Steve Maclin: The X-Division Drew Me To TNA As A Kid Because It Was Different

Steve Maclin recalls being a big fan of TNA during his childhood.

Since making his debut for the company in 2021, Steve Maclin has been a force in IMPACT Wrestling. Maclin is often involved in high profile feuds and matches with other top stars, and earlier this year, Maclin reached the top of the company, as he won the IMPACT World Championship for the first time in his career.

While speaking to Fightful for a recent interview, Maclin went through his childhood and explained how the X-Division drew him to TNA right after WCW had closed their doors for good.

“I started training at the Monster Factory in Paulsboro, New Jersey and it was about a year and a half before I was signed. So the goal was always WWE. I grew up in the north east, that was the promotion. There was no mid-south for me growing up. I enjoyed WCW, but the cruiserweight side of it, then I’d flip to RAW and watch RAW. Then when TNA came along, it was right after WCW folded and the X-Division is what drew me to TNA just ‘cause it was different.”

Maclin went on to say compare his love of the X-Division to the return of TNA, saying that people often crave nostalgia.

“That’s, I think, what draws anyone to anything nowadays. What’s different? What’s new? What’s fresh? The old saying of what’s old is new, TNA coming back is the old, but it’s still new because people want that. They want that nostalgia. They want the TNA chant. For Scott to stand there in the middle of the ring and say, ‘We’re fucking back,’ it’s pretty cool because now I’m like, ‘I get to say it as much as I want. The boss is saying it and not getting fined, I’ll take care of it.’ But it’s just cool.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Maclin praised IMPACT Wrestling for giving him the chance to be a top guy in the company. Fans can learn more by clicking here.

Fans can see Fightful’s full interview with Steve Maclin in the video linked above.