Real Reason WWE Released Gable Steveson

Gable Steveson, WWE's Olympic-sized bust, was released from the promotion because he was on a lucrative contract and "wasn't cutting it" as a wrestler.

Dave Meltzer reported as much on Wrestling Observer Radio. Steveson's wrestling ability, lack of charisma, and minimal crowd responses in his last few dark matches ultimately cost him his job.

Steveson was released by WWE alongside several other NXT and Performance Center athletes last week. The former Olympian worked five SmackDown dark matches in 2024, the last of which took place on 9 February, when that run ended as abruptly as it had begun.

WWE signed Steveson to much fanfare in September 2021, one year after winning the gold medal in the 125 kg weight class for freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Drafted to Raw the following year, Steveson never appeared for the brand. He showed up on-scamera twice in 2022, at WrestleMania 38 then on a December SmackDown, before seemingly moving to NXT, wrestling Baron Corbin in a poorly received Great American Bash bout in July 2023.

Meltzer had previously reported that WWE's decision to cut Steveson came too late for him to attend U.S. Olympic trials on 19 and 20 April. Previously, former UFC Champion Henry Cejudo claimed WWE had blocked Gable from attending said trials.

Steveson and a University of Minnesota wrestling teammate were arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual misconduct in June 2019. Criminal charges ultimately weren't pursued following the conclusion that there wasn't enough evidence. The county attorney, in justifying this decision, also cited the absence of a Minnesota law that would allow broader discretion in charging sexual assaults involving intoxicated victims.

Meltzer stated, on WOR, that WWE signed Steveson with full knowledge of the allegations. They seemingly weren't a factor in his dismissal, though Meltzer believes they likely contributed to his poor crowd reactions opposite Corbin.