Stevenson signs with WWE

[artradley]

It’s sad that this is the natural progression for wrestlers.

Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson Signs With WWE

In the company’s first-ever NIL deal, Steveson will join the WWE roster while defending his NCAA title for the University of Minnesota.

www.si.com

 

[bdg8]

It really is awful that someone in their early 20s is a millionaire to provide entertainment to millions vs partaking for next to no money in a fringe sport in America

 

[KuwaitHawk]

More power to him. Maybe he can team with Lesner and they become the new Minnesota Wrecking Crew.

 

[SPOONER]

It’s sad that this is the natural progression for wrestlers.

Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson Signs With WWE

In the company’s first-ever NIL deal, Steveson will join the WWE roster while defending his NCAA title for the University of Minnesota.

www.si.com

Natural? I don’t watch pro wrestling but it seems rather rare. Is there a large contingent of ex wrestlers in the WWE and I’m just not aware of it?

 

[24 so far]

Natural? I don’t watch pro wrestling but it seems rather rare. Is there a large contingent of ex wrestlers in the WWE and I’m just not aware of it?

I don't watch the WWE, but it is comprised of mostly large dudes I believe. So that probably eliminates all but a growing 197 lber & HWT's (and likely mostly the "big boys"). There are probably more wrestlers in MMA by a wide margin, due to the weight classes. That's the more normal "natural progression" at this point, near as I can tell anyway.

 

[nearfall2]

I don’t get how real wrestlers go into “Pro Wrestling.” To have someone come up to me and say you are taking the “L” today would not go over well. Don’t get me wrong, I have gotten my share losses but I deserved almost all of them. I’m sure actors and guys who only competed in team sports probably haven’t had to wear a loss like a real wrestler so they don’t know how bad it can feel. Maybe a big enough paycheck might help but it just seems wrong.

 

[24 so far]

I don’t get how real wrestlers go into “Pro Wrestling.” To have someone come up to me and say you are taking the “L” today would not go over well. Don’t get me wrong, I have gotten my share losses but I deserved almost all of them. I’m sure actors and guys who only competed in team sports probably haven’t had to wear a loss like a real wrestler so they don’t know how bad it can feel. Maybe a big enough paycheck might help but it just seems wrong.

Money. It's entertainment and it is a job, there is no Lombardi Trophy awaiting anyone, just a big check for entertaining the masses. Great gig if you can get it, IMO.

As for your analysis of individual versus team sports in regards to winning or losing I couldn't disagree more, and I've been involved in both aspects (Team or Individual) many, many times in my lifetime.

 

[pumpdog20]

I don’t get how real wrestlers go into “Pro Wrestling.” To have someone come up to me and say you are taking the “L” today would not go over well. Don’t get me wrong, I have gotten my share losses but I deserved almost all of them. I’m sure actors and guys who only competed in team sports probably haven’t had to wear a loss like a real wrestler so they don’t know how bad it can feel. Maybe a big enough paycheck might help but it just seems wrong.

LOL

Sign a million dollar contract and you'll figure it out quick.

 

[drunkengoat]

WWE is a brutal sport. It sucks that guys like Bautista, the Rock, and John Cena really can't find a source of income when they are done with MMA.

 

[drunkengoat]

Actually, it does suck, at least for freestyle wrestling fans, because Gable won't be able go give freestyle wrestling his full attention. There will be alot of game planning for Gable now--not that you can necessarily game plan for him. I supposed he could train for wrestling less, but in a smarter way with more $ etc, but he's going to be in the limelight and that will take amazing focus.

 

[SASHmoney]

WWE is a brutal sport. It sucks that guys like Bautista, the Rock, and John Cena really can't find a source of income when they are done with MMA.

Are you serious? None of them ever fought MMA….. and WWE was a launchpad to lucrative acting careers.

 

[grapplefann]

Hey, I like theater and entertainment as well as the next guy, and some actors can make lot of money. Pro "wrestling" can also be really dangerous with all those acrobatics, so I don't mean to take anything away from the hard work and big risks that these actors put into it.
However, why anyone with half a brain could watch these sleazy charades thinking that it's a competitive sport is just silly. If it weren't for the promise of big money, no one would do this. I bet Steveson will be a heel, because traditionally, heels make more money.
Fortunately, we now have MMA, which IS truly competitive, and IS a real sport, so real wrestlers have another way of making cash from their fighting skills that still relates to the oldest and greatest sport, the one that goes back to the ancient Greeks, and the one we follow on this board.

 

[grapplefann]

Are you serious? None of them ever fought MMA….. and WWE was a launchpad to lucrative acting careers.

I think he was being sarcastic.

 

[Neo_Hawk]

I don’t get how real wrestlers go into “Pro Wrestling.” To have someone come up to me and say you are taking the “L” today would not go over well. Don’t get me wrong, I have gotten my share losses but I deserved almost all of them. I’m sure actors and guys who only competed in team sports probably haven’t had to wear a loss like a real wrestler so they don’t know how bad it can feel. Maybe a big enough paycheck might help but it just seems wrong.

This is like saying, " I like Tom Hanks, but if they offered me his part in Saving Private Ryan I would turn it down because I don't like dying.".
WWE is not my bag but it can pay a lot of money. Its athletic acting, perfect for GS.

 

[Grip220]

So can he still compete in college? Also any word if he will try for the Olympic spot 2024?

 

[SPOONER]

I don’t get how real wrestlers go into “Pro Wrestling.” To have someone come up to me and say you are taking the “L” today would not go over well. Don’t get me wrong, I have gotten my share losses but I deserved almost all of them. I’m sure actors and guys who only competed in team sports probably haven’t had to wear a loss like a real wrestler so they don’t know how bad it can feel. Maybe a big enough paycheck might help but it just seems wrong.

Because you’re thinking about it as a sport and not the acting job that it is. A very physical acting job.

So can he still compete in college? Also any word if he will try for the Olympic spot 2024?

No rule against it but basically impossible physically. Not enough hours in the day and the physical demands are prohibitive.

 

[natchrlman]

Because you’re thinking about it as a sport and not the acting job that it is. A very physical acting job.




No rule against it but basically impossible physically. Not enough hours in the day and the physical demands are prohibitive.

Kid has rubbed me wrong hard to be a fan..... but there’s no questioning his talent..... if anyone could do it..... it would probably be him.... aw shit quoted wrong statement referring to being able to do both

 

[crablegs1]

Because you’re thinking about it as a sport and not the acting job that it is. A very physical acting job.

But that’s how they sell it. They want you to think it’s a sport. They don’t sell it as a fictional movie.

 

[el dub]

I don't watch the WWE, but it is comprised of mostly large dudes I believe. So that probably eliminates all but a growing 197 lber & HWT's (and likely mostly the "big boys"). There are probably more wrestlers in MMA by a wide margin, due to the weight classes. That's the more normal "natural progression" at this point, near as I can tell anyway.

Well, weight classes and reel competition. Lol

These days it seems to boil down to deciding if one wants to be an actor who fights or a fighter who acts…

 

[nearfall2]

Hook, line, and …. 😉. Of course I’d take the money and be the biggest fish on the planet if they kept paying me big bucks for it. It’s entertainment wrestling!!! Sorry, It’s the weekend so I thought I’d do some fishing. Thank you for playing and you hard working people enjoy your day off tomorrow.

 

[SPOONER]

But that’s how they sell it. They want you to think it’s a sport. They don’t sell it as a fictional movie.

Very insightful. You really taught me!

 

[anon_0pi0cv8t1ggvb]

But that’s how they sell it. They want you to think it’s a sport. They don’t sell it as a fictional movie.

It's still real to me damnit!

 

[MitchLL]

Not bad for a guy that probably should be on the sex offenders list.

 

[crablegs1]

Very insightful. You really taught me!

Well shouldn’t we think about it, how we’re supposed to thumb about it? I know us sophisticated folk know the gig, but that’s not the product that’s being sold. It’s very much a “real sport” in the eyes of most.

 

[wasdt21]

not a real sport, but some of them are real athletes.

 

[SPOONER]

Well shouldn’t we think about it, how we’re supposed to thumb about it? I know us sophisticated folk know the gig, but that’s not the product that’s being sold. It’s very much a “real sport” in the eyes of most.

Yeah…but why are you telling me this when I clearly understand it?

 

[el dub]

Yeah…but why are you telling me this when I clearly understand it?

It’s pretty clear that he’s stalking you, bruh… Or maybe just pretending to be……

 

[FrontHeadlock2]

Given that he's only 21, and the Olympics this year were a year late, it would seem like a no-brainer to try for another cycle. He'd only be 24 at the end of it not like 32 or anything.

WWE isn't like a sport like the NFL, in that charisma is what sells. If he's charismatic, the lucrative contract will be there in 3 years all the same, except he might have become one of only what, 3 Americans to win multiple Olympic gold medals?

I personally feel like this is a short-sighted mistake given his age, the shorter cycle, and the fact that losing a step athletically really has no bearing on WWE success like it would in a traditional sport. He'd have likely made enough money over the next 3 years anyway.

 

[rossel 33]

View embedded media

It's still real to me damnit!

lol!! does Andy Kaufmann pop out of there after that?

 

[lookleft goright]

Given that he's only 21, and the Olympics this year were a year late, it would seem like a no-brainer to try for another cycle. He'd only be 24 at the end of it not like 32 or anything.

WWE isn't like a sport like the NFL, in that charisma is what sells. If he's charismatic, the lucrative contract will be there in 3 years all the same, except he might have become one of only what, 3 Americans to win multiple Olympic gold medals?

I personally feel like this is a short-sighted mistake given his age, the shorter cycle, and the fact that losing a step athletically really has no bearing on WWE success like it would in a traditional sport. He'd have likely made enough money over the next 3 years anyway.

He seems like the kind of guy who has nothing left to prove and is ready to do something different. I still have not been able to let go of wrestling and I have not done anything amazing in the sport. My hat is off to a guy who can reach his goals and move on. He definitely seems to march to his own drummer.

 

[rossel 33]

According to USA Today article, a gold medal in Olympic wrestling now gets $250,000.

Gable Steveson can add $250,000 to US wrestlers' prize haul with a gold medal

U.S. wrestlers, including Gable Steveson, add to prize medal haul with $250,000 each for a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Here's how it works.

www.usatoday.com

And can't college athletes now make money off their names, images and likenesses? It's not like Steveson would be living in a car.

I realize Steveson could make more $$$ more quickly going the WWE route, but given his young age and dominance, he has the potential to become one of the greatest FS wrestlers in U.S. history. And he could always switch to WWE later... say in his late 20's. Jmho, but what a waste.

 

[GoHawks1996]

To me, listening to articles and quotes from steveson, I think he's after superstardom more than money or anything else.

He could become the greatest freestyle wrestler who's ever lived, and a very large percentage of people still wouldn't know who he was.

If he makes a name for himself in WWE, most people are going to have at least heard of him. I know absolutely nothing about the WWE and still know a few names (ie Bautista, Andre the Giant, Steve Austin, John Cena, The Rock, etc.).

Plus he always came across as a cocky self centered jerk (until Ferrari came along, then he seemed like a Saint by comparison), which will make him the perfect heel in WWE.

 

[SPOONER]

According to USA Today article, a gold medal in Olympic wrestling now gets $250,000.

Gable Steveson can add $250,000 to US wrestlers' prize haul with a gold medal

U.S. wrestlers, including Gable Steveson, add to prize medal haul with $250,000 each for a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Here's how it works.

www.usatoday.com

And can't college athletes now make money off their names, images and likenesses? It's not like Steveson would be living in a car.

I realize Steveson could make more $$$ more quickly going the WWE route, but given his young age and dominance, he has the potential to become one of the greatest FS wrestlers in U.S. history. And he could always switch to WWE later... say in his late 20's. Jmho, but what a waste.

It’s been $250K for awhile. There’s not a lot of NIL out there for a college wrestler in Minnesota. He will make multiples of that in the next year thanks to the WWE and not have to wait four years for a big payday that may or may not come.

 

[rider57]

It really is awful that someone in their early 20s is a millionaire to provide entertainment to millions vs partaking for next to no money in a fringe sport in America

What is awful is that our dummy society would rather watch admittedly fake fighting rather than actual competitive wrestling. I don't fault Steveson for doing this at all. Smart on his part, he could repeat what he just did and still not have any more worth to the WWE as he does right now. But if he fails at any point in repeating as a NCAA champion, world team title, ect his stock falls and potentially falls hard.

 

[rider57]

To me, listening to articles and quotes from steveson, I think he's after superstardom more than money or anything else.

He could become the greatest freestyle wrestler who's ever lived, and a very large percentage of people still wouldn't know who he was.

If he makes a name for himself in WWE, most people are going to have at least heard of him. I know absolutely nothing about the WWE and still know a few names (ie Bautista, Andre the Giant, Steve Austin, John Cena, The Rock, etc.).

Plus he always came across as a cocky self centered jerk (until Ferrari came along, then he seemed like a Saint by comparison), which will make him the perfect heel in WWE.

I in no way shape or form say that Gable owes it to wrestling because IMO he doesn't (I know some people will probably adamantly disagree with that). But if Gable stuck around for another quad, I do think it would help grow the sport nationally. Your point stands a very large % of people still wouldn't know who he is. But a very large % of people didn't know who the Rock was until he started playing in movies. That could be Gable's vision, but how many has that worked out for?

 

[wasdt21]

let the rappo go

 

[redghost1974]

As much of a specimen Gable may be, is isn't cartoonish yet and will need a Lesnar juicing to be WWE shredded. Unless he is the next Mick Foley/Junkyard Dog body type.

 

[HawkeyePA]

i thought i saw in an interview with Triple H... President of Talent in the WWE that Steveson was looking for a lucrative deal that also included an opportunity to develop into movie roles and MMA doesn't have that platform available for their top talents . also if he were to lose in the next Olympics it would actually HURT his public image and he wouldn't have near the financial gains he has now. he has too strike the deal now while the iron is still hot and he is still in the limelight of the Olympic Gold Win

 

[natchrlman]

According to USA Today article, a gold medal in Olympic wrestling now gets $250,000.

Gable Steveson can add $250,000 to US wrestlers' prize haul with a gold medal

U.S. wrestlers, including Gable Steveson, add to prize medal haul with $250,000 each for a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Here's how it works.

www.usatoday.com

And can't college athletes now make money off their names, images and likenesses? It's not like Steveson would be living in a car.

I realize Steveson could make more $$$ more quickly going the WWE route, but given his young age and dominance, he has the potential to become one of the greatest FS wrestlers in U.S. history. And he could always switch to WWE later... say in his late 20's. Jmho, but what a waste.

yep that’s my take as well..... I personally think the WWE is a bunch of idiocy and can’t for the life of me see the attraction for fans so I just don’t get his decision at all.....he might regret it someday .... young men that age don’t always make the best life decisions..... but hey he’ll be rich so there’s that 😂

 

[anon_0pi0cv8t1ggvb]

As much of a specimen Gable may be, is isn't cartoonish yet and will need a Lesnar juicing to be WWE shredded. Unless he is the next Mick Foley/Junkyard Dog body type.

I was surprised how small Steveson looked standing next to Lesnar in a recent pic. Lesnar is an absolute freak. The roids certainly help. He's a jacked white boy though! Deal with it!