March 22, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly, Wyatt Hendrickson pulled off what’s gotta be the wildest upset I’ve ever seen in college wrestling. The NCAA Championships heavyweight final. Oklahoma State’s Hendrickson versus Minnesota’s Gable Steveson Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA champ, a guy who hadn’t lost in forever. Final score: 5-4, Hendrickson. I’m still reeling, and if you saw it, I bet you are too. Let’s unpack this moment that’s got everyone—from fans to legends calling it the biggest shocker in NCAA history.
The Build-Up: Goliath Meets an Unfazed David
Steveson’s the name you know. Olympic champ in Tokyo 2020 at just 21, youngest super heavyweight freestyle gold medalist ever. Two NCAA titles 2021 and 2022 both Hodge Trophies, a 70-match win streak coming into last night. This season? Untouchable. Didn’t give up a single takedown not one all year. After stints with WWE and a tryout with the Buffalo Bills, he came back to Minnesota for one last college run, his final year of eligibility. A third NCAA title felt like a done deal, right? Everyone thought so.
Then there’s Wyatt Hendrickson. Oklahoma State’s transfer from Air Force, a Second Lieutenant, 27-0 this season, but still the underdog. He’d faced Steveson once before 2021 NCAA second round and got smoked 18-2 by tech fall. No one saw this coming. Posts on X were hyping Steveson’s entrance strutting out WWE-style to Biggie’s “Big Poppa” while Hendrickson walked in draped in an American flag, cool as anything. You could feel the stakes, but it was like David strolling up to Goliath with a slingshot and a grin.
The Match: Three Periods of Pure Drama
First period, Steveson struck fast 12 seconds in, he’s on Hendrickson’s leg, and after a 44-second scramble, he scores the takedown. Hendrickson escapes, but it’s 3-1. Steveson’s in control, doing what he does. Second period, Hendrickson picks bottom, escapes quick 3-2 now and holds tough. Steveson’s shots come, but Hendrickson’s scrappy, kicking out, keeping it close. You’re thinking, “Okay, he’s hanging in, but Steveson’s got this.”
Third period’s where it flips. Steveson starts down, escapes to 4-2, and with 30 seconds left, it’s looking like game over. Then boom Hendrickson shoots. Grabs a leg, switches to a double, powers through. Takedown. 5-4. The crowd’s losing it 18,000 people on their feet, screaming so loud ESPN’s Daniel Cormier can’t even hear himself yell, “Oh my goodness! Wyatt Hendrickson just beat Gable Steveson!” Hendrickson locks Steveson down, rides him out clock hits zero. He’s done it. The only takedown Steveson gave up all year, and it cost him everything.
The Aftermath: Shock, Joy, and a Salute
When the ref raised Hendrickson’s hand, he collapsed to his back, staring up like he couldn’t believe it. Steveson dropped to his knees, gutted. Hendrickson’s coaches mobbed him, and then get this he salutes President Trump in the stands, walks over with the flag draped around him, shakes his hand, gives him a hug. Trump’s grinning, fist pumping. “I’m very proud of you,” he says. Hendrickson’s beaming, later telling ESPN, “It’s bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything.”
Steveson? He’s 103-3 now, his college career done. Posts on X say he sat there stunned while Hendrickson celebrated. “The biggest upset in NCAA history,” Jordan Burroughs called it on the broadcast. Cormier added, “I don’t know if I’ve ever been that surprised at a wrestling match.” Kurt Angle chimed in online: “This could be the biggest upset since Dan Gable lost.”
Why It’s Historic
Let’s put this in perspective. Steveson’s a legend 103 wins, two NCAA titles, Olympic gold, four Big Ten crowns. Hendrickson? A guy who’d placed third twice at NCAAs with Air Force, now in his first year at Oklahoma State under new coach David Taylor. Steveson hadn’t lost since 2019 six years, 70 matches. Hendrickson turned that into history with 21 seconds of guts and grit. It’s not just the win it’s who he beat, how he did it, and when.
Oklahoma State’s night was already big Dean Hamiti Jr. upset two-time champ Keegan O’Toole at 174 pounds earlier but this? This was the capper. The Cowboys took third in team standings with 102.5 points, behind Nebraska (117) and Penn State (177), who nabbed their fourth straight title. But Hendrickson stole the show.
What Hendrickson Said
Post-match, he’s emotional, raw. “Today, I took the gold medal I’m No. 1,” he told ESPN. “All week, I’ve been looking at David and Goliath. No one thought David could take down Goliath, but I did.” He talked faith “I trusted in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and He gave me that victory” and grit: “I was squeezing him… I don’t care if I had to rip my arms off. I was holding this man down and winning this match.” You can hear the belief in his voice, the kind that turns impossible into real.
The Buzz on X
Folks on X are still freaking out today. One post called it “pure cinema” the shot, the scramble, the crowd erupting. Another said it’s “the greatest wrestling match I’ve ever seen.” Someone tagged Elon Musk, raving about “Captain America” Hendrickson’s last-30-second push. The vibe? Shock, awe, and a lot of “Did that just happen?” Even now, Sunday afternoon, it’s trending people can’t stop talking about it.
What’s Next?
For Hendrickson, it’s a fairy-tale ending to his college run 27-0, national champ, maybe even the Hodge Trophy, which seemed Steveson’s lock. He’s got Air Force duties ahead, but this win’s forever. Steveson’s eyeing the 2028 Olympics, maybe MMA he’s praised Bo Nickal’s rise and might follow. But last night’s sting? That’ll linger.
For wrestling, this is a jolt. Penn State’s Carter Starocci made history with a fifth title at 184, but Hendrickson’s upset is the heartbeat of these championships. It’s why we watch because sometimes, the guy no one bets on flips the script and leaves us all speechless.
My Take
I’m still buzzing about it, honestly. It’s Sunday afternoon, and I can’t shake that final scramble Hendrickson’s arms locked, Steveson fighting to break free, the clock ticking down. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you why sports matter: it’s messy, human, and unpredictable.
The Build-Up: Goliath Meets an Unfazed David
Steveson’s the name you know. Olympic champ in Tokyo 2020 at just 21, youngest super heavyweight freestyle gold medalist ever. Two NCAA titles 2021 and 2022 both Hodge Trophies, a 70-match win streak coming into last night. This season? Untouchable. Didn’t give up a single takedown not one all year. After stints with WWE and a tryout with the Buffalo Bills, he came back to Minnesota for one last college run, his final year of eligibility. A third NCAA title felt like a done deal, right? Everyone thought so.
Then there’s Wyatt Hendrickson. Oklahoma State’s transfer from Air Force, a Second Lieutenant, 27-0 this season, but still the underdog. He’d faced Steveson once before 2021 NCAA second round and got smoked 18-2 by tech fall. No one saw this coming. Posts on X were hyping Steveson’s entrance strutting out WWE-style to Biggie’s “Big Poppa” while Hendrickson walked in draped in an American flag, cool as anything. You could feel the stakes, but it was like David strolling up to Goliath with a slingshot and a grin.
The Match: Three Periods of Pure Drama
First period, Steveson struck fast 12 seconds in, he’s on Hendrickson’s leg, and after a 44-second scramble, he scores the takedown. Hendrickson escapes, but it’s 3-1. Steveson’s in control, doing what he does. Second period, Hendrickson picks bottom, escapes quick 3-2 now and holds tough. Steveson’s shots come, but Hendrickson’s scrappy, kicking out, keeping it close. You’re thinking, “Okay, he’s hanging in, but Steveson’s got this.”
Third period’s where it flips. Steveson starts down, escapes to 4-2, and with 30 seconds left, it’s looking like game over. Then boom Hendrickson shoots. Grabs a leg, switches to a double, powers through. Takedown. 5-4. The crowd’s losing it 18,000 people on their feet, screaming so loud ESPN’s Daniel Cormier can’t even hear himself yell, “Oh my goodness! Wyatt Hendrickson just beat Gable Steveson!” Hendrickson locks Steveson down, rides him out clock hits zero. He’s done it. The only takedown Steveson gave up all year, and it cost him everything.
The Aftermath: Shock, Joy, and a Salute
When the ref raised Hendrickson’s hand, he collapsed to his back, staring up like he couldn’t believe it. Steveson dropped to his knees, gutted. Hendrickson’s coaches mobbed him, and then get this he salutes President Trump in the stands, walks over with the flag draped around him, shakes his hand, gives him a hug. Trump’s grinning, fist pumping. “I’m very proud of you,” he says. Hendrickson’s beaming, later telling ESPN, “It’s bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything.”
Steveson? He’s 103-3 now, his college career done. Posts on X say he sat there stunned while Hendrickson celebrated. “The biggest upset in NCAA history,” Jordan Burroughs called it on the broadcast. Cormier added, “I don’t know if I’ve ever been that surprised at a wrestling match.” Kurt Angle chimed in online: “This could be the biggest upset since Dan Gable lost.”
Why It’s Historic
Let’s put this in perspective. Steveson’s a legend 103 wins, two NCAA titles, Olympic gold, four Big Ten crowns. Hendrickson? A guy who’d placed third twice at NCAAs with Air Force, now in his first year at Oklahoma State under new coach David Taylor. Steveson hadn’t lost since 2019 six years, 70 matches. Hendrickson turned that into history with 21 seconds of guts and grit. It’s not just the win it’s who he beat, how he did it, and when.
Oklahoma State’s night was already big Dean Hamiti Jr. upset two-time champ Keegan O’Toole at 174 pounds earlier but this? This was the capper. The Cowboys took third in team standings with 102.5 points, behind Nebraska (117) and Penn State (177), who nabbed their fourth straight title. But Hendrickson stole the show.
What Hendrickson Said
Post-match, he’s emotional, raw. “Today, I took the gold medal I’m No. 1,” he told ESPN. “All week, I’ve been looking at David and Goliath. No one thought David could take down Goliath, but I did.” He talked faith “I trusted in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and He gave me that victory” and grit: “I was squeezing him… I don’t care if I had to rip my arms off. I was holding this man down and winning this match.” You can hear the belief in his voice, the kind that turns impossible into real.
The Buzz on X
Folks on X are still freaking out today. One post called it “pure cinema” the shot, the scramble, the crowd erupting. Another said it’s “the greatest wrestling match I’ve ever seen.” Someone tagged Elon Musk, raving about “Captain America” Hendrickson’s last-30-second push. The vibe? Shock, awe, and a lot of “Did that just happen?” Even now, Sunday afternoon, it’s trending people can’t stop talking about it.
What’s Next?
For Hendrickson, it’s a fairy-tale ending to his college run 27-0, national champ, maybe even the Hodge Trophy, which seemed Steveson’s lock. He’s got Air Force duties ahead, but this win’s forever. Steveson’s eyeing the 2028 Olympics, maybe MMA he’s praised Bo Nickal’s rise and might follow. But last night’s sting? That’ll linger.
For wrestling, this is a jolt. Penn State’s Carter Starocci made history with a fifth title at 184, but Hendrickson’s upset is the heartbeat of these championships. It’s why we watch because sometimes, the guy no one bets on flips the script and leaves us all speechless.
My Take
I’m still buzzing about it, honestly. It’s Sunday afternoon, and I can’t shake that final scramble Hendrickson’s arms locked, Steveson fighting to break free, the clock ticking down. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you why sports matter: it’s messy, human, and unpredictable.
