Gable Steveson has opened up about his departure from WWE, admitting that he was not giving his full effort during his tenure with the company. Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the Olympic Gold Medalist explained that he wanted to compete in legitimate sports, which hindered his ability to commit fully to professional wrestling.
Steveson stated that trying to bridge the gap between amateur wrestling and WWE proved impossible. He noted that his lingering competitive drive created a conflict that ultimately led to his exit.
“I had a great experience. I have nothing wrong with anybody there. TKO was great, ‘Triple H’ Paul Levesque was great, Stephanie, Vince… everybody was great,” Steveson said. “I just had a competitive drive that I needed to get out. When you have that gap is there, you can’t do both. I was trying to bridge both, and I wasn’t giving my 100% to the business. If I’m not going to give 100% to the business, then you might as well X me out because it’s already over with. That’s practically how it happened.”
Despite the release, Steveson insisted he has no ill will toward the organization. He expressed a desire to return to WWE down the line, specifically mentioning a goal to return as a multi-time UFC World Heavyweight Champion.
“I would love to go back in the future. I would love to do a sport and go out there and dominate,” Steveson continued. “I would love to go if it meant well, and I would do it again most definitely because I have no hard feelings to them.”
Steveson was signed to WWE from September 2021 to May 2024. Despite the high anticipation surrounding his signing, he wrestled only one televised match on NXT against Baron Corbin during his time with the promotion.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Joe Rogan Experience with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
