Depressing News For NCAA Wrestling Amidst Wyatt Hendrickson, Donald Trump Craze

It was supposed to be one of the most electric nights in college wrestling. With Olympic champ Gable Steveson returning, Wyatt Hendrickson pulling off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history, and even Donald Trump in the building, Friday night at the 2025 NCAA Championships had all the ingredients for a ratings surge.

Instead, what followed was a gut punch.

According to viewership data shared by @SpeyWrestle, Friday night’s NCAA wrestling championship broadcast in 2025 drew just 331,000 viewers—the lowest in over a decade and a steep drop from the peak of 525,000 in 2022. For a night headlined by viral moments and household names, the numbers paint a troubling picture.

In fact, even last year’s 345,000—which came with far less media buzz—topped this year’s viewership. It’s the kind of decline that raises eyebrows, especially given the sheer star power on display. Hendrickson’s shocking win over Steveson was expected to be a highlight for the sport. Throw in the political fanfare with Trump in attendance, and most would’ve bet on a ratings spike.

But nope. The audience dipped again, making 2025 the third straight year of decline since the post-COVID high in 2022. The big question is: why?

What went wrong on wrestling’s biggest stage?

Some point to scheduling and promotion. Friday’s session, although jam-packed with high-stakes matchups and dramatic finishes, struggled to draw casual fans. Others suggest that the NCAA still hasn’t figured out how to capitalize on viral moments like Hendrickson’s takedown of Steveson in real time.

Even having Trump at the Wells Fargo Center—an unprecedented crossover moment between politics and college sports—wasn’t enough to bump the ratings. That’s a red flag, especially considering how much wrestling has leaned on headline moments to bring the sport into the mainstream spotlight.

Meanwhile, social media was buzzing. Clips of Hendrickson’s win, Steveson’s stunned reaction, and the presidential cameo made the rounds online. But it didn’t translate to live viewership—and that disconnect is starting to look like a long-term issue for NCAA wrestling.

Here’s the kicker: the action on the mat has never been better. This year’s tournament produced epic bouts, fresh storylines, and rising stars. Oklahoma State’s resurgence under David Taylor added energy to the team race. New champions emerged. Drama was everywhere.

But if the numbers keep heading south, the question becomes whether the NCAA is doing enough to grow the audience for a product that’s clearly got the goods.

From 2014 to 2022, Friday night viewership routinely hovered around the 450,000 mark, peaking in 2022. Now? The sport is inching dangerously close to falling out of the national conversation. And it’s not from a lack of talent—it’s from a lack of visibility.

If the NCAA wants to keep the energy going beyond the wrestling community, it might be time to rethink how the sport is marketed, scheduled, and showcased. Because if a night with Hendrickson, Steveson, and Trump can’t bring the ratings heat, what will?