Steve Maclin reflects on the day he was released from his WWE contract.
Steve Maclin has made a name for himself in WWE, TNA, and beyond. Maclin is a former TNA World Champion and the current TNA International Champion -- a distinction he's quite proud of, and one that he knows wouldn't have been possible without the bad days, as well.
Maclin recently sat down with Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp to discuss a number of different subjects; one of which being his release from WWE. Previously, Maclin wrestled as Steve Cutler in WWE, as one of the members of the Forgotten Sons and, later, The Knights of the Lone Wolf. Though Cutler received a modicum of success in NXT with his tag team partners Wesley Blake and Jaxson Ryker, the group never really got off its feet in WWE. Which is why Maclin was not surprised when he got the call, telling him he was being released.
"Yeah, that was the day and then I got the call later on that night, because I missed a phone call from Carrano. Then later on that night, I got the call saying, ‘Hey.’ I'm like, ‘Oh, wow,’ and then I looked at my wife and was like, ‘Yep, I’m getting fired.’ What are you gonna do about
it? Honestly, it happened for a reason and it was a blessing in disguise ‘cause it's gotten me to where I am. I'm a former TNA World Champion. I’m the first ever TNA International Champion in history with the names of Kurt Angle and AJ Styles of being the first champions in TNA company history. It all worked out in the better for it," Maclin said.
Maclin is currently scheduled to pariticpate in the Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation's T2T Tower Climb on June 1, 2025. The climb, according to the T2T website, is the "only opportunity for the public to ascend 104 stories—or 2,226 steps—from the basement to the finish line on the 102nd floor."
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was designed to tell the story of Stephen Siller.
According to the T2T website, Siller was "A NYC firefighter who was off duty during 9/11, he drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, strapped his 60lbs of gear on his back and by foot ran through the tunnel to the Twin Towers where he ultimately lost his life.
"Started by his brother Frank, T2T helps support our nations heroes and their families by paying off mortgages and/or providing mortgage-free homes for families of fallen first responders, especially those with young children.
"More recently, T2T has expanded its work and is building smart homes for injured veterans and first responders. They have begun buying properties across the country to build “Veterans Villages” where they will house homeless veterans and provide supportive services to get these heroes back on their feet. Villages are currently being built across the country in places like Atlanta, GA, Bradenton, FL, Memphis, TN, Harrisburg, PA, Detroit, MI, and Las Vegas, NV, just to name a few. "
Maclin, a former Marine, filmed a commercial back in October, professing his support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
.@SteveMaclin joins the @Tunnel2Towers Foundation in their mission to do good.
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 4, 2025
Maclin shares his 9/11 story, what led him to enlist in the Marines and how that service continues to impact his life today.
WATCH: https://t.co/MEMFZcSPsl
Maclin recently defeated Eric Young in a bloddy Dog Collar Match, where he retained the TNA International Championship.
Fans might not see a bloody affair like this in TNA anytime in the near future as excessive blood and blading is reportedly no longer permissible in TNA. Fans can hear more about Maclin's thoughts on that edict here.
Fans can find Fightful's coverage of TNA iMPACT! by clicking here. Check out the post-show podcast for a full review here.
Check out the full interview with Steve Maclin embedded above.
