Steve Maclin talks to Fightful

Joel Pearl of Fightful Overbooked’s In The Weeds caught up with his “new best friend in the whole wide world” recently in Montreal before TNA’s Slammiversary PPV, Steve Maclin.

Joel mentioned that the event was a sell-out and asked the former IMPACT World Champion what his reaction was when he found out they would have a large crowd. Maclin told Fightful that it meant they [TNA] were going in the right direction. He added that the momentum is there and mentioned that NXT's working relationship with TNA may boost the product, and people are getting more eyes on TNA.

Maclin said they are on the rise, and it's so cool right now to be a part of something like that and recalled it to the beginning of NXT. He told Joel it was during the black and gold era when he arrived at NXT and added that there was this rush. Maclin said he was getting that same vibe in TNA. 

He said that we are entering a new generation of this TNA rebirth, and they are getting more eyes on the product. Now, with the TNA+ app, more people are watching.

His upward trajectory emerged in discussion, and Maclin said, “Wrestling is not a sprint; it’s a marathon.” He added that’s the best advice he can give to anybody that gets into wrestling. He said the business is always ever-changing behind the scenes. Maclin also said you never know what will happen on the political or business sides. 

Joel mentioned that after one of Maclin’s matches, he messaged him and said he couldn’t get used to him working as a pseudo-babyface. Maclin said it’s a gray area right now, and it’s whatever someone perceives him to be. He also noted that if you see him as a babyface or you see him as a heel, so be it. Maclin said it’s his job just to go out there and do everything to the best of his ability. 

He mentioned his match with Mike Santana and that it stinks that it’s a one-off. Maclin said they worked very well and had good chemistry, whether working together or against each other.

Maclin mentioned the hug he and Santana had after their tag match against The Rascalz at Against All Odds. He said he believed it came from respect. He said regardless of whether they go one-on-one, they will fight. Maclin said they both know the goal, and that's to be the World champion. Maclin stated that to be the best, you must work and fight the best. He believes Mike is one of the best that TNA has to offer, even in the wrestling industry in general. Maclin told Fightful it was cool to feel the crowd for once, too, the energy, especially setting the tone that night.

Would he wrestle in NXT again? Maclin said if it happens, it happens. He added that that [Steve] Cutler guy that is there, they could wrestle one day. Maclin noted that if the relationship does happen, that would be great, but his focus is always on TNA. Maclin would add that if NXT happens for him to go over there, it would be awesome, but again, he said his focus is on TNA and making the TNA brand as best as possible.

When asked who some of the people he would like to face from NXT are, He mentioned AJ Styles, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre. The former Revolver Champion said, “I don't deal with NXT. I had my time with NXT; nothing against talent there, but I would go up to Raw and Smackdown just because that's where I feel my level is, and that's the level I think I can compete at as well.”

He added that things did not work out the first time with the WWE, but it’s working in TNA, and he said, “If they wanted to cross that line, I would gladly appreciate that.”

Joel asked if Maclin could envision himself coaching in the future. He said, “Maybe, I don’t know. I would have to get every bit of wrestling I want out of me gone, as a competitor, just because then you have to be able to shut that off and be a coach.” 

When asked who some of the people he has learned from the most are, Steve mentioned Frankie Kazarian, Eric Young, Josh Alexander, and producers such as Ace Steel and Lance Storm. He said those are the people he goes to with ideas. He mentioned that when he was in NXT, he liked working with WWE Referee Eddie Oregno and would run ideas by him.

Steve was asked if he would do a duet with Joe Hendry. Maclin says he doesn’t care about Spotify. He cares about what happens in the ring and added that Hendry cares more about Spotify and YouTube views. 

He told Joel that he is more interested in pro wrestling. Maclin added that it's great for him, but it's going to die down eventually. Maclin said if you believe in him, good for you. Maclin says that Hendry is believing in himself more and more and that he's getting out there and getting the reps. Steve hopes to get a one-on-one match with him in the future. He believes it would be a great program and is very happy for Hendry and his success.

Joel asked him about Deonna Purrazzo’s journey. He said it’s fun to see now that she has reestablished herself. He said how much she accomplished when she was with TNA and Impact. Maclin said, “I love seeing her work just because when my wife's driven, get the fuck out of her way. You really need to because she doesn't take no for an answer. If she wants something, she's going to go and get it.

Maclin mentioned working with Deonna behind the scenes regarding her AEW vignettes. He said her storyline with Thunder Rosa has had a little bit of stop-and-go, but he added that they're getting the momentum and that Deonna is sinking her teeth into their story.

Deonna borrowing from his move set. Maclin said it made him laugh and think back to when Shawn Michaels wrested Leif Cassidy with Bret Hart on commentary. Bret said, “He's doing my moves.” Maclin said, I'm texting [Wesley] Blake and, ‘I'm like my wife's doing my moves on Dynamite. Maclin would mention that she did it to pop him.

In closing, he was asked about his opponent at Slammiversary, A.J. Francis. Maclin said, “He's a good dude and is very much his character. He's a much larger-than-life character and turned that dial-up to 12, not 10. So he's very good at what he does.

You can follow Steve Maclin on Social Media at @SteveMaclin, on Instagram, and X.