Steve Maclin didn’t just show up on AEW Dynamite, attack Adam Copeland and disappear. Ever since that segment aired, fans have been wondering if it was simply done to build their upcoming MLP match or if AEW has bigger plans for the former TNA World Champion.
Maclin isn’t giving away the ending, but he definitely sounds like someone who’s leaving the door wide open. After making his AEW debut earlier this month, he says there’s no reason fans won’t see him pop up again. Speaking with Fightful Overbooked, Maclin was asked about what’s next after his match with Copeland. While discussing his future, he made it clear that AEW is still very much on his radar.
“After this match with Cope, we’re on MLP. There’s no saying I can’t pop up at AEW anytime I want.”
The former TNA star then talked about his surprise Dynamite appearance before admitting there are still plenty of dream matches he wants to have.
“Yeah, I infiltrated the place and, uh, you know, can’t say who let me in yet. But no, it’s one of those things… there’s so many opportunities and dream matches for me out there.”
Maclin rattled off a handful of names he’d like to face in MLP, including Josh Alexander, Stu Grayson, Johnny TV, TJP and Andrade. But he made sure to mention that his list doesn’t stop there, saying AEW and ROH are both places where he still wants to prove himself.
“Whether it’s in MLP… there’s an opportunity there. Johnny TV is there. TJP is there. Andrade is there. Like, there’s so many different people in MLP, but then also in other companies like AEW and ROH where I can get out there and I can prove to everybody. “o yeah, I have a good list in my head. I don’t have photos like a psychopath planted everywhere, but I have everything kind of out of order in my head.”
Later in the interview, Maclin talked about what it was like being backstage at Dynamite. He said just being there was fun because it was another opportunity to showcase himself, but he also revealed that people backstage were asking the same question fans were.
“Yeah, it’s fun to just kind of dive into certain situations. And taking advantage of Dynamite that night was fun for me just because it’s an opportunity, and that’s all I’ve ever asked for. Anytime I get an opportunity, I try to nail it out of the park. And it was fun to kind of be behind the scenes and see some people back there that are like, ‘Oh, are you here? Like, is this happening?’ Time will tell.”
We had already reported there were preliminary talks with AEW after leaving TNA, and now he’s talking like someone who isn’t finished there yet. Whether his Dynamite appearance was a one-night cameo or the start of something bigger is still anyone’s guess, but Maclin certainly isn’t closing that door himself.
Would you like to see Steve Maclin become All Elite, or do you think he’s better off continuing to work across multiple promotions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
