Steve Maclin already made it clear he asked out of TNA. The bigger story is what happened after that decision hit the locker room.
During a conversation with MuscleManMalcolm at PWE 250, Maclin talked about his TNA exit and what actually made it tough. It wasn’t just leaving the company after five years. It was having to tell people backstage that he wasn’t coming back.
Maclin said TNA gave him a real platform. He went through multiple eras in the company, became Impact World Champion, and got to prove exactly who he was after years in WWE and NXT.
“Yeah, it just I went through three different regimes there. I went through the Scott D’Amore, the Ariel, and then also now with Carlos Silva. And I was taken very well care of.”
Maclin gave credit to the Scott D’Amore era for helping build him into a top name in TNA. He said that run gave him the chance to show fans his value.
“From the Scott D’Amore I was built up nicely. I got to that world title and I proved to the world who Steve Maclin is. I knew my worth then and I got to show the world and I think people know my worth now, which is why I do want to just pop up anywhere.”
That’s where things got heavier. Maclin said the TNA locker room was what made the exit sting. He didn’t trash the company. He didn’t act bitter. He said the people backstage were the part that made walking away hard.
“But for those five years, man, like it that locker room is the number one key thing in pro wrestling. No matter where you go. I’ve never been in a bad locker room, but there’s a different vibe with TNA in that locker room. I know that’s said a lot in a lot of interviews for many many many people. But uh it’s just that family oriented like when you’re done everybody’s chilling out at the hotel, hanging out.”
Maclin then said the worst part was having those conversations with people in TNA and letting them know he was done.
“And that’s when I was leaving that was the one thing that hurt the most was kind of letting people know like, ‘Hey, just so you know, I won’t be at work anymore. I asked for my release. I was granted my release.’”
That locker room goodbye clearly hit him. Maclin admitted he felt like he let some people down, even though he believes everyone understood why he had to make the move.
“And it just it it hurt to kind of feel like I let some guys down and some of the girls, but at the same time I think everybody understood why.”
Maclin also explained that five years is a long time to stay in one company, especially with wrestling feeling wide open again. He said free agency gives him the chance to show up anywhere, but he did not shut the door on TNA forever.
“I know a lot of people were kind of shocked that I asked for my release, but five years is a long time in a company especially like we’re in the territory era again where it’s like a global territory with pro wrestling.”
Maclin said he saw where things were going and decided it was time to move on, even if a return could happen later.
“So, for me it’s just like all right, cool. I saw the writing on the wall. It’s like time for me to leave and maybe come back later on down the road.”
Maclin’s TNA run gave him a world title, a stronger name, and a locker room he clearly respected. Now he is out on his own, and the interesting part is not just where he lands next. It’s that leaving TNA clearly came with some real weight behind it.
Where do you want to see Steve Maclin show up next after leaving TNA? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.
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