Steve Maclin isnt pretending his WWE exit didnt sting but the TNA star says getting released ultimately pushed him to rethink everything about his career. Speaking on The Mike & JD Show, the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion explained that when WWE let him go, he treated the moment like a professional athlete being cut from a team. Instead of dwelling on it, he focused on how he could evolve and come back stronger somewhere else. Maclin said the situation forced him to look at the next step of his career with a different perspective. Maclin eventually landed in TNA Wrestling, but his arrival came during a difficult time for the industry. The company was still operating in the tail end of the pandemic era, meaning many shows were happening without fans in attendance something that made establishing a new character even tougher. He explained that performing long segments without a crowd forced him to rely on precision and storytelling rather than audience reactions. Instead of rushing into the spotlight, Maclin spent time studying the roster and the product before making his full impact on the company. That preparation quickly paid off. According to Maclin, former TNA executive Scott DAmore was surprised by how well he performed once he stepped into the ring. Maclin also revealed that one compliment from fellow TNA star Josh Alexander stuck with him more than almost anything else hes heard in his career. Maclins mindset after his WWE firing clearly shaped the next chapter of his career. Instead of fading away, he used the moment as motivation to rebuild himself and carve out a major role in TNA. Now several years into that run, Maclin believes the gamble paid off and the company became the place where he truly established who he is as a wrestler. Do you think Steve Maclins WWE release ultimately helped him reinvent his career in TNA? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know what you think. Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication. G Add as a preferred source on Google
