Steve Maclin Reacts to Being Left Off Team TNA for WWE NXT ShowDown Event

Steve Maclin won’t be part of Team TNA at the upcoming NXT vs. TNA Wrestling: ShoWDown crossover special, and he’s not hiding how that feels.

While the TNA star is taking the decision in stride, he admitted during an appearance on The Mark Hoke Show that it made him reflect on where he stands within the company.

“I’m hoping for the best for Team TNA and everybody involved,” Maclin said. “Obviously, I’m not there. I wasn’t picked for the team, which makes me wonder what’s going on in that situation.”

Maclin, who has been one of TNA’s most vocal locker room leaders since signing with the company in 2021, shared that while the omission stung, he still believes in the bigger picture — for both himself and the company. Drawing from his military background, he used a familiar analogy to explain his mindset.

“I don’t know. I guess not all soldiers, in a way, or Marines, are going to go to fight the war at the same time,” he said. “So I guess I’ll just sit and wait for something a little bit bigger on that end. But I got my fingers crossed that Team TNA will do their thing, and we’ll see what comes out of that.”

Maclin recently lost the TNA International Championship to Frankie Kazarian, ending his run as the first-ever holder of the title. While he may be sitting out the ShoWDown special, his contributions to TNA’s recent resurgence aren’t going unnoticed — and his comments make it clear he’s keeping his eye on what’s next.

The NXT vs. TNA ShoWDown special airs live Tuesday, October 7 from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Team NXT and Team TNA will go head-to-head in an event that has already changed the game for both promotions.