Rematch? Wyatt Hendrickson vs. Gable Stevenson Through the New RAF
STILLWATER – Local hero turned national hero and perhaps World hero come September Wyatt Hendrickson is the headline performer for the new Real American Freestyle professional wrestling operation. This is real freestyle wrestling and not the dramatic and scripted version of the sport like WWE. One of the first designs of the RAF is for a rematch of the 2025 NCAA Heavyweight Championship match and the massive upset that Hendrickson engineered over existing and unbeaten NCAA two-time champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson.
Hendrickson stunned the sellout crowd in the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia when he defeated Minnesota’s Steveson in the 285-pound final. It was close throughout but a dramatic last-second takedown sealed a 5-4 win. Hendrickson finished his season undefeated at 27-0, and he snapped Steveson’s 70-match winning streak.
Steveson has tried WWE and the NFL before coming back in December of 2024 to NCAA wrestling. He is now expected to try MMA competition. Real American Freestyle (RAF) announced Tuesday a partnership with Takedown apparel and confirmed talks with Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson about a possible rematch.
Hendrickson will headline RAF’s first-ever competition on Aug. 30 in Cleveland. It is uncertain what his role will be, but Hendickson has to be cautious as he is scheduled to compete for Team USA at 125 kg in the upcoming World Wrestling Championships Sept. 13-18 in Croatia. Hendrickson qualified for that event winning the USA Senior Open in June and then finalizing his spot with a win in Final X. Oklahoma State commitment in the class of 2026, Jax Forrest is also going to the World Championships at 61 kg.
