It has been one week since former TNA star Steve Maclin exited the Nashville-based promotion. Looking to take care of his “Front Toward Enemy” approach elsewhere, Matt Hardy, who worked alongside him, believes there will likely be a plethora of opportunities for Maclin wherever he decides to go next.
“It will be really interesting. He’s a really talented guy. He’s very passionate. He’s hardworking. He’s universally liked,” the TNA star said on his “Extreme Life” podcast. “I’m curious. I’m excited…There is a space on the market, you recognize, underneath the AEW umbrella…Ring of Honor. I do know he has a great relationship with Scott D’Amore. Who knows…I wish him the most effective, whatever it’s.”
Wanting to maintain his release private, TNA publicly posted the departures of Maclin and Knockout star Myla Grace. Maclin confirmed the announcement to be true, while thanking the corporate for its generosity of allowing him to be a part of its roster for five years. He joined Impact/TNA just a few months after being released from the WWE in 2021. In TNA, he stacked several championships, including becoming the corporate’s inaugural and two-time International and Impact World Champion. His last televised match was on the May 21 episode of “TNA Impact,” where he got here up short against Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship. It might be the second time those two competed against each other for the title, as the primary time, the referee stopped the match for fear of a concussion on Maclin at Sacrifice this past March.
Though Hardy had mentioned he can be an amazing fit for AEW or its sister company in ROH, he also noted that Maclin would even be appreciated in “WWE NXT,” as he could provide wisdom and knowledge to those that are only starting their in-ring work there. Maclin’s real-life wife Deonna Purrazzo is currently signed with each AEW and ROH, and is the inaugural ROH Women’s Pure Champion.
Should you use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “The Extreme Lifetime of Matt Hardy” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.