Steve Maclin talks Nic Nemeth, TNA, Deonna Purrazzo (Patreon)

Fightful Select caught up with TNA Star Steve Maclin in Las Vegas during Hard to Kill weekend. Joel Pearl and Maclin discussed numerous topics.

Maclin told us he is looking forward to Nic Nemeth. Maclin says he has known Nemeth for quite a while because of their time in the WWE. Maclin would say that Nemeth is someone he has always wanted to work with.

Steve said that Nemeth “is one of the best, the way he sells and moves. Maclin said Nemeth does steal the show, and he lives up to that name. He also believes that Nemeth wants to prove himself as Nick Nemeth, not Dolph Ziggler.

The former member of the WWE stable, “Forgotten Sons” said he went through the same thing. He wanted to move on from Steve Cutler to Steve Maclin. Maclin says that TNA is his home, and people may joke about it. Maclin told Joel that “TNA is his sandbox (home). Maclin said that’s what they called it when he served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Maclin said what TNA is bringing and where they are headed; he is ecstatic about it.

Joel would bring up that since Steve and Nemeth had a similar journey to TNA, they both went from the WWE to TNA. Joel asked if Maclin expected Nemeth to go through a learning curve. Maclin told Fightful, “He’s been doing this for twenty-plus years now, and he has been in that system. We’re out here in the wild now.”

Maclin told us his learning curve took a while because it was during the COVID era when he first got to IMPACT. There were no fans, and he regained his confidence once the fans came back.

Regarding his match at Hard to Kill, he told us he loves working with Rich Swann. Maclin says there was a reason why he and Swann were on the pre-show. They were former world champions, and their match is to get more eyes on the product.

Joel mentioned that Steve’s wife, “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzzo, recently left TNA for AEW. Maclin says Deonna will do what she always does and break people’s arms. He added that he is excited to see what she will add.

Maclin says he is going after the World title. He will face Nemeth and go from there. He would add that if you are in the wrestling business and you’re not going for the world title or any title, then what are you doing?

After seeing it, he said he wanted the new TNA Championship title. He would say, “The man makes the title, but the title doesn’t make the man.”

Maclin said, “Alex Shelley was a hell of a champion and competitor and has a lot of respect for him. He is a little sour that he lost to him because of an exposed turnbuckle.” He also mentioned that he is due a rematch.

The two would talk about his stable RED in Wrestling Revolver. Joel asked how the group came to be. Maclin said it’s similar to what you saw on ECW back in the day. They are a group of misfits. Steve added they are a group of people who have been told no and put down. Maclin explained what each member of the group brought to the table. He mentioned Ricky Shane Page, Killer Kelly, and Alex Colon.

The two spoke about Cody Deaner’s podcast, “Wrestling is Life.” Maclin likes it because the curtain can be pulled back for people.

When speaking about the backstage atmosphere in TNA, Maclin told us, “There is rarely ever any drama.” He added that it’s family-oriented, and everyone pushes each other.

You can follow Steve Maclin on @SteveMaclin on Twitter and Instagram.