Steve Maclin is still focused on winning the IMPACT World Championship, no matter who is standing across the ring from him.
WrestleZone spoke with Steve Maclin ahead of the IMPACT Rebellion pay-per-view, where he will face off with KUSHIDA for the vacant IMPACT World Championship. Maclin was scheduled to challenge Josh Alexander for the title, but Alexander was forced to relinquish the title due to injury.
Now, Maclin heads to Rebellion with a new opponent, but he says his goals haven’t changed.
“It’s one of those things where I’ve been telling everybody it could’ve been KUSHIDA all along as well. He and Josh were wrestling at Multiverse, you didn’t know who was going to come out of that one,” Maclin explained. “What can you do? Mission stays the same, become the IMPACT World Champion. But the opponent’s different, so I’ve been prepping for that and we got to witness it firsthand at Sacrifice with KUSHIDA.
“I know a lot of people say that I tapped out, but I did it willingly and I expressed that the other night,” Maclin stated. “I did it on purpose because why would I be a prideful idiot when nothing is on the line, when I can go into IMPACT Rebellion 100% for the world title?”
KUSHIDA boasts numerous accolades in his career, including six reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and two IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title reigns with Alex Shelley. KUSHIDA also has a Ring Of Honor Television Championship and WWE Cruiserweight Championship reign in his career, so he has no shortage of accolades in his career.
Maclin says he’s noticed KUSHIDA has shown a more aggressive side as of late, and he’s not taking him lightly. There’s plenty on the line for both men at Rebellion, but Maclin still sees this match as a way to prove himself on another level.
“I know he’s got a chip on his shoulder as well, and he has a lot to prove because he’s getting his shot at the IMPACT World title. And it’s not just a big match for me, it’s a big match for him as well. I don’t think people realize that,” Maclin explained. “It’s one of those things where there’s a lot on the line in this match for both of us.
“For me, it’s putting the world on notice too. I’ve done it for the past two years where I’ve come in — and Josh said it too — I kinda kicked down the door, but I feel like I breached down that door for the opportunities that I’ve been given,” Maclin said. “I’m taking the ball and running with it and not looking back. That’s what’s led me to the IMPACT World title of beating all the former world champions that I have, beating Chris Sabin and Jay White on the same night last year at Rebellion. That’s one of those things where I have a chip on my shoulder as well. That door is gonna be breached again when I’m walking out of Rebellion as the IMPACT World Champion. It’s a different look and people are going to realize I’m one of the best in the game.”
Maclin took some time to put over the efforts of the IMPACT locker room as a whole, adding that he’s ready to carry the flag for the company.
“A lot of people like to say we’re the underdog company, and that’s how we kind of work from top to bottom in that locker room. Everybody busts their ass. I’ve been busting my ass the last two years to try and be the top guy there. I’m getting to that point where I want to take that weight on my shoulders and show the world who I am, but also show the world that IMPACT Wrestling is getting back to where it was years ago.”
IMPACT Rebellion takes place on Sunday, April 16 and it is available for purchase on FITE.
Watch our full interview with Steve Maclin below:
