WWE Released Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson
The professional wrestling organization released the former Olympian in May 2024 following concerns about his performance.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Wrestling
WWE parted ways with Gable Steveson in May 2024 after management concluded he lacked the charisma and speaking ability necessary for a featured role. Steveson previously won an Olympic gold medal in 2020 before attempting a career in professional wrestling and the NFL.
Why it matters
Executives reportedly decided against pushing Steveson because of his perceived lack of progression within the organization. Steveson later noted that his intense drive for competitive sports prevented him from fully committing to the requirements of professional wrestling.
Gable Steveson, now 26, is a former Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medalist who earned his title in 2020. Following his time in WWE, he transitioned to the UFC, where he was recently knocked out by Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 on September 19, 2026.
The players
Gable Steveson
He is an American wrestler and combat sports athlete who gained fame by winning a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
WWE
This is a global integrated media organization that produces professional wrestling television programming and live events.
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the premier international mixed martial arts promotion company.
Sean Sharaf
He is a professional mixed martial artist who competed against Gable Steveson at UFC 331.
The details
Steveson struggled to adapt to the demands of sports entertainment, leading WWE to pull back on his development. Beyond his wrestling and brief NFL attempts, he has since shifted his focus back to combat sports within the UFC.
Timeline
Steveson won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling in 2020.
WWE officially released Gable Steveson in May 2024.
Gable Steveson fought at UFC 331 on September 19, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Steveson's transition from the 2020 Olympic gold medal win to professional wrestling and later mixed martial arts highlights the volatile nature of elite athletes switching disciplines. His departure from WWE underscores the rarity of successful crossovers when athletic pedigree does not immediately translate to on-camera charisma.
Steveson's release effectively closes his chapter in sports entertainment, removing him from any active WWE roster considerations or future storylines. Fans looking to follow his progress must now track his professional standing through UFC events instead of wrestling broadcasts.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates that elite physical achievement in amateur sports does not always guarantee a seamless transition to the entertainment-heavy world of professional wrestling. Future athletes in similar positions may find more success by focusing on a singular discipline rather than attempting to juggle multiple professional paths.
Further reading
For more on the industry's landscape, explore the Wrestling archives.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportskeeda.
