Wrestling Fans Push Gable Steveson Aside as 4x Big Champion Snubbed for Iowa State Legend

Gable Steveson might have ended his collegiate career on a high, but for many wrestling fans, his achievements still pale in comparison to the legend of Cael Sanderson. After Steveson’s dominant 19-3 tech fall victory in his final home match for Minnesota, former US Open Champion Reece Humphrey took to X, posing the question, “Is Gable Steveson the best collegiate wrestler of all time?” But while Steveson’s 66-match winning streak and two NCAA titles are nothing short of remarkable, the wrestling world had a clear answer—no one surpasses Cael.

Sanderson’s legacy remains untouchable, his 159-0 record across four NCAA seasons standing as the ultimate benchmark of perfection. No wrestler before or since has matched his feat, making him the undisputed gold standard of collegiate wrestling. While Gable Steveson carved out his own place in history, becoming the first heavyweight in Big Ten history to win four titles and just the 19th wrestler ever to do so, fans were quick to remind everyone that dominance alone doesn’t rewrite history.

Compared to Sanderson’s flawless career, Steveson’s 99-2 record, though incredible, simply isn’t enough to dethrone the Iowa State icon. FloWrestling fanned the flames with a bold question on X: “Who is better in their prime—Cael or Gable?” The conversation quickly turned into a decisive argument in favor of Sanderson. While Steveson’s combination of athleticism and dominance is undeniable, Sanderson’s perfection remains the immovable gold standard. As one analyst put it, “Obviously, credential-wise, Cael wins. He never officially lost. He has four titles. He’s number one.”

Who is better in their prime – Cael or Gable?
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Another major point of distinction? Their approach to competition. While Gable Steveson had the ability to score at will, he often controlled matches strategically, knowing he had already secured victory. Sanderson, on the other hand, was relentless. “The dominance and just the constant pursuit of scoring is what separates him from everyone. He was always looking to score,” noted another analyst in the clip. That mindset is what led Sanderson to dismantle his opponents, never coasting on a lead, but instead breaking them completely.

And then there’s the legacy factor. Sanderson’s record included wins over some of the toughest names in collegiate wrestling history. Athletes like Daniel Cormier, Vertus Jones, and Jon Trenge, all considered among the best to never win a title. Steveson’s absence from the NCAA for two seasons due to his WWE and MMA ventures left fans wondering what his record could have been if he had stayed. In the eyes of wrestling purists, Sanderson’s name on the top stands alone. As the debate rages on, fans have made their voices heard.

Why Cael Sanderson’s legacy still overshadows Gable Steveson

Steveson’s dominant 10-3 victory over defending national champion Greg Kerkvliet was a statement in itself, snapping a 38-match win streak and solidifying his place as one of the greatest heavyweights of his era. His undefeated season, boasting a 6-0 record against top-10 opponents and 14-0 overall, further cemented his dominance. Even Penn State’s head coach, Cael Sanderson, vouched for Kerkvliet’s potential, but on that night, none of it mattered.

“Man, no offense to Gable, but prime Cael was a different beast,” one fan remarked, echoing a sentiment that has resonated across the wrestling community. Another added with conviction, “Cael, without any doubt.” Because for all of Steveson’s accolades, the pedestal Sanderson sits on remains untouched. The legacy Sanderson built wasn’t just about winning. It was about rewriting what perfection in collegiate wrestling looked like.

From his days at Iowa State, where he went an unprecedented 159-0, to his tenure as Penn State’s head coach, where he transformed the program into a dynasty with 11 NCAA team titles, his dominance has never wavered. “Cael, there’s no doubt about this, not even a debate,” another fan asserted, unwilling to entertain any discussion of Steveson surpassing the legend. And truth be told, it’s hard to argue with that. Sanderson’s four NCAA titles, each won with an unblemished record, remain an unattainable standard. Even an Olympic gold, as impressive as it is, doesn’t change the fact that Sanderson at the collegiate level was simply untouchable. Not to mention the fact that Cael Sanderson has an Olympic gold of his own.

There’s something about Sanderson’s name that commands universal respect, even from those who never witnessed his reign firsthand. His NCAA run wasn’t just about racking up wins. It was about doing so with a relentless, attacking style that made him impossible to stop. “The Olympic medal is good, but man, Cael in NCAA was a menace,” a fan pointed out, emphasizing how Sanderson’s dominance transcended mere numbers. Another agreed, saying, “Sanderson was just better altogether.” His ability to push the pace, score at will, and never settle for anything less than absolute supremacy is what separates him from even the best of the best. What are your thoughts on this rising debate between two great wrestlers?

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