When Gable Steveson stood atop the podium at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, gold draped around his neck, his future seemed limitless. And it happened so. By 2022, the Minnesota star had solidified his status as one of college wrestling’s greatest heavyweights. Adding a cherry to the cake, Steveson became the only man in his weight class to win multiple Dan Hodge Trophies. Yet, who knew that the next chapter of his story would fall short of expectations?

Stepping into WWE, leaving the realm of competitive wrestling, Gable Steveson wanted to explore and shine inside the squared circle. However, destiny planned it differently for the athlete. After an unsuccessful stint in WWE, Steveson also tried his luck out on the NFL gridiron. But unfortunately, his NFL tryout too did not turn out to be a successful journey. However, despite two years of uncertainty and ambition left unfulfilled, Steveson was not ready to put a pause to his athletic career. Shocking the wrestling world, Gable announced his return to collegiate wrestling for one final season.

Gable Steveson chooses loyalty over fame and returns for one final shot at glory

The 24-year-old Olympic champion’s journey since 2022 has been anything but smooth. Drafted into WWE’s Monday Night Raw, Steveson eventually landed in NXT, only for the company to release him in 2023. Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer summarized the setback plainly: “At the end of the day, this was a WWE decision.” Between wrestling storylines never realized and a stint with the NFL that didn’t materialize, Steveson’s professional career seemed to hang in limbo.

But he was yet to answer the final call of getting back to the mat, to the realm he has always belonged. And finally free from WWE’s constraints, Steveson opted to return to where it all began, Minnesota. His decision to rejoin the Golden Gophers for one last NCAA season was more like getting back to the space that shaped his growth. And such a comeback has inevitably welcomed debates and discussion.

Recently in a discussion among experts of the sport on the YouTube channel of Big Ten Wrestling, one wrestling enthusiast highlighted the sentiment that has been building surrounding Gable Steveson’s return to Minnesota. He stated, “He could have gone to a number of different programs… but he went back to Minnesota. He went back to his roots”. The analyst also threw light on the fact that Steveson’s choice came in an era of NIL deals and open transfer portals, where athletes often follow opportunity over loyalty. But for Steveson, Minnesota remained home.

Brandon Eggum, Minnesota’s head coach, deserves recognition for retaining a star of Steveson’s caliber during such a volatile time in collegiate athletics. One wrestling insider praised this loyalty: “It’s great to see a coach keep his star… we’re a close fraternity in wrestling, so seeing that loyalty is really special.” Steveson’s return isn’t merely about finishing unfinished business; rather, it’s about honoring the legacy he once built as part of this team.

On the other hand, Steveson’s comeback also rekindled his rivalry with Iowa. And what makes it even more interesting is the fact that Iowa is the same wrestling powerhouse he once considered joining during his time in WWE. “I don’t know if it’s ‘keeping a star’ or ‘getting his star back,’ but it’s great,” added the wrestling expert, underscoring the excitement Steveson has brought back to the sport. His presence undoubtedly guarantees a fresh wave of storylines, especially in the fiercely competitive Big Ten. However, amid his rising storyline in the wrestling realm, MMA stars have put their bets on the wrestling phenom, claiming that he would do wonders in the UFC octagon.

UFC stars hail the power of Steveson, who might soon turn out to be the game-changer in MMA

Gable Steveson’s return to collegiate wrestling may have reignited his NCAA ambitions, but the wrestling phenom’s future has caught the attention of some of MMA’s biggest stars. UFC legend Jon Jones and rising contender Bo Nickal both see Steveson as a game-changing force for the octagon, should he choose to take the leap in mixed martial arts.

Underscoring the towering potential and wrestling pedigree of the 24-year-old, Jones offered a chilling prediction. Jones stated, “He’s gonna be scary. He’s gonna be very scary when he decides to do MMA.” Reflecting on Steveson’s raw power and ability, Jones admitted, “He knows how to make men appear very weak. Me being one of ’em.” For Jones, Steveson’s ascent to UFC gold is not a matter of “if” but “when.”

Bo Nickal, who himself is an NCAA wrestling great turned MMA star, echoed Jones’ sentiments. Speaking before his dominant win at UFC 309, Nickal expressed his desire to see elite wrestlers like Steveson transition to MMA. “Guys like Gable Steveson, it would be amazing to see him transition over… We really haven’t had the best collegiate wrestlers move into MMA,” said the surging UFC contender.

With two of MMA’s brightest stars backing his future in the octagon, the stage seems set for Gable Steveson. But for now, his sights remain set on a third NCAA title. Because Steveson’s return marks not just a comeback but a story of loyalty and unfinished greatness. Whether driven by triumph or frustration, his final chapter with the Golden Gophers promises to be one of collegiate wrestling’s most compelling narratives. And fans would now just wait to witness how Steveson’s journey turns out to be.