Steve Maclin Crowned The First TNA International Champion

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Steph Franchomme | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 7:34 PM ET

On April 17, Steve Maclin became the inaugural TNA International Champion in the main event of TNA Unbreakable, defeating Eric Young and AJ Francis in a triple-threat match. Maclin pinned Francis to make history. He qualified for the final earlier the same night by defeating Eddie Edwards and Ace Austin.

On the April 3 episode of TNA iMPACT!, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella stripped Steph De Lander of the TNA Digital Media Championship, retiring it while replacing it with the TNA International Championship. The inaugural champion will be crowned via a tournament at TNA Unbreakable.

Once forgotten and now always remembered as the first ever @ThisIsTNA INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION. #MACLIN @ThisIsTNA #Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/iQYp8qGoGH

— Steve Maclin (@SteveMaclin) April 18, 2025

After Unbreakable went off air, Eric Young staked his claim to the title, and Maclin explained what this monumental victory meant to him. We now know that Steve Maclin will make his first TNA International Championship defense at Rebellion on April 27, as he is challenged by the man he didn’t pin in the final – Eric Young.

Steve Maclin has been harassed for weeks by Eric Young, who wants him to join The Northern Armory. Maclin refused multiple times, but Young is more than decided to bring him in.

Maclin made his TNA debut in 2021. On April 16, 2023, at TNA Rebellion, Maclin defeated Kushida to win the vacant Impact World Championship, as Josh Alexander had to relinquish it. The TNA International Championship is only the second TNA title he has won since his debut with the company.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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