Steve Maclin, a prominent figure in TNA Wrestling and the first-ever TNA International Champion, is gearing up for an upcoming visit to India. At 38 years old, Maclin is known for his relentless work ethic and ambition to cement his legacy at the pinnacle of professional wrestling. As part of his international journey, Maclin aims to elevate the status of the TNA International Title, drawing inspiration from the storied history of other workhorse championships.
In an exclusive discussion with ITR Wrestling, Maclin shared his excitement about participating in the GLW shows in India and defending his title on a global stage. He is currently awaiting his flights and the finalization of his visa to make the trip official.
“I’m coming this week [to India], I’m still waiting on my flights. I know my visa is still in the process of coming over there for the shows, and I’m very excited to come over for GLW and take this TNA International Championship internationally.”
— Steve Maclin, TNA International Champion
The Impact of the WWE and TNA Collaboration
Steve Maclin reflected on the significant benefits that have come from the partnership between WWE and TNA, highlighting how it has created unforgettable moments and broadened exposure for both companies. This alliance has allowed wrestlers and storylines to intertwine across promotions, which he believes has rejuvenated interest in TNA Wrestling following its recent rebrand.
“It’s given us so many moments now that we never thought would happen, with AJ [Styles] coming home at Slammiversary after 11 years. We never expected that to happen, and there he was in front of a sell-out crowd in UBS Arena, New York, in Long Island. It was a moment that I won’t forget, and it was just so cool to talk to him behind the scenes and get to talk to him for the first time in a while. To see him back in a TNA ring, which we never thought would happen, but with that partnership, that’s what has happened, and it has given us a ton of exposure. Granted, Trick Williams is our World Champion right now, but I’m not a big fan of that as well. It has given us across the board, some great moments with Jordynne Grace when she was the Knockouts Champion, and then you have Joe Hendry in the Royal Rumble, Jordynne in the Royal Rumble and then Joe Hendry at WrestleMania and the crossover with NXT, and hopefully that RAW and SmackDown crossover at some point would be awesome for TNA to get that exposure but it’s also just everybody’s getting to know what TNA Wrestling is once again from that rebrand that we had about a year ago, over a year ago. It’s really cool to be a part of, just because I went through that boom in NXT, when it was happening in 2014, and it feels the exact same way.”
— Steve Maclin, TNA International Champion
Maclin remains patient regarding opportunities to wrestle under the WWE banner but remains fully focused on defending his TNA International Title in various locations worldwide, beginning with India’s GLW events.
Top Wrestlers Maclin Aspires to Compete Against
When discussing potential opponents in both WWE and TNA, Maclin named a select group of wrestlers he is eager to share the ring with, including Drew McIntyre, Pete Dunne, and notably AJ Styles—whose legacy as a standard-bearer for TNA Wrestling he deeply respects.
“I would love to get in the ring with the Phenomenal One, the one they called the standard of TNA Wrestling, or the man they call TNA Wrestling.”
— Steve Maclin, TNA International Champion
He also expressed interest in facing emerging and established talents within TNA, such as Jason Hotch, Leon Slater—the youngest X Division Champion in TNA history—Zach Wentz, and Myron Reed, who he recently competed against at Wrestling Revolver. Maclin mentioned ongoing rivalries and potential matches, including upcoming bouts with Frankie Kazarian and a clean one-on-one encounter with Moose, which has yet to happen.
“I would love to get in the ring with someone like a Jason Hotch, Leon Slater, our youngest X Division Champion in history, Zach Wentz, Myron Reed, who I just wrestled at Wrestling Revolver, is another one I would love to have a match with. And then I would say among guys who have been there for long enough, I have beaten most of them. I have Frankie Kazarian coming up at Victory Road, and then me and Moose one-on-one, you know that hasn’t happened cleanly ever, so that would be a fun one. But then one feud I would love to have, the one match, or best of seven series, if you will, would be against Eddie Edwards.”
— Steve Maclin, TNA International Champion
Beyond these names, Maclin also noted his admiration for WWE’s Chad Gable, mentioning curiosity around rumors that Gable could be portraying the masked character El Grande Americano. Maclin expressed skepticism about this speculation, pointing to differences in height and tattoo authenticity.
Excitement Builds for The Dudleyz vs. The Hardyz Showdown at Bound For Glory
October’s Bound For Glory will feature an anticipated match between legendary tag teams, The Dudley Boyz—Bubba Ray Dudley and D Von Dudley—and The Hardyz—Matt and Jeff Hardy. While this contest might mark the final chapter in their celebrated careers, Maclin remains optimistic about future possibilities, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling.
“It’s one of those marquee matchups people have their eyes on and in so many different generations are going to have their eye on it, especially mine, I’m going to try and sneak out and catch the match live just because I was a fan of them growing up because this was my childhood but they are also now my work peers, my mentors who I get to work with and go ask questions to when I am having trouble with certain things. It’s something very cool to happen and something I am very excited for.”
— Steve Maclin, TNA International Champion
Maclin highlighted how both teams have influenced multiple generations of fans and wrestlers, reinforcing the significance of this encounter within the wrestling world.
Vision for the Future of the TNA International Title
As the inaugural holder of the TNA International Championship, Maclin envisions the title rising to great prominence in the professional wrestling world. He shared how his admiration for the Intercontinental Title during his childhood fuels his ambition to make the International Title the premier workhorse belt in TNA Wrestling.
“So growing up, I was a big fan of the Intercontinental Title. That was the title for me, that was the workhorse title, granted the world champion was the world champion, but I looked at the Intercontinental Championship matches as the match to always watch, and that is what I try to live up to and try to make this International Title as the workhorse title in TNA. I will take on any and all comers from across the globe because it is the International Title and that’s how I plan to defend it, whether I can defend it in India, where I am coming to. I have not been confirmed on whether I am defending it there, but I plan to. On my end I plan to. I will be bringing it with me to see if I can defend it. But if not, I would love to go to Japan, I would love to go to Australia, all over Europe, Mexico, just everywhere that I can get to, I would love to defend this title, because it allows me to just put TNA Wrestling on my back and show the world what TNA Wrestling is all about, especially being who I am as Bulletproof Steve Maclin.”
— Steve Maclin, TNA International Champion
He intends to showcase TNA Wrestling globally by defending the International Title in diverse locations such as Japan, Australia, Europe, and Mexico, highlighting the worldwide appeal of the championship and his role as its ambassador.
Accessing TNA Wrestling Content in India
Wrestling enthusiasts in India can catch Steve Maclin and other TNA stars by downloading the TNA-plus app, offering a platform for enjoying live events and exclusive content from the promotion’s roster.
