Steve Maclin has a problem with you, Nic Nemeth. And now you’re gonna hear about it!
Maclin will face off with Nemeth at TNA Sacrifice on March 8. Nemeth showed up in TNA at the Hard To Kill pay-per-view, but Maclin believes it’s just a pit stop for the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Maclin spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard ahead of Sacrifice about the match, his issues with Nemeth, and getting back into the world title picture.
“Grievances. I have none lately. Life’s been pretty good. I’ve been busy which is a good thing. Obviously, we got Sacrifice coming up. If anything, my only grievance is with Nic Nemeth, who’s using TNA to gain opportunity elsewhere. That’s my one grievance, if anything.”
In a recent interview, Nemeth said that he’s open to working with Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door (if he’s still IWGP Global Champion). Nemeth was also asked about working with Bryan Danielson again, which he said he was open to doing so.
Nic Nemeth
Maclin believes Nemeth is in TNA for the right reasons — for himself. Maclin might not be the “flag-bearer” of TNA, but he isn’t going to let Nemeth get away with “skipping out” on work.
“No, I think he is here for the right reasons. But it is also his own personal gain. And I know he wants… I said it the day after Hard to Kill this past year at Snake Eyes in the Palms. I know we’ve had a very similar type of a career path, leaving said other company and then coming out into the wild. So, it’s those… One of those things where we have to make a name for ourselves and build our names. And obviously he’s doing that going across the globe. But he’s also stepping toes into TNA and then leaving right away to go elsewhere.
“I know he just [was asked about] doing something at Forbidden Door with AEW and New Japan. And then now, he’s over in New Japan and I went down to Puerto Rico and kicked the crap out of him. So it’s just one of those things where it’s like, ‘All right. Cool. I’ll play this game too.’ So, if you don’t want to actually be at work, then don’t be there. That’s kind of my motto to it. I’m not saying I’m a flag bearer for TNA, but I think I’m a household name now at TNA. Think when people think of TNA they hear Steve Maclin or think of Steve Maclin now. Which is what I’ve tried to work for and tried to pursue in my time there.”
Everything to gain
Pritchard noted that in fairness, Nemeth was just responding to a question he was asked. Maclin understood, but put things in perspective.
“Yeah, I get it. But at the same time,” Maclin pointed out, “don’t sit and say you want to do one thing and then do the opposite.”
Maclin says the ball is in his court now, and he plans on using a victory over Nemeth to propel himself back into the world title picture.
“That’s the plan at Sacrifice [to defeat Nic Nemeth and add more value and name to Steve Maclin]. So, balls in my court for this. And I have everything to gain. Even if I lose, I’m still going to be right in the end. He’s just gonna use this place and gain opportunity elsewhere. I said it from the first time we stepped in the ring together looking face to face. And I said it to his face. I didn’t say it behind his back, I didn’t just say it on some interview where I don’t have the balls to say it to face. I said it right to his face.”
Does he want to be wrong about Nemeth’s intentions, and see him stay in TNA?
“I think I am 100% right. That’s up to him though. If he wants to stay that would be great. It’s better for TNA and it’s better for the brand,” Maclin said. “But at the same time, he’s just going to be in the way of me getting back to the TNA World Title.”
TNA Sacrifice takes place on March 8 at the St. Clair College Classic Gym in Windsor, Ontario.
Watch our full interview with Steve Maclin below:
