Gable Steveson‘s imminent shift to sports entertainment night not be a done deal.
The University of Minnesota wrestling standout is exploring returning to the Golden Gophers for the upcoming season, according to Pioneer Press. If he does, he would finish out his collegiate career before he joins WWE full-time.
The publication interviewed Brandon Eggum, the coach of the Gophers, who noted that these talks are still in the early stages.
“I know he would like to wrestle, and he loves competing,” said Eggum. “Really, it comes down to making that work.”
Steveson signed with WWE in 2021, and the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program enabled him to keep wrestling for Minnesota while being under contract with the promotion. he graduated in May, but he still has a year left of eligibility as a collegiate wrestler. Given his deal with WWE, he worked a limited schedule for Minnesota last year, and he made a few appearances for WWE while he started his training as a professional wrestler. Any additional compromises with his collegiate wrestling schedule would have to be worked out with Vince McMahon.
“It would have to be something he works out with the WWE and Vince McMahon,” Eggum said. “Those details … it hasn’t gotten that far. It’s one thing if he said, ‘No way, I’m not doing it.’ … But he has the eligibility, he’s capable and he has interest in doing it.”
Steveson became one of the most renowned wrestlers in the world throughout his time with Minnesota. He won two consecutive heavyweight championships, and he also took home an Olympic gold medal at the Summer Games in 2021. After his second heavyweight title win, he left his shoes on the mat to seemingly indicate his retirement.
WWE drafted Steveson to the RAW brand in October, and he appeared at WWE WrestleMania 38.
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