WWE's Seth Rollins Olympic Wrestling Champ Gable Steveson ... I'll Train You To Wrestle In WWE!!
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8:46 AM PT -- Gable says he's going to be at SummerSlam this weekend -- now, the only question is ... will we see him in the ring!?
NFL. UFC. WWE.
Those are three of the lucrative options U.S. Olympian Gable Steveson reportedly has on the table after winning a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Games.
TMZ Sports ran into Seth Rollins at LAX ... and we asked the WWE Superstar if pro wrestling would be a good career move for 21-year-old Steveson.
"I mean, we’d love to have him. He seems like an incredible athlete, and decent dude. And, you know, we've had some luck with Olympic gold medalists before, so why not?" Rollins said.
Seth is referring to Kurt Angle ... who won a gold medal in wrestling at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta before ultimately joining WWF (now WWE) in 1998 -- where he became a legend in the squared circle.
But, freestyle wrestling and pro wrestling are VERY different sports ... which is why Rollins is offering Gable some assistance.
"I do have a wrestling school, Black and Brave Wrestling Academy, so if he wants to move to Davenport, Iowa for three months, we'll get him ready."
Of course, since defeating the #1 seed in the gold medal match in Tokyo with fractions of a second remaining, 6'1", 260+ lb. Steveson says he's received interest from the NFL (Ravens, Bills), UFC, Bellator, and WWE ... to name a few.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED! 🥇@GableSteveson grabs the GOLD as time expires. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/yqMc3wbXsu
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021 @NBCOlympics
Gable hasn't ruled out signing with any of the organizations ... making it clear if they write a big enough check, he's interested in football -or- wrestling -or- fighting.
If Vince McMahon backs up the Brinks truck, Rollins -- former WWE heavyweight champ -- is more than willing to train the Olympic champ.
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Sha'Carri Richardson To Race Jamaican Olympics Winners ... After Missing Games
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Sha'Carri Richardson is getting a second shot at glory -- the U.S. track star will face-off against the Jamaican Olympics winners anew ... this after missing her shot at the games.
SCR is confirmed to be one of 9 competing in next weekend's Prefontaine Classic at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field -- where she'll run against Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson in the women's 100-meter sprint.
It's the first professional race Sha'Carri has participated in since being suspended for marijuana use before this year's Tokyo Olympics -- which resulted in her not racing at all.
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The above-mentioned Jamaican sprinters all took home the top 3 medals in the titular event that Sha'Carri would've otherwise competed in ... placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd among themselves. Sha'Carri beat 'em all out during the trials ... and, now, has the opportunity to do it again.
Of the forthcoming moment to prove she woulda kicked butt in Tokyo, her rep says ... "Sha'Carri is focused on running a good race since she last competed at the US Olympic Trials," adding ... "She will be focused on executing her race to the best of her ability regardless of who is in the race."
Sha'Carri has her work cut out for her -- Thompson-Herah actually beat her trial time of 10.64 seconds in the 100-m with an historic speed of 10.61 seconds during the actual games ... second only behind Flo-Jo.
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Kaley Cuoco German Olympian Who Struck Horse ... She's 'Classless,' 'Disgusting'
Kaley Cuoco is enraged at the trainer in the Olympics who hit her horse with her fist, calling the move "classless" and "abusive."
Kaley launched hard on Annika Schleu and Kim Raisner from Germany, who tried in vain to get Saint Boy to jump during the event. The coach, Kim Raisner, is also seen in video slapping the horse. She was disqualified for her misconduct.
Bundestrainerin Kim Raisner: "Hau mal richtig drauf. Hau richtig drauf!" Dann schlägt sie selber noch mit der Faust zu (Sekunde 23).@DOSB Das muss Konsequenzen haben.#ARD #Fünfkampf pic.twitter.com/JIBpqEGR6M
— Max Möhrike Ⓥ (@der_veganer) August 6, 2021 @der_veganer
Kaley said, "I feel it's my duty and heart to comment on this disgrace. This is not Olympic show jumping. This is a disgusting, classless, abusive representation of our sport in so many ways. this team should be ashamed of themselves." She punctuated her comments with a photo of Schleu.
Kaley, who's an accomplished rider, is married to horse trainer Karl Cook.
And, Kaley wasn't done ... "You and your team did not do your country proud or this sport. You make us look bad. Shame on you and godspeed to any animal that comes in contact with you."
And, there's more ... "Pure classless behavior right here. Disgusting on all levels. This is not our sport. This does not represent our sport, This rider and her 'trainer' are a disgrace."
Kaley ended this way ... "I'll buy that horse outright and show it the life it should have. Name your price."
That would undeniably be a good move for the horse.
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Olympic Medalist Jagger Eaton Hey, Justin Bieber ... Let's Hit The Skate Park, Bro!!!
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U.S. skateboarding bronze medalist Jagger Eaton has Bieber Fever ... 'cause the Olympic hero tells TMZ Sports he wants to personally invite Justin Bieber to a skate sesh!!
Of course, Eaton became a sensation in Tokyo last month ... becoming the first American to medal in skateboarding -- and he did it with a BROKEN ANKLE!!!
TMZ Sports caught up with JE this week to check in on his health ... and he says things are really good!!
"Feeling good. Ankle’s alright, just hanging out with the boys, shredding a little bit. Got told yesterday I don’t need surgery, so we’re all good vibes here."
Eaton says he was skating on a broken ankle for 2 whole months ... and it was "harsh."
"It wasn’t the greatest situation, but again, Advil works magic ... you kind of need to tough it out. It was a situation I didn’t want to be in, but again it’s like, it is what it is."
Given his expertise in the sport, we had to ask who the best celebrity skater is ... and Beliebers will love his answer!!
"I’ve seen Justin Bieber skate a little bit. I heard he rips. I don’t know. We got to set up a skate sesh or something."
Of course, Bieber is known to be good at a TON of sports ... and has skated with guys like Nyjah Huston in the past.
So, JB ... whatcha think??
There's more ... we had to ask how Eaton's social media DMs have been looking now that he's an Olympic superstar, what his future holds and if he'll be suiting up for the 2024 Games ... and the dude couldn't have been nicer!!
Jagger also shares what it's like to be an inspiration to the young skaters watching him shred at the highest level ... and you'll want to check it out.
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Caeleb Dressel Dog Shows Off Swimming Skills ... Paw-somely Fast!!!
Move over, Air Bud ... there's a new 4-legged athlete in town -- Olympics superstar Caeleb Dressel's incredibly talented black lab, Jane ... who might be the fastest dog on the planet!!!
Just days after returning from the Tokyo Games, the 7-time gold medalist was back in the pool working out at the University of Florida this week ... bringing Jane along for the ride.
But, it wasn't just Caeleb putting in some work -- his adorable doggo also showed off her speed ... and we're not kidding when we say this puppy is fast as lightning!!
"Someone check the time to 25, she’s built to float not for speed," Dressel said while bragging about his beloved pet.
But, we aren't the only ones freaking out about this wild highlight -- Bobby Finke, who won gold in the 800m and 1500m freestyle in Tokyo, was wowed by the clip ... saying, "Start is still better than mine."
We're gonna need some more of this kinda content over the next three years, Caeleb -- and can we get a Dog Olympics?!?!
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Simone Biles Bitten By German Shepherd ... Suffers Gnarly Finger Wound
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Simone Biles' triumphant return home from the Olympics has hit a speed bump ... she says she was just bitten by a German Shepherd, and suffered a gnarly finger wound in the attack.
Biles explained the situation on her social media page Friday ... revealing a massive gash on her right hand.
"Here's an update on my finger that the dog bit me," the 24-year-old gymnast said, adding, "German Shepherds don't play."
Details surrounding the attack are unclear ... but Biles said she was forced to go to the doctor to get a tetanus shot and to make sure everything was OK with the injury.
Biles, though, did not seem shaken up at all over the incident ... even joking, "this dog at the farm just said NOT TODAY."
Of course, Biles had been having a great time in her return to Houston from Tokyo ... she got a hero's welcome at the airport and even got to ride in a parade!
Ice up and get back to living the good life soon, Simone!
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Jake Paul Invites LeBron To Woodley Fight ... 'Pull Up, Baby!!'
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Jake Paul is rolling out the royal red carpet for his fight against Tyron Woodley ... telling TMZ Sports he wants LeBron James front and center for the big night!!
Of course, Paul is slated to duke it out with Woodley on Aug. 29 in Cleveland ... just a stone's throw from where the YouTube superstar (Westlake) and NBA champ (Akron) grew up.
Jake says it's truly a special night for the city and the state ... so he wants the biggest local names to make an appearance and cheer him on.
"I think it’s just really cool that this is sort of an Ohio affair," Paul tells us, "and, not a lot of boxing matches take place in Ohio, let alone Cleveland."
With that being said, Jake is hoping to see the ex-Cavalier come through for his event ... giving a personal invite to the King.
"LeBron, pull up baby!!!" Paul said.
"When I was 12, came and saw your games. I paid good money for some front row seats. I was yelling at you from the crowds."
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"And so, I think it’s only right that you pull up and yell, "Jake! Jake! But look, LeBron, this one’s for the city man, pull up!"
JP's also inviting Ohioans who killed it in the Tokyo Olympics -- from Zach Apple to Katie Nageotte (who he just invited on Monday) and more.
"Katie taking gold, Duke Regan boxing coming up a silver. Oshae Jones with the bronze. We got swimmers Zach Apple, Hunter Armstrong both getting gold in swimming."
"Like, the Ohioans were crushing it. So, I was like come on down to the fight and it’s perfect timing. It’s right after the Olympics. They get to chill out, and maybe grab a beer!"
Sounds like a party!!
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McKayla Maroney Simone Biles Is The Greatest Gymnast Of All-Time ... Period!!!
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Simone Biles is the greatest gymnastic ever ... and NOTHING from the 2020 Olympics changes her G.O.A.T. status, so says gold medalist McKayla Maroney.
TMZ Sports talked to Maroney at Enso Studio art gallery in Malibu ... where we asked about her former teammates' legacy after her polarizing time in Tokyo.
"Honestly, I do [consider Simone the greatest ever]. When I competed with her back in 2013, I just felt like her gymnastics were so much better than mine."
McKayla continued ... "I mean, we competed with each other in the vault, and I was kind of head-to-head with her on that, but she blows everyone out of the water on every single event."
Of course, Biles pulled out of the gymnastics team competition and several individual events this Olympics after suffering from the "twisties."
Simone ultimately won a bronze (balance beam) and silver medal (team competition) ... bringing her total medal count to 7 ... and there could be more to come.
Showed the world how it's done.@Simone_Biles x #TokyoOlympicspic.twitter.com/0mcCY0lrSZ
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 4, 2021 @TeamUSA
Maroney says she wouldn't put it past Simone to return next Olympics as a 27-year-old ... an advanced age for a top-level gymnast.
"I'm 25 and I can't see myself getting back in the gym. I did it for the little Geico commercial, but it is really tough," McKayla says.
But, we're talking about the G.O.A.T. ... so don't be surprised to see Biles kick ass in 2024.
"If Simone wants to do it, she can do anything. She's the G.O.A.T. She can do anything."
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McKayla Maroney Selling 'Not Impressed' NFT Expecting Over A Million $!!
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McKayla Maroney is selling an NFT featuring her "Not Impressed" meme -- one of the most memorable moments in Olympics history -- but it could run you 7 figures!!
Sure, it ain't cheap ... but what'd you expect from such an iconic moment?!
TMZ Sports caught up with the gold medalist at Enso Studio art gallery in Malibu ... where we asked Maroney about the release of the NFT.
"There really has been a gap in sports and capturing iconic moments like that. And to put my meme out, I'm just so excited to do that because its something that meant a lot to me and it really changed my life," Maroney says.
Of course, McKayla was photographed looking anything but impressed after winning the silver medal in the vault at the 2012 Olympics. The image went crazy viral.
The 2x Olympic medalist even met then-President Obama ... and they took a picture together doing the "not impressed" pose.
"I think it just stands for being imperfect is okay. And to be not impressed, even the President [Obama] said he is not impressed sometimes."
It wasn't just politicians ... a bunch of A-list stars like Miley Cyrus also hopped on the bandwagon.
Now, you can own the NFT.
But, you won't just get the iconic image ... Maroney says she's also throwing in a private gymnastics lesson AND a copy of her soon-to-be released book.
The auction is currently live at OpenSea ... and has a starting bid of 15 Ethereum (crypto) -- which converts to around $47k.
But, McKayla tells us she expects the NFT to bring in a whole lot more ... saying she could easily see it smashing the million dollar mark.
If you're doing the math at home ... that's about 318 Ether.
Auction ends Wednesday night ... so, fire up that coin base account and happy bidding!!
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Jake Paul Invites Katie Nageotte To Fight Gold Medalist From Cleveland!!!
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Jake Paul was so amazed by all the U.S. women in the 2020 Olympics, he's personally inviting one to his Tyron Woodley fight -- pole vaulter and fellow Ohioan Katie Nageotte!!!
Paul took a second to show love for all the U.S women who competed at the Tokyo Games on Twitter Monday ... congratulating the American ladies on their "amazing stats."
"U.S. women won 66 medals, comprising a record 58.4% of the American total ... that’s insane!!," the YouTube superstar said.
Of the 66 medals, 23 were gold ... one belonging to Nageotte.
The 30-year-old won it all in the pole vault after clearing a 4.90 meter on her second attempt ... making her the third woman in U.S. Olympics to win the gold in the event.
Nageotte also happens to be from Northeast Ohio -- just like Paul -- and he's inviting her to come watch him box in the ring against Woodley in The Land.
"Katie if you are reading this I hope you will come to my fight in Cleveland as my guest on August 29th!"
“CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!!”
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) August 5, 2021 @Reflog_18
-Katie Nageotte, GOLD MEDALIST 🥇🐐🐐 @ktnago13
pic.twitter.com/jNtWEFsXtX
Nageotte noticed the invite and retweeted the post ... so maybe we'll see her front and center rocking the gold at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
BTW -- Nageotte channeled her inner LeBron James after her big moment ... saying, "Cleveland, this is for you!!!"
Next invite to King James???
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Kerri Walsh Good Genes or Good Docs?!
Kerri Walsh is serving up major good looks!
Here is a 25-year-old version of the professional beach volleyball player showing off her winning looks while receiving a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece back in 2004 (left). Walsh has a total of three Olympic gold medal wins that were won alongside her partner, Misty May-Treanor.
And, 17 years later ... The now 42-year-old is still heavily involved in the sport. Since the retirement of her long-time playing partner, May-Treanor, Walsh has been working alongside Brooke Sweat. Walsh is also a mother-of-three and she was recently seen posting pics of her glowing good looks on her Instagram (right).
Going down in history!
The question is ...
Kerri Walsh ...
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2020 Tokyo Olympics German Coach Booted from Games ... After Punching a Horse
You punch a horse ... you're outta the Olympics.
That's what happened to a modern pentathlon coach when she put hands on Saint Boy during the jumping competition.
Annika Schleu was having big problems controlling Saint Boy ... who appeared spooked. Her German coach, Kim Raisner, was trying to help Annika, but the horse wasn't cooperating.
Bundestrainerin Kim Raisner: "Hau mal richtig drauf. Hau richtig drauf!" Dann schlägt sie selber noch mit der Faust zu (Sekunde 23).@DOSB Das muss Konsequenzen haben.#ARD #Fünfkampf pic.twitter.com/JIBpqEGR6M
— Max Möhrike Ⓥ (@der_veganer) August 6, 2021 @der_veganer
The way the competition works ... the riders only have 20 minutes with the horse before the competition ... she apparently had never ridden Saint Boy before, and the horse wasn't having it. In fact, the rider before Annika also had big problems ... Saint Boy wouldn't trot on command and even bucked.
Enter Annika, who was the leader in the competition when she entered the arena in tears, clearly knowing the ride would be super difficult.
That's when Kim allegedly punched Saint Boy ... unclear if the point was to get the horse to obey commands or if it was just frustration. Nevertheless, officials disqualified her from the Games. BTW ... Kim competed in the event at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The race did not go well for Annika ... Saint Boy meandered around the course and refused a couple of jumps.
Annika used her whip to get the horse to comply, to no avail. Saint Boy cleared 4 hurdles but the 5th was a fail, which eventually took Annika from 1st to last.
Annika left the arena in tears.
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Caeleb Dressel Unloaded Fla. Home Before Olympics Heroics ... Scored $250,000!!!
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Caeleb Dressel was winning in 2021 even before the Olympics ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the swimming superstar unloaded his quaint Florida home in June for $250K!!
Property records show Dressel listed the place in the leadup to his run in Tokyo ... and it sold just a couple weeks before he won gold 5 times over.
Unclear if Dressel ever lived in the pad ... but he appeared to land some good cash for it nonetheless.
The Gainesville-area home is unassuming -- particularly for an Olympics mega-star -- it's one story with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
It does sit on a 9,000 square foot lot and is connected to a big park through a back gate ... but seems likely Caeleb's now eyeing something a little bigger after his brilliant summer.
No word yet on the amount of cash Caeleb will rake in from his Olympics performance ... but coupling that money with the $250K from the house sale should be more than enough to get him a cozy mansion somewhere.
A perfect topper to a hell of a last few weeks if we say so ourselves.
Congrats!
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Dominique Dawes Simone Biles Will Be A Strong Advocate ... For Mental Health
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Simone Biles faced incredible pressure at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ... and by overcoming the stressful situation, she'll now be a strong advocate for mental health, according to Dominique Dawes.
Dawes -- a gymnastics icon with 4 Olympic medals -- applauds the 24-year-old for stepping back when she needed to ... telling TMZ Sports Biles was doing "what was right for her mentally as well as for her physically."
"It didn’t matter about having to prove fans wrong or prove the federation wrong or whatever it is, and you know, listen to what those around her are telling her what she should do."
Of course, Biles withdrew from competition last week after dealing with a mental block and "twisties" ... which she explained is when your mind and body don't connect while performing.
Dawes continued ... "But yet, she at 24 was mature enough to know, hey this is not a healthy environment for me to participate in right now."
Biles did recover ... and won the bronze in the balance beam finals on Tuesday -- her 7th Olympic medal (which ties for the most by a female American gymnast).
"She gave herself the time that she needed," Dominique tells us, "and then was able to get back out there and shine and that’s exactly what she did."
Dawes says mental health issues have been more openly talked about in sports over the last few years ... and Biles is now carrying the torch.
"It started with Michael Phelps and Naomi Osaka and it will continue with Simone Biles."
"I know when she comes back to the States she’s going to be a strong advocate for mental health.
We also asked the gold medalist what advice she has for Biles now that the Olympics are over and done with.
"Just enjoy and bask in this moment, and really work on her healing."
"I think she’s going to do what’s best for Simone, and she’ll find happiness, I believe, outside of the gymnastics gym."
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What's The Big Frigin' Difference?
Don't let these two almost identical images of Ryan Murphy and Caeleb Dressel have you feeling confused ... take a closer look at both of the photos above and see if you can spot any of the sneaky switches that have been made to the tricky pic!
The Olympic swimmers won gold for team USA earlier this week during the Men's 4 x 100m medley relay final ... and we have made a few changes to the original pic of them! Use your detective skills to see if you can figure out the differences between these two super similar snaps!
**HINT -- There are THREE differences in the above photographs!**
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U.S. Olympian Gable Steveson Wins Gold Medal In Wrestling ... Incredible Last Second Finish!!
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U.S. wrestling star Gable Steveson just won Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling with an AMAZING last-second (literally) score ... in one of the most improbable wins in wrestling history.
21-year-old Steveson -- wrestling in the 125 kg. (275 lb.) class -- is an absolute BEAST on the mat. He won the NCAA title this year at the University of Minnesota ... as well as the championship at the Pan American Games. Gable hasn't lost a single match in 2 years.
But, Steveson was down late in the gold medal match against 27-year-old, #1 seed Geno Petriashvili from Georgia (country) -- a wrestler who'd won the last 3 titles in the division -- trailing 8-7 with only seconds remaining.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED! 🥇@GableSteveson grabs the GOLD as time expires. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/yqMc3wbXsu
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021 @NBCOlympics
That's when Steveson -- named after U.S. wrestling legend Dan Gable -- displayed his incredible explosiveness and tenacity ... turning the corner on Petriashvili, scoring a 2-point takedown with .1 SECOND LEFT IN THE MATCH!!
(Video of the full match here)
Winning the way Gable did is so implausible ... and if you don't believe it, take a look at the reaction of Steveson's family and friends.
He did it! @GableSteveson wins GOLD with just seconds left in the match. His friends and family erupt! @kare11 pic.twitter.com/rhzYO52LSK
— Dave Schwartz (@Dave_Schwartz) August 6, 2021 @Dave_Schwartz
UFC legend (and former Olympic wrestler) Daniel Cormier couldn't believe the buzzer-beater, tweeting ... Ok wow "@GableSteveson this literally was the craziest finish to a match ever! Congrats my brother!!! Olympic champion"
Don't find the wrestling impressive? Take a look at this 275+ pound man flipping after the dub.
That GOLD medal feeling. 🥇#TokyoOlympics | @GableSteveson pic.twitter.com/rded6GWL6o
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021 @NBCOlympics
Congrats, Gable!!