Paul Heyman came out with The Beast Incarnate during the latter’s Hell in a Cell match against Oba Femi on Night One of SummerSlam. And now he appears to have acknowledged the next Brock Lesnar, and it isn’t The Ruler.
Hailing from the University of Minnesota, Gable Steveson was a dominant collegiate wrestler when he was selected to represent the United States in the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. There, he won gold in Freestyle Wrestling in the 125 kg weight division. He was signed up by WWE soon after.
Thanks for the submission!
Although he stayed with the company for three years and honed his skills in NXT, he was released by the promotion in 2024 after only one match on television. Curiously, Paul Heyman and Steveson have known each other for years, through their common connection in Brock Lesnar, who also hails from the University of Minnesota.
Paul Heyman took to his X/Twitter earlier today to acknowledge the next Brock Lesnar in Gable Steveson, who is now plying his trade in UFC as well as Real American Freestyle Wrestling in the heavyweight category. He remains undefeated in his nascent mixed martial arts career. Heyman uploaded a photograph alongside the Olympic gold medalist.
Both Steveson and Heyman have a great mutual admiration for each other, with the 26-year-old having claimed soon after winning the Olympic gold that he wanted to be a Paul Heyman Guy. Meanwhile, Heyman and Lesnar both reached out to Steveson after his triumph in Tokyo in 2021 as the Hall of Famer touted him as a future star.
Although his athletic abilities were never in doubt, his WWE run is considered a missed opportunity as he struggled to come to grips with the entertainment side of pro wrestling.
Paul Heyman shares emotional moment with Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi collided in a blockbuster Hell in a Cell Match to close out Night One of SummerSlam 2026.
After tasting defeat at the hands of The Ruler, in an unexpected moment, Brock Lesnar broke character and hugged Oba Femi. He also took the mic and gave a massive endorsement to the young star.
After this, Lesnar and Paul Heyman shared a heartfelt moment as The Best Incarnate made his way up the ramp. The two old friends embraced as Lesnar pointed out to Femi once again.
Although it was rumored that SummerSlam in Minnesota could have been Brock Lesnar’s final match, it remains to be seen what The Beast decides to do next after his loss at SummerSlam 2026.
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Edited by Sayantan Niyogi
