Gable Steveson Leaves Shoes on Mat After Winning National Championship

Minnesota Gophers heavyweight wrestler, Gable Steveson has already proven that he’s the best in the world. He didn’t need a victory on Saturday night to establish that fact. But still, there was no way one of the greatest wrestlers in NCAA history was going to go out on a loss.

Nah, Gable Steveson is the ultimate entertainer and what kind of rising star story would his be if he were to end his 51-match win streak with a loss in the NCAA National Championship. We all knew he wasn’t going to let his story take that turn, right?

Gable Steveson Finishes On Top

Arizona State’s Cohlton Schultz might be the future of college wrestling. But he wasn’t ready for what Steveson was bringing tonight and it showed early when Gable got his first takedown 5 seconds into the match.

The score was 4-1 after one period. A Steveson escape to start the 2nd made it 5-1. Schultz got one more point after an early escape in the 3rd. But he never really stood a chance. The final was 6-2 and the result was Gable Steveson’s 2nd-straight National Championship, an undefeated season (18-0) and his 52nd win in a row.

Gable Steveson ends his wrestling career with a national championship!! ????????

On to the WWE! pic.twitter.com/efbVZH3WXR

— Follow @FTB_VIDS (@FTB_VIDS) March 20, 2022

No words can describe this moment.

???? ESPN#NCAAWrestling x @GopherWrestling x @GableSteveson pic.twitter.com/HDXkiVtLHh

— NCAA Wrestling (@NCAAWrestling) March 20, 2022

After the match, Steveson performed his standard backflip, as the crowd cheered. Then, he took off his shoes in the middle of the mat, signaling tonight as the last time he wrestles as a college athlete. Gable confirmed afterward that he is indeed moving onto the next stage of his career, which is expected to be the WWE.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan