GABLE'S GIRL
Who is Gable Steveson’s girlfriend, Maddie Mitchell?
The duo have known each other since they were teenagers
DESPITE his relatively young age, Gable Steveson is one of the nation's most prolific wrestlers, having found success in his high school and collegiate days to the professional wrestling circuit.
Gable Steveson made headlines after the Olympic champion was signed to – and then released from – his WWE contract, leaving fans wondering what was next for the wrestling star, and whether his longtime girlfriend, Maddie Mitchell, would be along for the ride.
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Who is Gable Steveson's girlfriend, Maddie Mitchell?
Madelyn Jo Mitchell was born on March 17, 2000.
She was raised in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and moved to Holstein, Iowa, to attend college.
Mitchell majored in Communication Studies and Event Management at the University of Iowa beginning in the fall of 2017 and graduated in 2021.
She even posted a smiling selfie standing in front of one of the university's academic buildings, holding her graduation cap, to commemorate the big day.
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"Went through my highest of highs and lowest of lows these past 4 years," she captioned the post.
"Thank you to everyone who stuck by my side through it all. WE did it!"
According to her LinkedIn, Mitchell was a part-time Floor Manager, Waitress, and Head Host of Formosa Sushi Restaurant in Iowa City, positions she's held since August 2017.
She was previously a part-time Wellness Counselor at Builders of Hope Global Village Inc. from October 2019 to February 2020.
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She is currently an Events Coordinator at the Brick and Banister Real Estate Company in Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
According to her social media posts, Mitchell and Steveson went public with their relationship a few years ago, making things Facebook official on October 15, 2021.
She posted her first photo with Steveson on her Instagram on October 24, 2021.
Olympic gold medal wrestler Gable Steveson open to MMA switch as he tells UFC chief Dana White to 'come and talk'
However, it appears as though the duo have known each other for much longer – and began dating long-distance in 2016 – according to Mitchell's 2022 Instagram post.
"The 15 year old boy who had me FaceTiming all hours of the day, matured into the man that would have my heart today," she captioned the post.
"Over the years, I’ve been blessed enough to watch Gable blossom both athletically and personally."
"From the day I met him, the heart he had was so evident and pure."
"6 years later we were doing long distance, I was making 10 hour round trips every other week."
"I moved states to follow my heart, and Gable has proved to me everyday it was worth it."
The happy couple currently reside in Minnesota, where they are the proud dog parents of two french bulldogs, Stitch and Rocco.
Who is Gable Steveson?
Gable Dan Steveson is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler.
Steveson was born on May 31, 2000, in Portage, Indiana.
His mother named him after the legendary wrestler and coach, Dan Gable.
Following in his two older brothers' footsteps, Steveson began wrestling as soon as he could walk.
One of his brothers, Bobby Steveson, is a professional wrestler currently signed to WWE under the moniker Damon Kemp.
In middle school, Steveson's parents moved the family to Apple Valley, Minnesota, so their children could attend and compete for Apple Valley High School, which had a powerhouse wrestling program.
Steveson went on to win four state titles and received both the Junior Schalles Award and the Junior Hodge Trophy.
He had a 171 match win-streak and claimed several age-group World Championships before turning 18.
Despite being one of the top recruits in the country, Steveson chose to attend the University of Minnesota.
As part of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Steveson won several NCAA Division 1 and Big Ten Championships, including:
- 2019 Pittsburgh – Bronze
- 2019 Minneapolis – Silver
- 2020 Piscataway – Gold
- 2021 St. Louis – Gold
- 2021 State College – Gold
- 2022 Detroit – Gold
- 2022 Lincoln – Gold
While in school, he also qualified for the 2020 US Olympic Team, and, despite the Olympics being postponed as a result of Covid-19, managed to secure a hard-earned gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
As an Olympic medalist, Steveson earned the right to represent the US at the 2021 World Championships, though he declined the offer.
Instead, he signed with WWE in September 2021, and returned to college wrestling under an NIL deal.
In 2022, he was named the Big Ten Athlete of the Year.
Steveson also won the 2023 US Open Wrestling Championships, including the 2023 Final X, which earned him the right to represent the US at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships.
Again, he declined the offer, for reasons unknown.
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When was Gable Steveson released from WWE?
Gable Steveson's brief WWE career has come to an end, it was announced on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
Steveson was officially released from his contract the day prior, Friday, May 3, 2024.
He had made a brief appearance at WWE's SummerSlam event on August 21, 2021, and signed with WWE just a few weeks later on September 4.
As part of the 2021 WWE Draft, Steveson was signed to the Raw brand, a deal that went into effect on October 22, 2021.
He made his first appearance in the ring at Wrestlemania 38 in April 2022.
Following his backstage segment on a June 20, 2023 episode of NXT: Gold Rush, Steveson was moved to the NXT brand full-time.
His first match was against Baron Corbin at the NXT The Great American Bash, which ended in no contest after the duo threw each other over the announcers' desk.
Fans and viewers alike turned against Steveson during the match, cheering on Corbin, who had been the "heel," or "villain" of the match.
In September 2023, Steveson was removed from the NXT roster.
He made a brief return on January 5, 2024, defeating Cedric Alexander during SmackDown: New Year's Resolution.
Unfortunately, the win wasn't enough to convince WWE executives that Steveson should remain as part of the brand.
He was released from his contract along with 11 other wrestlers, including:
- Boa
- Julian Baldi
- Ezekiel Balogun
- Emma Maria Diaz
- Valentina Feroz
- Trey Bearhill
- Kiyah Saint
- Keyshawn Leflore
- Drew Gulak
- Darrell Mason
- Vlad Pavienko
Some fans were understandably surprised at Steveson's release, given that he had participated in only one poorly-received televised match.
"Didn't see this coming! Gable Steveson's WWE run ends abruptly. Interesting to see what's next for the Olympic gold medalist," tweeted one user.
Still, not all WWE fans seemed devastated at the decision.
"Gable Steveson getting released from WWE is the best news to wake up to this morning," tweeted another user.
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"The timing of the cut is especially cruel because had it been a few weeks earlier, he could have competed in the Olympic trials, which, based on his 2023 performance, he'd have been the heavy favorite," Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online wrote.
"He would have been a favorite for either a gold or silver medal in the Olympics this summer had he done so, but it's too late to make the U.S. team, as Parris will be the heavyweight," they added.