States at the 2021 World Championships without having to compete domestically to make the US World Team. On August 15, 2021, Steveson notified USA Wrestling that he would reject the bid in order to pursue other ventures. 2021–2022 In September 2021, it was announced that despite Steveson signing with WWE, he would return to college wrestling under an NIL deal. Steveson ran through regular season and swept the B1G Championship not short of bonus points, earning his third and last conference title with a 13–0 record. At the 2022 NCAA Division I National Championships, Steveson started off with two technical falls, before defeating Northwestern's Lucas Davison and Penn State's Greg Kerkvliet by decision to cruise to the finals. In the finale, he defeated previously unbeaten in the season Cohlton Schultz from Arizona State University, six points to two. After the win, Steveson gave his last signature backflip in a Minnesota singlet and, in an emotional moment, left his shoes on the center of the mat as a sign of respect for the sport and signaling retirement from amateur wrestling, followed by a standing ovation by the crowd. After the tournament, Steveson was named the most outstanding wrestler. Steveson went out as one of the greatest and most dominant collegiate wrestlers in the history of the sport, as a Dan Hodge Trophy winner, two-time NCAA Division I National champion and three-time Big Ten Conference champion. Professional wrestling career In late 2020, Steveson said pursuing a career in WWE as a professional wrestler in order to become a superstar is "a dream I've had since I was a kid". Prior to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Steveson signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) marketing deal with MMA manager Dave Martin. After winning the Olympic gold medal, Steveson gained massive notoriety on social media, and teased the public on whether he would continue wrestling or pursue a career in mixed martial arts or professional wrestling next. Steveson then made a brief appearance at WWE's SummerSlam event on August 21, 2021, and then on September 4, it was announced that Steveson had reportedly signed a contract with WWE. Five days later, WWE confirmed they had signed Steveson to an NIL (Next In Line) deal. Steveson is only the second Olympic gold medalist to be signed by the company, after Kurt Angle. During a July 2022 interview, former WWE star Mr. Kennedy confirmed he