Steve Maclin Reveals When & Why He Asked For His TNA Release

Steve Maclin recently explained why he asked for his release from TNA and the timeline for how it all went down. The former TNA World Champion exited the company early last month after he asked for his release and it was granted, ending a five-year run with the company.

Maclin spoke about his release on his Boots To Boots Podcast with Deonna Purrazzo and noted that he had been wanting to exit for a while. He noted that he had issues with the company cutting some of his dates, which impacted their pocketbook. He added that he was happy with how he went out and was gracious to TNA president Carlos Silva. You can see the highlights below:

On Asking For His Release:

“I did.. It was [granted]. I asked for it a week prior, before our show. And it was something I had been wanting for a while, and you know that. But it was just trying to keep calm about it, be professional about it, and try and make things work creatively to see if things could happen. And just — it wasn’t happening, and once you hit my pocket and our family, that’s -— when you’re cutting dates on pay, that’s where it hurts.

“And it’s just like, I can’t do that when other people are getting paid to go work elsewhere while still getting paid by the company — whether it’s full payment or not. They were still doing it while I’m making this company a priority, that’s a problem for me… For me, as somebody who was on a per date contract and not on salary, it was a very tough — it was hard pill to swallow. Here I am committing to you and giving every bit of me, going out there and just delivering the best that I can. And I felt we did that in the end with me and Mike.”

On Being Happy With How It Worked Out:

“And what a way to go out though to for me on my last match is, to be against Mike. And I was his first match back a couple years ago at Rebellion… it’s better than anything that would’ve ended up happening at [Slammiversary], if I did stay and finish up through Slammiversary.

“But Carlos (Silva) was nice enough to graciously grant me my release when I asked for it. [He] tried to make some changes, but I was just like, ‘No, there’s no going back now.’ It’s like, I’ve made this decision, and you know how I am. I’m very — once I put my foot down and close the door to something, it’s gone. Like it’s — we’re done. We’re moving on to the next thing.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Boots to Boots with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.