Wrestling fans couldn’t have asked for a better sendoff. Wyatt Hendrickson, a powerhouse on the mat and a fan favorite for his grit and humility, spectacularly ended his Pan-American Championship career. Bringing home gold one last time and lighting up the crowd in Mexico City. For supporters who’ve followed his meteoric rise from college hero to national star, this wasn’t just another win. It was the final chapter in a legacy built on hustle, heart, and high drama. But his peak? It arrived earlier this year. And it left everyone shocked in its wake! Remember?
That legacy was forged back at the NCAA D1 wrestling finals held in Philly’s Wells Fargo Center, in March this year. Hendrickson shocked the wrestling world by toppling Gable Steveson in a last-second thriller. THE Gable Steveson, who was widely perceived as undefeatable. That match sealed his place in history and earned him the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy, the sport’s highest collegiate honor. Since then, the Oklahoma standout, now a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, hasn’t let up. With a U.S. Open title and a Final X spot already under his belt, Hendrickson’s gold-medal finish at 125 kg not only helped Team USA dominate the final day of the championships. It also gave fans one more reason to stand and cheer.
FloWrestling took to X highlighting, “Wyatt Hendrickson ends his Pan-Am title run with a BANG ” And fans couldn’t agree more. In what felt like the perfect mic-drop moment, Hendrickson stormed into the finals and needed just 23 seconds to flatten Canada’s Richard Deschatelets. He wasted no time, exploding off the whistle with a textbook blast double for four points, then sealing the deal with a five-point throw that ignited the crowd and ended in a pin before most fans had even settled into their seats. With two pins and a tech fall during the tournament, Hendrickson didn’t just win, he dominated.
Wyatt Hendrickson ends his Pan-Am title run with a BANG pic.twitter.com/GDSNtaYz1R
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) May 12, 2025
From the barracks to the big stage, Hendrickson has carved out a path that feels more like fiction than reality. A U23 UWW Freestyle World Champion and now a Pan-Am gold medalist, he’s become the embodiment of all-out pursuit and perseverance. His win over the Minnesota Gophers’ Gable Steveson of all people, sealed his spot in history. That legendary bout won in the final seconds still lives rent-free in the minds of wrestling fans. The greatest NCAA upsets of all time.
His undefeated 27-0 season in the heavyweight division was the stuff of legend. Now, with a Pan-Am title wrapped up in record time, Wyatt Hendrickson’s story continues to inspire. Proving to fans everywhere that greatness doesn’t happen by chance. It’s earned, fight by fight.
Fans erupt as Wyatt Hendrickson’s legend grows with every throw
Wrestling fans couldn’t contain themselves after witnessing Wyatt Hendrickson’s Pan-Am finale, and honestly, who could blame them? One viewer summed it up perfectly, “Looked like a more vicious version of the rock bottom. That could be a legit WWE finishing move.” The ferocity of Hendrickson’s performance left jaws on the floor and not just because of the 23-second pin. It was a reminder of what he’s become: not just a champion, but a phenomenon. This is the same man who dethroned Gable Steveson. An Olympic gold medalist with a 70-match win streak and made it look like it was destined. That last-second takedown to win 5-4 wasn’t just historic. It was the spark that lit the firestorm of fan devotion we’re seeing now.
The truth is, Wyatt Hendrickson didn’t just appear out of thin air. From the moment he laced up his first pair of wrestling shoes at age six, to becoming a two-time state champ and a four-time USA Wrestling All-American, he’s been quietly building this storm. But now, the storm has a name. And it’s #CaptainAmerica. One fan simply wrote, “Absolute beast! #CaptainAmerica,” while another admitted, “Maybe Wyatt beating Gable wasn’t such a big upset after all… this dude is a freak.” The nickname isn’t a gimmick. It’s earned.
With a 27-0 record this season and a Dan Hodge Trophy in hand, Hendrickson is now more than just a star in the NCAA. He’s a symbol of domination in U.S. wrestling. And he’s far from finished. “We still got a big path ahead… obviously ending up in LA 2028,” Hendrickson declared in an Oklahoma State video, cementing the next chapter of his story. For fans, every match feels like a spectacle and every reaction captures just how unreal his strength is. “That is strength not too many have,” one comment read, right before another viewer cracked, “You’re not supposed to pick up a heavyweight and rotate him in the air like your 5-year-old nephew.” And when “HOLY FUCK ITS WYATT HENDRICKSON” shows up in your feed? You know the man’s doing something right.
These aren’t just comments. They’re snapshots of the awe he’s inspiring across the wrestling world. Even David Taylor, who stepped into a high-pressure role following John Smith’s legendary 33-year coaching stint at OKSU, knows Hendrickson is a once-in-a-generation talent. The message is clear that Wyatt Hendrickson isn’t done. Not even close.
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