Gable Steveson, a name synonymous with dominance on the mat and Olympic heroics, has always defied expectations. Yet, as his career danced between professional wrestling and collegiate stardom, fans couldn’t have anticipated the twist. But now, the Olympic gold medalist and the two-time NCAA Heavyweight Champion, is returning to collegiate wrestling after his short venture to WWE! For the 24-year-old University of Minnesota star, such a decision comes with a mixture of triumph and frustration. However, an unshakable desire for greatness too outlines the new step he has taken. 

Behind this decision of Gable lies a tale of thwarted ambitions. Over the past two seasons, Steveson had dreamed of rejoining collegiate wrestling. He even crafted an elaborate storyline borrowed from his pro wrestling experiences. The vision? A masked return that would electrify fans and spotlight his dual dominance in sports entertainment and amateur wrestling. But unfortunately, WWE, where Steveson was under contract, had other plans. 

Wrestling’s prodigal son Gable Steveson chasing glory once more with NCAA return

Gable Steveson’s requests to compete, including a potential transfer to rival powerhouse University of Iowa, were repeatedly shut down by WWE. American journalist Dave Meltzer stated, “He’s wanted to do this the last two seasons. He had concocted in his head this angle where he would come out with a hood covering his face and then kind of like unmask and he took it from pro wrestling.” Referring to such denials, Steveson could only state, “circumstances beyond his control”. And this left Steveson at a crossroads.

However, now free from WWE’s constraints, Steveson is embracing his final NCAA season with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Moreover, he is also aiming to chase an elusive third NCAA Heavyweight Championship. If Steveson emerged successful in giving shape to his high ambition, he would join an elite fraternity of wrestlers. His name would be right there alongside Dick Hutton and Earl McCready, titans whose dominance shaped the sport’s early years.

The Olympic gold medalist’s return hasn’t come without its share of scrutiny. Despite his amateur wrestling acclaim, Steveson’s reception among professional wrestling fans was tepid. Yet within the NCAA community, he remains a celebrated figure, his matches drawing crowds eager to witness history. Meltzer further added about Gable, “Even though he’s not popular with pro wrestling fans, he’s very popular with amateur wrestling fans. I presume WWE nixed it. ” Gable’s decision to return speaks volumes about his connection to the sport that first made him a star. 

On one hand, Steveson’s choice to rejoin Minnesota, rather than explore other programs, underscores his loyalty to the team that shaped him. However, on the other hand also reignites his rivalry with Iowa, a wrestling mecca he once considered joining. These narratives, fueled by passion and controversy, have set the stage for a season unlike any other. However, while Steveson is eyeing to add more NCAA victory feathers to his hat, wrestler-turned-MMA phenom, Bo Nickal has a different ask from the wrestler.

Bo Nickal envisions wrestling’s takeover of MMA, calls for Gable Steveson to Join the Octagon

Bo Nickal has having bold vision for the future of mixed martial arts. He wants to work towards a wrestling revolution led by the sport’s most elite athletes. As a three-time NCAA Division I National Champion and rising UFC star, Nickal believes the time is ripe for American collegiate wrestlers to dominate the MMA landscape. Now, ahead of his highly anticipated return at UFC 309, Nickal is calling for other high-level wrestlers to follow his path. And among those he’s eyeing to join the fray is none other than Gable Steveson.

Speaking at the UFC 309 media day, Nickal added, “I would love to see as many high-level wrestlers as possible transition over to MMA”. He further continued, “The last decade or so, we really haven’t had the best collegiate wrestlers move into MMA… guys like Gable Steveson, it would amazing to see him transition over.” Nickal’s dream isn’t just about seeing familiar faces in the cage. Rather it’s more about the seismic impact wrestling could have on MMA. He predicted, “I think that American collegiate style wrestling would take over the sport in short order”.

The fact that Steveson recently trained with Jon Jones ahead of his bout with Stipe Miocic in UFC 309. Thus, Nickla considers this to be a potential dawn of a wrestling-driven era in MMA. With one year of eligibility left, Steveson has much to prove, not just to his detractors, but more to himself.