After winning wrestling gold at Tokyo 2020, Gable Steveson seemed to be staring at a future with endless possibilities. By 2022, the Olympian had built a historic college wrestling resume, becoming the only heavyweight to win multiple Dan Hodge Trophies. However, after a short-lived tumultuous stint with the WWE, and then NFL stint, Steveson has made a huge announcement.

Hot on the heels of fellow Olympic champion David Taylor’s footsteps, Steveson announced his return to college writing for one final year. “Your attention please…” wrote the official Minnesota Wrestling Instagram handle while posting the announcement video. The Olympic champion competed in college wrestling for the final time in 2022, when he was also 22.

Now, the 24-year-old will look to bag his third NCAA title after a two-year hiatus and failed attempt at a WWE career. Gable Steveson, who got drafted to star on Monday Night Raw, eventually found himself as part of the NXT roster in 2023, before the WWE decided to release the freestyle wrestling icon. “At the end of the day, this was a WWE decision.” Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer.

While speculations surfaced that a 2019 s***al misconduct allegation case may have influenced WWE to make the decision, the organization didn’t confirm such rumors. However, the Olympic champion who was once touted to be next in line of Kurt Angle in the WWE has found his way back to college wrestling. “I would like to thank the University of Minnesota,” the wrestler said in the announcement video.

The 2017 Junior World Champion thanked the university for their patience and giving him a platform to shine. However, the 24-year-old explained that he has rediscovered the passion to chase college wrestling glory once again. “The burning passion, the competitiveness, the itch to become great again and add to the legacy of Gable season,” said Steveson.

The 125 kg Olympic wrestler’s decision to jump back once one comes shortly after David Taylor’s successful world championship return. Taylor, who won Olympic gold in the 86 kg category during Tokyo 2020, announced his retirement from competitive wrestling after losing to Aaron Brooks. However, just a month after retirement, Taylor returned to the mat to win a World Championships bronze. However, unlike the 33-year-old Gable Steveson doesn’t have a safety net to fall back on.

Gable Steveson’s everchanging career landscape

Shortly after initially retiring from competitive wrestling, David Taylor took the role of Oklahoma State’s wrestling head coach. The Olympic champion made waves, becoming the highest-earning college wrestling head coach in the USA. Hence, when Taylor announced to return for the World Team Trials, he had Oklahoma’s unwavering support.

While the winning 2024 World Championship bronze was among the best outcomes, Taylor would’ve kept his job even if he didn’t make Team USA. However, Gable Steveson’s bid to change careers has been a difficult affair. Besides losing steam as the next big WWE star, Steveson didn’t fare well in the NFL either.

The three-time Big 10 champion joined the Buffalo Bills’ 53-man roster in May 2024. “Put on my first pair of cleats, pads, and played my first ever football game ever as a NFL Player here in Buffalo! Even made a some plays along the way! All love!!” Steveson posted in August. However, his NFL career came to an abrupt end even before August ended.

NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported The Bills released Steveson because he didn’t make the cut. Now the Olympic gold medalist is back in familiar territory as part of a fifth-year senior at Minnesota. However, looking beyond his gold to earn a third NCAA title, Steveson may have yet another open for him.

Just days ahead of announcing his wrestling comeback, Gable Steveson had been training with UFC heavyweight Jon Jones, sparking rumors of a future stint at the biggest MMA promotion in the world. However, for now, college wrestling has once taken center stage in Steveson’s life.