“Greg just needs to be Greg.” These were the words that Cael Sanderson proclaimed to the world as Greg Kerkvliet stepped onto the mat to defend his crown from last year. But let’s be real—how do you “just be yourself” when you’re staring down at the Golden Gabe? After all,  Gable Steveson hasn’t lost a college match in years. The stage was massive, the stakes even bigger, and Sunday night promised a showdown for the ages. Yet, as Gable was crowned the new champion after the finals, the new Big 10 champ wasn’t happy with the result. But why?

Well, for that, we need to go back to March 9.  And Gable Steveson just looked like his unstoppable best. As he ragdolled his way to another heavyweight title, he didn’t just win. He made history. A fourth Big 10 title, the award for being the most outstanding wrestler, and the title of the 2025 Wrestler of the BIG Championship. Surely, that is enough for him to be satisfied. Well, no. Amid the praise and the hate, Steveson laid his thoughts bare.

When asked if he was satisfied with his performance, Steveson’s answer in an interview with Flo Wrestling was as fierce as his wrestling. “No, I want more takedowns. I want to go out there and keep dominating. I want bonus points, and hopefully in a few weeks I can repeat that success.” For Steveson, winning wasn’t enough. His eyes are set on the road ahead; one thing is clear: he isn’t just back.

On March 9, Steveson proved he was still a force to be reckoned with. Under the bright lights of Evanston, he dismantled defending champion Greg Kerkvliet with a dominant 10-3 victory in the Big 10 Championship Finals. In the process, he extended his legendary winning streak to 66 matches. The wrestling world took notice, and social media exploded with reactions. But not all of them were celebratory.

Some fans couldn’t help but question Steveson’s time away. Exploring MMA and then the NFL. Would he have become an even more unstoppable force if he hadn’t taken time off? Olympic gold, NCAA titles, two Hodge Trophies! Steveson’s legacy was already there, but Kerkvliet was, by this time, building his own. After all, the Nittany Lion himself has steamrolled his way to the top of the championships with a 36-match winning streak.

Steveson’s words reflect the unpredictability of this matchup. “You get the best guy out there, and he’s going to come with something new each time, so I’m grateful for the opportunities. grateful for his presence,” he said. Steveson wasn’t walking into the usual script where he dictated every move. Kerkvliet had changed, grown, and forced him to adjust in ways even he hadn’t anticipated.

And that’s what made the competition even more special. But it also tells us how much faith the man has in himself.

Gable Steveson’s dominance continues with his unshakable belief

Even with all his accolades, Steveson admitted in the interview that the match caught him by surprise. “I’m just new style, you know, just coming in and just not knowing what to expect, and he doesn’t either, so it’s just a great thing to wrestle him.” That’s a telling statement from a man who has seen it all. Kerkvliet wasn’t just another opponent.

He was someone who had spent years in the grind, sharpening his craft at Penn State’s Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, while Steveson stepped away from college wrestling, having conquered it all. Gable Steveson approached the Big Ten final with the confidence of a man who had been there before. “I’ve been wrestling Greg for a long time. I know what he does, I know the standard I have to bring, and I’ll bring it tomorrow,” he told FloWrestling.

He was all ready to reclaim his throne. And when the moment arrived, he delivered. Steveson isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Undefeated and carving through opponents on his march back to the top of the NCAA rankings. In an interview with the Big Ten Network, he made his intentions clear. “Man, enjoying myself, having a good time, scoring a lot of points, and just dominating.”

But beyond that, he had a message for anyone trying to stake their claim in his territory. “You know, there are a lot of guys out here that are trying to claim their spot, respectfully so, but I’m here to stay, and I want it.” The real question is, where does this road lead next for Steveson? Let us know in the comments what you think. Is it going to be WWE again?