The Penn State vs. Iowa rivalry is always on fire, but this year? It took a wild turn. Instead of getting the epic Carter Starocci vs. Gabe Arnold showdown we were promised, something else went down—and now, UFC vet Ben Askren is straight-up roasting Arnold for it. Before the match, the hype was unreal. Arnold was out here talking big to Starocci, saying, “Your head is mine. Book it.” Basically, he was calling his shot against Starocci, and fans were all in. But when Starocci was asked about Arnold, he hit back with the ultimate burn: “He’s their starter? I thought the other guy was their starter.” Ouch.

Then, on January 31st at the Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State absolutely wrecked Iowa 30-8. Their 66th consecutive dual puts them at 10-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten. And when was it time for the 184-pound match? No Arnold. Instead, Angelo Ferrari—yep, AJ Ferrari’s younger brother—stepped in. Starocci handled business as usual, locking in a 3-1 win like it was nothing. And Arnold? Dude was watching from the sidelines.

Fast forward to February 1st, and Ben Askren—2008 Olympics Beijing gold medalist, two-time NCAA winner, and an icon—wasn’t letting this slide. Well, he jumped on X and dropped the hammer: “Gabe Arnold not showing up to battle Carter for the 2nd year in a row is embarrassing. If you are gonna trash talk someone, then at least make the walk when it’s time.” The first time their match couldn’t go through was in Edinboro on February 25, 2024. Carter Starocci was facing a knee injury. On 31st January, Starocci and Arnold were to compete once. But since Arnold didn’t show up for the game, Starocci’s injury defaulted. For the second year in a row, Starocci and Arnold did not play one another in a planned match.

Fans started debating whether Arnold even had a say in it. One asked, “You really think it’s his decision?” Askren wasn’t having it. He fired back: “If he walks into Brands’ office and says, ‘This is my match, let me have it.’ Brands respects him more and gives him the choice. Once you realize you can be in charge, then you are.” Basically, Askren is saying Arnold could’ve fought for the match if he really wanted it. Instead, Ferrari took the mat—and Starocci took the win.

Load management or just ducking Carter Starocci?

Right after the dual, Christian Pyles FloWrestling’s Content Director spilled the tea: “Tom Brands said after the Penn State dual that they will use 5 dates for Angelo Ferrari, but Gabe Arnold will be their 184 this year. Coach Brands said they’re load managing Gabe so he feels good down the stretch.” So all of this is Iowa’s strategy, to be honest.

So yeah, Arnold wasn’t hurt. Iowa just chose not to wrestle him. The official excuse? Saving him for the postseason. But let’s be real—this was THE match to prove himself. And instead of backing up his talk, Arnold sat out, while Carter Starocci did Starocci things. Now, that whole “Your head is mine” line? It’s aging like milk. No wonder Carter’s steak of ultimate wins couldn’t come full circle this time.

Meanwhile, Starocci is locked in for his fifth NCAA title—if that happens, it’ll create history in the world of collegiate wrestling, cementing himself as one of the greatest ever. And Arnold? He’s stuck answering the biggest question of all—was this just bad timing, or is he gonna be that guy who talks but never actually steps up? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!