Gable Steveson, Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA wrestling champion, has decided to return to the University of Minnesota wrestling team for a fifth season. This follows brief stints with WWE and the NFL, both of which ended earlier than expected. During a recent press conference, Steveson shared insights into his decision and reflected on why his WWE journey didn’t pan out as planned.
Steveson acknowledged that his time with WWE wasn’t the right fit at the time. Despite being seen as a promising prospect, he admitted the competition in WWE was intense, and the timing simply wasn’t ideal. However, he harbors no resentment and remains open to a potential return down the line.
“I think WWE just wasn’t the right time,” Steveson said. “I had a lot of competitive edge to me, and they knew that. It was just not the time for it, and so maybe one day if the stars align, it’ll be a great opportunity to do it again. I have no bad feelings with it, I have no bad blood with it, and I would like to keep moving forward with everything.”
Steveson’s foray into the NFL was also a learning experience. Signed briefly by the Buffalo Bills, he acknowledged that his lack of prior football experience posed significant challenges.
“I got a few tackles and a couple of games and a few QB hits,” Steveson explained. “I had a few other teams reach out to me previously before coming back here, so maybe after the season, it’s another opportunity.”
Though his NFL stint ended before the regular season, Steveson remains optimistic about future opportunities in both sports entertainment and football.
Now back at the University of Minnesota, Steveson’s return has been warmly embraced by the wrestling program. As he prepares for his fifth season, he remains focused on his immediate goals while leaving the door open for new opportunities in the future. Despite the setbacks, Steveson’s confidence and drive to succeed remain unshaken.