By Real American Freestyle

It was the type of night that felt like every match featured a “new face of the promotion” or “new title threat.” From grudge matches years in the making to old dogs impervious to new tricks not one competitor “took the night off.”

… Even if they learned the rules less than a week prior.

Mason Parris vs. Wyatt Hendrickson: The Grudge Match

It’s hard to call a 3-0 lifetime series a rivalry but it’s also hard not to when the reinvented Wyatt Hendrickson took us home early with a 13-2 tech fall victory over the last remaining thorn in his side.

Fully blooming in the twilight of his collegiate career, Hendrickson is officially the baddest heavyweight in the business. His callout of Jake Paul seemed to make little sense to cap off the night but following recent victories over Gable Steveson, Mason Parris and many more, it’s hard to believe any callout short of active NCAA athletes would’ve made too much sense, either.

Parris may still lead the series but after one of the most dominant title heavyweight matches in RAF history, it may be awhile before we see a fifth chapter.

Yoel Romero vs. Pat Downey: Age Ain’t Nothin’ But A Number

Nobody seemed to let Yoel Romero know he was comfortably the underdog going into his co-main event matchup against NCAA All-American Pat Downey.

Romero has been out of the freestyle wrestling game for longer than Bo Bassett has been alive and many expected it to show when he met with his originally scheduled opponent Bo Nickal. Nickal would be forced to pull out and an even more dangerous opponent was slotted in. A hungry Pat Downey. Romero never let Downey get the engine going, jumping out to an 8-0 lead by the end of the second period.

With Downey’s back against the wall Romero seemed to be in even more danger than with a 0-0 score but only eight seconds into the third period, the “Soldier of God” extinguished all of Downey’s internal flame with a double-leg that would give him the 10-0 tech fall victory.

Romero ensured his date with Bo Nickal and reminded the Hodge Trophy winner that Miami is his house.

Kennedy Blades vs. Alara Boyd: Untouched

Kennedy Blades is going to run out of girls to face at the rate she’s going. The challenge started as “can anybody beat Kennedy Blades?” But if she continues looking as good as she did against Alara Boyd we may start asking, “can anybody score a point on Kennedy Blades?”

In less than one period Blades showed off single leg, double leg, push out and exposure threats as she shut out Boyd 10-0 and didn’t even bother calling out another opponent. More than anybody else on roster Blades has separated herself from the pack and is going to have to get used to expectations becoming more and more unreasonable.

Dean Hamiti vs. Evan Wick: Not So Fast

The closest matchup of the night was arguably the most exciting. Evan Wick appeared to place his name among the all-time greats of NCAA wrestling when he defeated Jason Nolf for the RAF title.

Dean Hamiti set aside recent success and brought his A-game into his first title match and it led to the only pinfall of the night in the third period. Starting the third period off down 4-3, Hamiti went to work and scored exposure points, roll points, two more roll points and slammed the door shut with the pin.

Hamiti’s stoicism showed through in his post-match interview when he calmly put the ball in the court of the RAF brass after Chael asked him to call his next shot.

Andy Varela vs. Jason Nolf: Set ‘Em Up, Knock ‘Em Down

One of the greatest college wrestlers of his time made his return to the RAF mat looking to bounce back after falling just short in his promotional debut. Following a Seth Rollins-esque entrance to the mat through the crowd, three-time NCAA National Champion Jason Nolf took just over a period to tech fall grappling ace Andy Varela after teaching him the full ruleset just a few days prior.

Following the match, Nolf called out UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan to introduce the American wrestling pedigree to an even broader audience.

David Carr vs. Belal Muhammad: Handling Business

David Carr was one of the biggest betting favorites on the card and acted like he had been there before when former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad challenged him for Carr’s RAF title.

Despite Muhammad’s shots and aggression that most would’ve been afraid to fire off, Carr would close the night early and retain his title with a flawless tech fall victory with only 30 seconds gone in the second period.

Carr took his time on the microphone to welcome in another wrestler turned UFC champion, Kamaru Usman much to the joy of color commentator Chael Sonnen.

Mahamedkhabib “Kadik” Kadzimahamedau vs. Dustin Plott: Silver Medalist Survives

Kadik has never been a wrestler many have jumped to face. Oddsmakers took this into account when Oklahoma State Cowboy Dustin Plott agreed to toe the line against the Olympic silver medalist. Plott’s +167 odds were waved off early as he would find himself ahead for most of the match and only down 6-5 heading into the final period.

Kadik’s ability to thrive in the chaos would help him land a scramble takedown that would eventually put the match out of reach even with a late takedown by Plott.

Kadik would take home the 11-7 decision but both men proved they’re going to be tough to match up in the future.

Jacob Cardenas vs. Trent Hidlay: Hidlay Keeps Rolling

Jacob Cardenas was a massive threat coming into Fishers, Indiana. Poised to bounce back after falling short to Bo Nickal in his promotional debut. He drew one hell of a challenge to right the ship however when he agreed to take on Trent Hidlay who most recently laid waste to the field en route to his Worlds gold medal in September.

Cardenas would keep Hidlay close but passivity and push outs put him too far behind, even thwarting a last second takedown he would still fall 5-3.

Parker Keckeisen vs. Zahid Valencia: Statement Made

While Parker Keckeisen has done more than enough to prove himself as a legit threat on the wrestling mat, oddsmakers and fans alike gave him little chance against the Worlds gold medalist and National Champion Zahid Valencia.

A staggering +441 underdog, Keckeisen had a narrow path to victory on paper but instead, utilized his strengths and reinvented the wheel to drown Valencia in deep waters.

Keckeisen would land a takedown to put himself up 2-1 before turning a dangerous single-leg attack into the most inventive leg laces the sport has ever seen from a defensive position to close out the first period 4-1.

Keckeisen would continue to pour on pressure, an offensive attack and a cardio blitz that would send Valencia to his corner to throw up. Looking to close out strong in the third, Valencia would only give Keckeisen even more opportunities to put creative points on the board. Keckeisen would close out with a 10-2 victory and appropriately setting his sights high by calling out Kyle Dake.

What Comes Next?

With less than a month until RAF05, fans won’t have to wait long to see matches they’ve been waiting for, hoping to relive and never knew they needed. Bo Nickal meets Yoel Romero, Austin DeSanto is back to take on Nathan Tomasello for RAF gold, Colby Covington takes on Luke Rockhold and many more.

RAF 04 set the groundwork for many events to come but you won’t have to wait long to ride the waves that started in Fishers, Indiana.

‍Watch It All Again

Relive every match, every moment and every callout from RAF04—only on FOX Nation.