Gable Steveson Will Not Compete Collegiately in 2023-24

This evening, the University of Minnesota released a video with head coach Brandon Eggum on social media. The video included recaps of recent events, a preview of their upcoming slate, and provided an update on two-time Hodge Trophy winner and Olympic Gold Medalist, Gable Steveson. 

Eggum stated that “the WWE preferred that he solely focused on his professional wrestling career at this time.” With that in mind, Steveson “unfortunately will not be able to compete for us this season.” 

There was plenty of speculation that Steveson would return for Minnesota or perhaps another team in the preseason. Eggum spoke with our Big Ten correspondent, Ryan Holmes, at that time and was very open about the fact that he thought Steveson would wrestle for the Gophers in 2023-24. 

Shortly after winning his second national title in 2022, Steveson embarked on a career in the squared circle with the WWE. Last spring, Steveson returned to his roots and dominated the field at the US Open, securing a place in Final X. After defeating Mason Parris at Final X, Steveson was set to compete at the Senior World Championships for the first time. In the weeks leading up to the World Championships, Steveson announced that he would not compete, presumably because of complications related to the WWE. 

Steveson has qualified for the Olympic Trials so he could compete in those (in late April), should it be approved by the WWE. Nothing said by Eggum was in reference to the Trials or the Olympics; however, it’s probably not a great sign for those looking for him to try and replicate his gold medal-winning performance from the 2020(1) Olympics.