Wrestling Shockwave: Wyatt Hendrickson Stuns Gable Steveson in NCAA Heavyweight Final with Trump Watching
The unthinkable happened at the NCAA men’s wrestling championships in Philadelphia—Wyatt Hendrickson, a relative underdog and transfer from Air Force, shocked Olympic gold medalist and WWE veteran Gable Steveson with a last-minute takedown in the heavyweight final. And to make the moment even more surreal? Former President Donald Trump was watching from the stands.
The Unstoppable Stopped: Hendrickson Ends Steveson’s Reign
Steveson, riding a jaw-dropping 70-match winning streak, was in control for most of the bout. But Hendrickson had other plans. In the final minute of the third period, with the crowd roaring, Hendrickson scored the only takedown Steveson allowed all season, clinching a stunning 5-4 victory.
It was a moment of history—Hendrickson became Oklahoma State’s first heavyweight NCAA champion since 2005, and Steveson, who had retired after winning back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022, saw his comeback end in heartbreak.
A Victory Fit for a Commander-in-Chief
Hendrickson didn’t just soak in the glory—he saluted Trump, draped himself in the American flag, and walked over to shake hands and hug the former president. The political overtones were impossible to ignore, sparking a social media frenzy over whether sports and politics should mix so openly.
Trump, who had attended the championships before as a candidate in 2023, watched from a VIP section, drawing cheers and boos from the divided crowd. His presence turned an already headline-grabbing upset into a cultural lightning rod.
Penn State’s Dynasty Rolls On
Meanwhile, Penn State continued its wrestling dominance, clinching its 12th national title under coaching legend Cael Sanderson. Carter Starocci cemented his legacy by winning an unprecedented fifth national title—this time at 184 pounds, after four championships at 174.
Nebraska had its best NCAA performance ever, finishing second with 117 points, while Oklahoma State and Iowa rounded out the top four.
What’s Next? A Legacy in Question
For Steveson, the loss leaves his future in limbo. His WWE run fizzled, his NFL dreams with the Buffalo Bills never materialized, and now, his NCAA comeback has ended in an upset. Will he return for redemption, or is this the end of his legendary amateur wrestling journey?
As for Hendrickson, the sky’s the limit. Beating an Olympic gold medalist on the biggest collegiate stage has already etched his name into wrestling history. But with Trump in the mix, his victory is now a political conversation, too. Was this just about wrestling—or something much bigger?
