Add as a preferred source on Google Steve Maclin could be closing in on a move to AEW, a little over a month after his run in TNA came to an end.
According to Fightful Select, there has been at least one preliminary contact between the two sides. So far, though, there’s no confirmation of a formal offer, a verbal agreement or a signed contract.
Maclin requested his release from TNA and had it officially granted on June 7, effective immediately. The departure closed out a run that began in 2021, during which he won the TNA World Championship and became a two-time TNA International Champion.
Maclin recently explained that he had been working on a per-appearance basis and decided to ask for his release after TNA started cutting back his dates. According to the wrestler, that began directly affecting his earnings while other names kept getting paid to work for other companies.
It was said there has been at least preliminary contact between Steve Maclin and AEW, but a deal cannot be confirmed at this time.
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) July 20, 2026
– @FightfulSelect pic.twitter.com/Y1lAlVARBk
His last match for the company came on the May 21 episode of TNA iMPACT!, when he lost to Mike Santana in a bout for the TNA World Championship. The match was a rematch from Sacrifice, where their first meeting had to be stopped after Maclin suffered a physical issue.
Since then, the former champion has returned to the independent scene. One day after his departure, he signed a multi-match deal with PRODUCE Wrestling, joining the promotion’s lineup while he sorts out his next long-term contract.
A move to AEW would also reunite Maclin with his wife, Deonna Purrazzo, who is on the roster and has mostly appeared on ROH programming. That connection has already been floated as a factor that could work in favor of a deal.
For now, though, the only known development is the initial contact. AEW hasn’t announced Maclin, and no agreement can be confirmed at this time.