Steve Maclin: Facing KUSHIDA At IMPACT Rebellion Is A Chance To Shine And Prove Myself

Steve Maclin looks forward to his match with KUSHIDA at IMPACT Rebellion.

Steve Maclin looks forward to his match with KUSHIDA at IMPACT Rebellion.

Since he arrived in IMPACT in 2021, Maclin has gradually climbed the ladder into world title contention. He was set to challenge Josh Alexander for the gold at IMPACT Rebellion, but Alexander was forced to relinquish the title due to a triceps tear. As a result, Maclin will instead face KUSHIDA in a match for the vacant title at the pay-per-view on April 16.

Speaking with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo were jointly interviewed. When asked to share their belief as to which one of them wouldn’t win their respective match at IMPACT Rebellion, Maclin noted that the odds are in his wife’s favor, as she has been a champion before. He stated that he has a lot to prove, and he’s excited to get his name out there more.

“I think the odds are more in her favor just because she has been a champion. I haven’t. I have a lot to prove. Especially going in against KUSHIDA. I have more to prove to myself than anything just because this is one of those moments that I finally get to shine and prove to the world who I am. I think I’ve done that for two years of stacking bodies, like I like to say, and I get to prove to New Japan, going with KUSHIDA. Not just IMPACT. I get to get my name out there more and the world to see me. That’s what I’m more excited for out of this. Especially when I do win the IMPACT World title, which I know I’m going to. Is it the opponent I wanted originally? No. I did want to beat the longest reigning IMPACT World Champion in history, but things happen in this business, and that’ll be another story down the line,” Maclin said.

Purrazzo argued that the odds are in Maclin’s favor because she’ll be competing in a triple threat match at the show, whereas he’ll be facing KUSHIDA in a singles contest. Maclin went on to preview his match with KUSHIDA by noting that his opponent is a renowned veteran, but he knows what he’ll be walking when they finally clash.

“Both technical, but then you have KUSHIDA, who is a super junior. He’s been doing this for so long, renowned around the world for who he is and the name that he has. He has the high flying background in him as well. Yes, the Hoverboard. I did tap out. Like I said last night on IMPACT, I tapped out on purpose at Sacrifice. Why be prideful into something that gives me nothing in a match when now at Rebellion, I know what’s on the line and that’s the IMPACT World title. I know what I’m into,” Maclin said.

Catch up on our coverage of the April 6 episode of IMPACT Wrestling here.

Click here to check out the card for the April 13 episode of IMPACT Wrestling.

Check out the card for IMPACT Rebellion here. Fightful will have live coverage of the show as it airs on April 16.