Minnesota wrestling coach Brandon Eggum made a significant announcement on Monday, revealing that Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist, won’t be making a return to the Gophers this season. Instead, Gable Steveson has decided to channel his energy and focus exclusively on his burgeoning career with the WWE.
Gable Steveson WWE Devotion
Speculation had lingered throughout the summer and early in the season, suggesting that Steveson might temporarily step away from the WWE to re-enter the college wrestling scene. This speculation was fueled by the anticipation of witnessing Steveson back on the college mats for the first time since his triumphant second NCAA title win, marked by leaving his shoes on the mat in Detroit two years ago.
Wrestling Hiatus and Olympic Glory
After clinching the Olympic gold in Tokyo with a breathtaking last-second comeback against Geno Petriashvili, Steveson inked a deal with the WWE in the fall of 2021. Despite this, he continued to make waves in the collegiate wrestling arena, securing his second Hodge Trophy while still with the Gophers.
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Gable Steveson took a hiatus from competitive wrestling for over a year, making a comeback in April at the U.S. Open, where he claimed the heavyweight title. Subsequently, he dominated Mason Parris in June in a best-of-three series at Final X, hinting at a potential pursuit of another Olympic gold in Paris.
Offseason Intrigue and Decision-Making
In the following weeks, Gable Steveson college wrestling status became a captivating offseason narrative. Teasing posts about the Iowa Hawkeyes on social media and being spotted in the Iowa wrestling room led to speculation about a possible transfer. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s athletic director, Mark Coyle, expressed excitement about the prospect of Steveson returning to Minnesota for a final season.
After weeks of anticipation and uncertainty, Gable Steveson officially declared in July that his future lies with the WWE. Later in the summer, he withdrew from the World Championships, solidifying his commitment to professional wrestling.
Impact on Minnesota Wrestling
Coach Eggum expressed gratitude for Steveson’s continued involvement with the Gophers when he’s not at the WWE performance center in Florida. Despite not competing this season, Steveson has been contributing to the team’s growth by working with the heavyweights.
Eggum stated, “We just can’t thank him enough for the impact he’s had on our program. We love following him and watching him compete out on the mat; he’s amazing. Now we’re excited to watch him in his WWE career. Thank you, Gable Steveson, from our program and all the Gopher fans across the country and the world. We look forward to watching you in your career moving forward.”
