Condemned for Wrestling Return, Gable Steveson’s Wrestling Has NCAA Side Grateful Over Impactful Gesture

Comebacks are never easy, especially when you are an established player like Gable Steveson. The freestyle wrestler returns to the mat to claim his third NCAA title. The decision comes after making his career in WWE for a while later, ending up with his withdrawal in 2022. Having signed up with the NFL on a three-year deal, the wrestler has found his way back home.

Carrying a history with UMN, the reason for their comeback makes his emotional return to the team carrying an established career. While it seems that the 24-year-old Olympic gold medalist is here to set his mark yet again in the wrestling industry, the unexpected return comes as a big question to the fans. The wrestler, however, brings a controversial return to the sports industry for the NCAA.

Steveson’s retirement gets a hold

With the second NCAA championship win came the end of Gable Steveson’s career in wrestling. Two years passed, and no sign of the wrestler was seen. It was not until today that the wrestler announced his return to Minnesota for his final year with a favor to return. “Minnesota has given me everything, and now it’s my turn to give it right back to them: to put my feet back on the wrestling mat, to be the champ, one more time.” 

Following the comeback also came a threshold of criticism from fans. Referring to examples of Bo Johnson and now Gable Steveson’s case, the decision made by the NCAA reflects as unbiased. With a long line of junior NCAA athletes awaiting to make a mark in their career, the decision comes as a big setback on their side made in favor of players who left out to make their careers elsewhere.

The decision by NCAA Athletics, however, comes with an additional year of eligibility granted for college athletes following the COVID-19 pandemic. With examples of amateur athletics by the NCAA coming into play, Steveson’s return to Minnesota is a highly anticipated one carrying a four-year highlighting career at UMN.

Gable Steveson’s UMN return

From a freshman to a now-turned senior at the University of Minnesota, Steveson’s final year is all set to make an anticipated run as a professional WWE player. With two Dan Hodge Trophy honors, two NCAA Division I national champions, and a three-time All-American, Steveson’s career at UMN was the growing stage of his career, which led him to become one of the top college wrestlers of today.

For Minnesota wrestling head coach Brandon Eggum, “Gable has the burning desire to compete for the Maroon and Gold one last time. He is one of the best to ever compete in the sport of wrestling, and we are grateful for the impact he has had on our program.”

Carrying much excitement as a senior college athlete, Gable Steveson looks forward to continuing his 52-match winning streak. After taking a step back to make his return to the Paris Olympics, the wrestler is currently training with the head coach in future preparation. The freestyle wrestler, however, now looks forward to making his season debut with UMN, expected on November 24.