Steve Maclin: My WWE Release Motivated Me Creatively

Steve Maclin reflects on how his WWE release led to him becoming reinvigorated to show that he could create a path for himself and fulfill his own creative vision for what he can bring to wrestling. 

Steve Maclin is currently on top of IMPACT Wrestling, but his journey to the top started when he was released from WWE in 2020. 

Now, in a new interview with Tru Heel Heat, Maclin looks back on how his release motivated him and how IMPACT has allowed him to tap into his creativity to create an authentic version of the presentation he chooses to share with the wrestling audience.

“It just motivated me even more. I was told the creative differences were that creative had nothing for me, so I was like ‘okay cool, I’m gonna go create something for myself to make you want me.’ Whether I was to go back or not, but now it’s IMPACT Wrestling has given me the opportunity with the team that they have on the opposite side of the camera for creative,” Steve said. “It’s just a good mold of just working together and throwing ideas and I just love that I get to be creative who I am and how I’ve envisioned myself. For anybody that is out there that is trying to create, just keep working match after match and honing in your craft. Try something new at least one thing new every match but also know like you have to work on your character.

“It can be whatever you want it to be whatever your personality if it’s dialed up or you see a character in a comic book,” Steve added. “I like to steal from comics, and I like to steal from movies. It’s where I get my ideas and it’s just invest in yourself and be all in on it and just have the balls to be able to stand your ground and know who you are. That’s pretty much all I try to do is just stay true to who I am, and anytime you see that camera on and even behind the scenes, I try not to be a kiss-ass. I try not to politic my way to get what I want. I know sometimes you have to kind of schmooze a little bit to get your way, especially throwing ideas around or pitches and you finally have to get it that way, but I just try to stay true to me and work hard.”

Steve Maclin’s journey to fulfillment culminated at IMPACT Rebellion 2023 when he defeated KUSHIDA to become the new IMPACT World Champion. 

Fans can get caught up with the full results from that event at this link. Also, check out our review podcast on YouTube