Gable Steveson won his RAF Wrestling debut by technical fall against Alexander Romanov. The Olympic gold medalist dominated the match in his first professional wrestling appearance. Steveson's victory marks a successful transition to the RAF Wrestling promotion.
Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson made a successful professional wrestling debut under the RAF Wrestling banner on May 31, 2026, defeating Alexander Romanov by technical fall in his first appearance with the promotion.
Romanov, known by his nickname "KING KONG," enters this crossover contest as a seasoned combat sports veteran. The 34-year-old Moldovan heavyweight carries a 19-3-0 MMA record and stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. His combat background is built largely around grappling fundamentals, making him a credible test for any wrestler stepping into a professional setting.
Steveson, the reigning Olympic freestyle wrestling champion, brought his decorated amateur credentials into the RAF Wrestling environment for the first time. The technical fall result indicates he controlled the bout decisively, accumulating enough of a point margin to end the match early under wrestling's scoring rules.
Why it matters
- Steveson's debut result validates his transition from amateur Olympic competition to the professional wrestling circuit
- Romanov's grappling background made him a meaningful first opponent rather than a token showcase matchup
- The victory establishes Steveson within the RAF Wrestling promotion with immediate credibility heading into future bouts
