Steve Maclin Reflects On IMPACT World Title Win

IMPACT Rebellion 2023 saw Steve Maclin overcome KUSHIDA to win the vacant IMPACT World Championship, after Josh Alexander vacated the title due to injury.

The win marks Maclin’s first major title in his career, and shortly after lifting the gold he spoke of his win to Sports Illustrated:

“From dirt holes in Afghanistan to winning the Impact world title, this is something I’ll hold on to. A lot of my brothers there told me I was going to be an action figure one day, that I’d become a pro wrestler. To me, it was just a dream. It taught me the importance of earning life. There are brothers that aren’t here anymore. I try to earn every day. That’s my approach in life, and it’s no different in the ring,” said Maclin.

Maclin joined IMPACT in Summer 2021 after being released from WWE NXT in February of that year. Maclin and wife Deonna Purrazzo both lifted gold at Rebellion, marking the third time in IMPACT Wrestling history when a husband/wife duo have both reigned as World Champion at the same time, following Johnny IMPACT and Taya Valkyrie, and Rich Swann and Su Yung.