Gable Steveson aimed to cap off one of the most remarkable collegiate careers with a third national championship on Saturday but faced an upset in the finals against Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson. Daniel Cormier, who was commentating alongside Jordan Burroughs on ESPN, emphatically conveyed the significance of the moment to viewers.
Steveson, a gold medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), held a 4-2 lead over Hendrickson as the match neared its conclusion. However, Hendrickson managed to secure a three-point takedown, turning the tide and ultimately claiming victory.
Wyatt Hendrickson takes down Gable Steveson to win the national title in the biggest upset in NCAA Wrestling history!
And the ESPN announcers go absolutely bonkers. 🤼♂️🏆🎙️ pic.twitter.com/xUvCG2eP1R
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 23, 2025
“Wyatt Hendrickson just beat Gable Steveson,” Cormier exclaimed with excitement. “That’s unbelievable! This is the craziest moment in NCAA history. Oh, my goodness, Jordan. Oh, my goodness.” He later expressed his thrill on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Shut up,” he said. “That was the craziest ending in NCAA wrestling history. What a moment! I’m so lucky to say I was here.”
Shut up! That was the craziest endings in NCAA wrestling history. What a moment. I’m so lucky to say I was here
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) March 23, 2025
“And that’s why this match was the main event,” he added in a follow-up. “Thank you ESPN for making that the main event. Even if Gable had won, both heavyweights really laid it on the line. What a match and what a night.”
And that’s why this match was the main event! Thank you ESPN for making that main event. Even if Gable had won, both heavyweights really laid it on the line. What a match and what a night
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) March 23, 2025
Cormier wasn’t alone in celebrating the moment; Kurt Angle, a two-time NCAA champion, World Champion, and Olympic Gold Medalist, also acknowledged the significance of the upset, stating, “Congrats to Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State for doing the impossible… by beating Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Stevenson of the U of Minnesota at the 2025 NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia. This could very well be the biggest upset since Dan Gable lost in the finals in 1970. Job well done,” Angle said.
Congrats to Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State for doing the impossible…. by beating Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Stevenson of the U of Minnesota at the 2025 NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia. This could very well be the biggest upset since Dan Gable lost…
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) March 23, 2025
In a heartwarming moment post-match, Hendrickson, who is a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, received congratulations from US President Donald Trump.
Wyatt Hendrickson was congratulated by President Donald Trump after the stunning NCAA Wrestling upset. pic.twitter.com/uuxyjcynVE
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 23, 2025
