists Kyle Snyder and Gable Steveson, Olympic and World medalists Spencer Lee, J’Den Cox, and Thomas Gilman, as well as NCAA champions Bo Nickal and Zahid Valencia.
The organization’s tournament portfolio also includes the Kickoff Classic and Reno Worlds. Together, the three competitions form World of Wrestling’s prominent tournament series, attracting youth wrestlers from across the country.
RAF CEO and co-founder Chad Bronstein expressed respect for the legacy built by the Roller family, emphasizing that the acquisition is intended to preserve the tournaments’ identity while creating new opportunities for young athletes.
When you’re part of wrestling, you understand what Tulsa means,” Bronstein said. “Some of the greatest wrestlers in the world went through these tournaments as kids, but what really stood out to us was the story of Jack Roller and what his family built. He took a chance on something he believed in and created an institution that has meant so much to generations of wrestling families. We have enormous respect for that. We’re not coming in to change what makes World of Wrestling special. We want to honor it, invest in it and help create even bigger opportunities for the next generation of wrestlers who come through those mats.
World of Wrestling was founded by the late Jack Roller, whose work helped establish the tournaments as major destinations for wrestling families. His son, Shane Roller, has continued overseeing the organization and will remain involved alongside the family following the agreement.
The agreement also aims to preserve World of Wrestling’s tournament brands and established traditions, with the Roller family maintaining a central role in the organization.
The acquisition aligns with RAF’s broader efforts to establish a pathway from youth wrestling to the professional level. The promotion has introduced RAF NEXT GEN, a national youth tournament series, and RAF CLUBS, a year-round training and development initiative.
World of Wrestling’s existing calendar includes the Kickoff Classic in November, Tulsa Nationals in January, and Reno Worlds in April. The upcoming tournaments are expected to proceed as scheduled, with further information about the acquisition to be announced in the coming months.
RAF’s move comes as the promotion continues building its professional wrestling platform. Its next major event is scheduled for November 14 in Abu Dhabi, featuring a lineup of MMA fighters and wrestling specialists.
