10 Wrestlers Having An AMAZING 2023 (… That Nobody Is Talking About)

Steve Maclin benefitted the most from IMPACT's mass signing spree. An otherwise innocuous, directionless WWE castoff, Maclin's landing in IMPACT has routinely illuminated him as a main event-level talent in the making - in the making, no more.

Maclin realised his destiny at IMPACT's prosperous Rebellion pay-per-view when, in a rousing semi-main event meeting vs. KUSHIDA, he ascended to the role of IMPACT World Champion. The match was a test of the former Steve Cutler's shrewdness and wherewithal, holding his own against a celebrious talent and walking out as the new champion in the aftermath of a progressive match that was, in essence, the genesis of a new generation for IMPACT Wrestling in the aftermath of three years of omnipresent universal suffering; led by Steve Maclin, a true American hero using his genuine military background to propagate this sterling heel persona, was an exemplification of the current management regime in IMPACT looking forward, rather than back.

Outside of the obvious highlights, Maclin has enjoyed extensive extolment in bouts vs. Rich Swann and Heath, as well as in the Sami Callihan-fronted Wrestling REVOLVER organisation. There, he holds the REVOLVER title, which itself has brought endless glory his way to further strengthen his case. His latest defence, vs. Mike Bailey, was among the finest independent bouts your writer has viewed all year.

An adept powerhouse, seasoned on the microphone, and working practically to tear down opponents with snappy and belligerent offence, Steve Maclin is IMPACT's stand-out player of 2023 - and he's yet to peak.