Both champion wrestlers, both multiple-time NCAA winners, David Taylor and Spencer Lee, also happen to be Olympic medalists. These sorts of ties you expect when discussing two of the USA’s most accomplished wrestlers. But the 2025 World Wrestling Championships have thrown in a rather embarrassing connection. And what ties them is an Armenian.

For David Taylor, Day 3 in Zagreb came with the promise of a medal, courtesy of Cowboys RTC wrestler Roman Bravo-Young. But those dreams were extinguished by Arsen Harutyunyan of Armenia, as Saturday Night Lights shared the disheartening news on their X handle. “Roman Bravo-Young (Mexico) drops his 57 kg bronze medal match 7-4 to Arsen Harutyunyan (Armenia) at the 2025 World Championships”.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, the news outlet made sure to connect the Spencer Lee dots while talking about the newest Armenian bronze medalist. After all, Arsen Harutyunyan is the one “who teched Spencer Lee (USA) earlier in the tournament.” In America, the Armenian has to be public enemy number 1 right now.

More so because of how he dominated a favorite like Spencer Lee. The QF match was a 14-3 tech fall, which ended with a four-point move. And just like that, an almost sure gold was in the dust. Meanwhile, Arsen Harutyunyan added yet another World bronze to his collection, making it 4 consecutive World Championships where he has scored a medal. Talk about consistency.

On the flip side, the Spencer Lee showing was so out of the blue, which a former champion had to address.

Former world champion has his say on the Spencer Lee result

Three-time NCAA Champion, claiming the silver in the Paris Olympics, Spencer Lee obviously came into the Zagreb World Wrestling Championships with a lot of hopes riding on him. The minimum expectation was probably a bronze from the former Iowa champion. Especially as the guy himself operates at such a high mentality that being second is like losing for him.

Most would be proud of their Olympic silver, not Spencer Lee. “I don’t think there will ever be perspective where I think (silver is) good. Twenty years from now you try to name the Olympic silver medalist and I bet you can’t. It’s because no one cares.” This guy got tech falled? Even Ben Askren couldn’t believe it.

When a fan recently asked on X the 2009 World Champion’s opinion of Lee, the 2-time NCAA Champion said, “That was shocking. Can’t ever remember seeing him lose in that fashion.” And that’s exactly what needs to be analyzed. Even Roman Bravo-Young put up a formidable fight, unlike Spencer Lee.

This loss also reopens discussion about whether Lee’s relentless style leaves him vulnerable at senior international level, where seasoned opponents like Harutyunyan can capitalize on small defensive lapses. Fans are already debating whether Lee needs tactical adjustments or a shift in weight class to maximize his strengths. Integrating this broader conversation grounds the result in the evolving narrative of U.S. freestyle wrestling.

Wonder what the American himself has to say about the upset.