Steve Maclin Reflects on Match Against Adam Copeland, Says He Proved To Himself That He Belongs

During last weekend’s MLP Northern Rising event, former TNA Wrestling World and International Champion Steve Maclin took on AEW star Adam Copeland in a Street Fight. Although Copeland was victorious, Maclin feels he proved something to himself with the matchup, as he commented via social media.

Steve Maclin wrote, “I’m glad I have this clip to look back on, because I know exactly how I felt in this moment and I will never forget it. I felt every bit of why professional wrestling is an art form. Every piece of the puzzle. Every star aligned perfectly for this match.” He continued, “A childhood dream of @RatedRCope to wrestle inside Maple Leaf Gardens, his white whale. And a childhood dream of mine to find out if I truly had what it takes against one of my heroes. I hope I proved that to everyone watching. Because I know I proved it to myself. That I belong.”

Steve Maclin previously took his fight to Adam Copeland to AEW Dynamite, appearing on the show last month. When he was later asked about his AEW status by Fightful Overbooked, Maclin stated, “It was fun to be behind the scenes and see some people back there at AEW that were like, ‘Oh, you’re here? Is this happening?’ I’m like, ‘Time will tell.'”

Maclin is currently a free agent. He exited TNA Wrestling earlier this year.

I’m glad I have this clip to look back on, because I know exactly how I felt in this moment and I will never forget it.

I felt every bit of why professional wrestling is an art form. Every piece of the puzzle. Every star aligned perfectly for this match.

A childhood dream of… pic.twitter.com/UiKZ0eJk24

— Steve Maclin (@SteveMaclin) October 7, 2026