Steve Maclin Talks TNA World Championship Chase, ‘I Flourished When I Had The Title’

Steve Maclin is aiming for another reign with the TNA World Championship in 2024.

In 2023, Maclin was able to capture his first ever major world championship, as he won the IMPACT World Title at the Rebellion pay-per-view, just weeks after Josh Alexander was forced to vacate the belt.

Although Maclin’s reign with the belt only lasted 56 days, the star was able to succuessfully defend the title against the likes of PCO and Rhino.

While speaking to Fightful for a new interview, Maclin implied that he is looking to regain the title, noting that he is only focused on going after people that are chasing championship gold in TNA.

“Obviously my next opponent—obviously when this airs—will be Nic Nemeth. That’s who I’m going after. Like I said last year, towards the end of the year, I only go after high value targets now. I’m a former World Champion. I’m only going after people after that title and if you’re in this business—and I say it all the time and legends say it all the time—if you’re not in this business and going after the World title, or any title, what are you doing? I would love to—even the reveal of the new titles, by the way—when I saw the new World title, I was like, ‘I want that.’ The man makes the title, the title doesn’t make the man is the old saying.”

Maclin went on to note that he wants to get back to a position where he has a chip on his shoulder.

“So I’ve flourished when I had the title. I wanted to put all the weight on my back and I want to get back to that position where I have the chip on my shoulder and, also, when you have the World title you should still have a chip on your shoulder. Never change the way your mentality works when you’re working towards something. Seeing what Moose is doing and seeing what him and Shelley did, Shelley was one hell of a champion, one hell of a competitor. I have a lot of respect for him. Still kind of sour towards losing to him because of an exposed turnbuckle and my groin giving out on me in Australia in my rematch. I’m still waiting on that rematch. But, yeah, it’s always a mountain to climb.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Maclin talked about Deonna Purrazzo’s current run in AEW. Fans can learn more here.

Furthermore, fans can check out more of Fightful’s interviews by visiting our YouTube channel.