Gable Steveson might be the most sought-after young star in combat sports today.
Steveson recently won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in the men’s freestyle 125kg event, becoming the first American to win freestyle gold since 1992. However, even before the Olympics, the amateur wrestling star was turning heads not only in the professional ranks but in the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
Ahead of the Olympics, Kurt Angle who knows a thing or two about amateur wrestling, said that Steveson had the potential to be the next Brock Lesnar.
Following his win in Tokyo, the young star has already started having fun at the internet’s expense. With the former NCAA Champion sending very public messages to both Vince McMahon and UFC supremo Dana White.
Steveson who has already revealed that he will be at WWE SummerSlam on August 21st, has also dangled a further carrot in WWE’s direction.
Speaking to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Steveson talked up Paul Heyman, calling the Special Counsel to Roman Reigns a legend.
“If I ever go to WWE, I’d be a ‘Paul Heyman Guy.’ Heyman is a legend. We’d be two people doing great things, and that would be a tough team to beat. And I’ve known Brock since I was in high school. He’s been there for me for a long time, making sure I do things the right way and put my best foot forward,”
Continuing further, the Indiana native also revealed that he has had contact with a number of UFC stars as well as numerous NFL franchises.
“WWE has been so great to me. Triple H, Brock, Heyman, Ric Flair and so many others have been so supportive. So have people from UFC, like Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones and Henry Cejudo, who have also sent me congratulations. So many great organizations and teams have reached out. A scout from the Bills, there is a connection with the Ravens. The Olympic gold medal is helping me see the world, so my next step is going to be a big decision. I’m going to decompress now and think about it.”
SummerSlam won’t be Steveson’s first brush with WWE as the Olympian appeared in the crowd at April’s NXT TakeOver: Stand And Deliver. After the event, Triple H revealed that the two sides had been talking for “a long time.2
H/t to Fightful for the transcription.