Kyle Dake Caught in Fire as Jason Nolf RAF Weigh In Takes Wholesome Turn

Before the first-ever Real American Freestyle (RAF 1) event on August 30, 2025, even had a chance to showcase suplexes and scrambles, the press conference gave fans something arguably just as entertaining- a baby-fueled staredown. Jason Nolf and Evan Wick, two of freestyle wrestling’s main-event killers, were hyping up their highly anticipated clash at Cleveland’s Wolstein Center. The card was stacked with stars like Kyle Dake, Bo Nickal, and Yianni Diakomihalis, but the biggest showstopper wasn’t on the mat; it was in Nolf’s arms.

As the wrestlers locked eyes in a classic face-off, Nolf scooped up a baby, leveled it eye-to-eye with Wick, and gave it the same stone-cold, gladiator-style stare. The crowd instantly lost it. What was supposed to be a tense nobody blinks first moment turned into the most wholesome trolling in wrestling history. Within hours, the clip went viral across wrestling X. The video was shared with captions like: “Funny face-off between Jason Nolf and Evan Wick at the Real American Freestyle Press Conference.”

Even Coach Schultz chimed in with a jab: “Is that Kyle Dake!?” The joke landed perfectly, playing off Dake’s 5′10″ frame versus Wick’s skyscraper 6′3″ build, suggesting the baby might’ve been the fun-sized version of Wick Nolf was bringing along.

The result? A press conference that turned into part comedy special, part family photo-op, part hype package. Fans will absolutely remember this long after the final whistle because in a sport built on grit, somebody always finds a way to throw in a little giggle. But don’t be fooled by the humor—the actual match between Jason Nolf and Evan Wick promises to be anything but easy.

Evan Wick vs. Jason Nolf

This matchup between Evan Wick and Jason Nolf checks every box: contrast in size, difference in style, and two athletes determined to push the sport forward. Wick, tall, long, and relentless, uses his unique body type, immense gas tank, and aggressive pressure to dominate the mat.

A four-time NCAA All-American with Olympic Trials and U.S. Open finals experience, he now trains at the Askren Wrestling Regional Training Center, returning to his roots while chasing a spot on the 2028 Olympic Team. At RAF01, Wick has the chance to notch a defining win that could elevate his status and momentum heading into the Olympics.

Nolf, by contrast, is creativity in motion. A three-time NCAA Champion for Penn State, he thrives on unpredictable attacks, relentless pace, and fluid wrestling sequences that make him a fan favorite. His recent ventures into UFC BJJ competition highlight his versatility and commitment to pushing wrestling into new arenas.

In this matchup, Wick brings suffocating pressure and grinding control, while Nolf counters with inventive setups, flurries, and motion-based offense. Both are capable of high-risk, high-reward moments, making this clash one of the night’s most electrifying and memorable encounters.