Ex-WWE Star Gable Steveson Suffers Another Shocking Setback

Gable Steveson has suffered another career setback after suffering a surprise NCAA defeat.

The 24 year-old signed a NIL deal with WWE in 2021 just months after claiming a freestyle wrestling Olympic Gold Medal in the 125 kg weight group at the COVID-19 delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The former two-time NCAA Heavyweight Wrestling Champion made sporadic appearances on-screen after inking his deal with the company, including receiving a high-profile introduction from Stephanie McMahon during night one of WrestleMania 38 in Arlington, Texas.

Just 24 hours later Steveson was involved in a physical angle with former Olympian Chad Gable at AT&T Stadium, delivering a thunderous suplex to the former NXT Tag Team Champion before sharing a moment of celebration with The Street Profits.

Despite early promising signs during his WWE tenure, Steveson was unable to make the desired impact with the company competing in just one televised bout with Baron Corbin at NXT The Great American Bash 2023, before his release the following year.

Gable Steveson Suffers Shock NCAA Defeat

Steveson returned to wrestling for the University of Minnesota in 2024 and built upon his previous success, ultimately becoming the first four-time Big Ten heavyweight champion on 9th March 2025.

Given Steveson’s dominance in the division, it came as a huge surprise when he fell to defeat to Oklahoma State star Wyatt Hendrickson at the 2025 National Wrestling Championship in Philadelphia.

Hendrickson trailed 4-2 in the contest before battling back to stun heavy favourite Steveson 5-2 after taking his opponent down with just seconds remaining.

The defeat, which took place in front of the watching US President Donald Trump, leaves Gable Steveson looking to bounce back after what many are billing as the biggest upset in NCAA history.