Is It Time for Steve Maclin to Have an X-Division Title Run?
Opinion Article: As the TNA Rebrand Moves Forward I Look at a Key Player on the Roster in Maclin
As the first event of the new Total Nonstop Action (TNA) era is in the books, I look at one of the key players in the TNA rebrand.
Steve Maclin is a former IMPACT Wrestling World Champion. He came to TNA when it is still branded as IMPACT Wrestling in June of 2021. A heel in the heavyweight division, Maclin became a force to be reckon with showing his strength as well as speed and agility. Although he squared away with fellow heavyweights such as Rhino, Tomohiro Ishii, PCO, and other he also found success taking on X-Division members including Trey Miguel, Laredo Kidd, Chris Sabin, and others. With the rebrand officially underway and Maclin returning from an injury, there is a great chance to have Maclin become the X-Division Champion. Let’s look at some reasons why it would make sense.
He Won the First Match in the New TNA
As part of the Countdown to Hard to Kill, Maclin defeated Rich Swann in singles action. Swann is a former X-Division Champion and World Champion in his own right, making this a sizable victory. In addition to the win being over a former champion, it was officially the first win in the new TNA era.
The combination of Maclin having the first win in the new TNA and it being over someone with the pedigree of Swann give Maclin an argument for a title shot. Hard to Kill ended with the TNA World Championship picture apparently headed to a feud between Moose and Nick Nemeth. The X-Division Championship on the other hand, did not have a clear angle coming out of the event for current champion Chris Sabin. Putting Maclin into a storyline/match with Sabin for the title would work without feeling like a stretch.
It Would Give Him a Solid Storyline After His Injury
Maclin lost the IMPACT World Championship to Alex Shelley in June of 2023 and lost the rematch for the title during a tour in Australia. On the same tour, Maclin suffered a torn groin and was out of action for a couple of months. He came back at the end of August at Emergence and entered a short feud with Josh Alexander. From there, Maclin had a variety of matches without a stable feud being put behind them. He ended his 2023 in a Monsters Ball match against PCO, Rhino, and Moose at Bound for Glory. The following night at a television taping he had a mixed tag match with KiLynn King against Bully Ray and Jordynne Grace. That was his final match in an IMPACT Wrestling ring before the rebrand and his win over Swann.
Having a title on Maclin gives him more consistent feud options and can help get him into his first steady storyline post injury. Of course, there are many options and ways that can go, this is just one idea that involves the X-Division and the X-Division Title.
Option-C Can be Invoked
Finally if the X-Division stint is not meant to be permeant, there is an easy way to get him back into the World Championship picture.
TNA has used Option-C many times throughout the years. It allows the holder of the X-Division Title to vacate the title in exchange for a shot at the TNA World Championship. It was most recently utilized by Josh Alexander who cashed it in to defeat Christian Cage for the IMPACT World Championship (an article with more on this topic can be found in the archive tab).
It seems the TNA World Championship is headed in the direction of Moose against Nemeth. Putting the X-Division Championship on Maclin allows the Moose/Nemeth story to play out while Maclin competes in the X-Division. If and when they want to put him back in the TNA World Title picture, cashing in Option C can be the route to get him there.
Maclin has competed against many members of the X-Division and had success doing so. He is also a former IMPACT World Champion. Having him be part of the X-Division can be a great way for him to reestablish himself post injury and be a key part of the new version of TNA.
Do you think Maclin being in the X-Division would be a good move? Sound off below!