Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

TNA Wrestling Re-Signs AJ Francis and Steve Maclin

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Steph Franchomme | Last updated Mar 10, 2026 6:05 PM ET

TNA Wrestling confirmed today that it has re-signed A.J. Francis, as first reported by @SkubieMageza of ESPN. He played college football at Maryland, then was signed by the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. His pro football career also included time with the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins, among others.

He has powered through TNA Wrestling for years, leaving bruised bodies and busted egos along the way. He has fallen out with former cronies KC Navarro and Rich Swann. AJ Francis is also a former TNA Digital Media Champion. Francis has made multiple appearances at the annual Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the seventh-oldest college football bowl game in the country, which began as the Tangerine Bowl in 1947.

Last week, on Thursday Night iMPACT, AJ Francis disrespected the Home Town Man. The Home Town Man attacked AJ Francis in return. The Home Town Man and AJ Francis interrupted the King’s Speech with Frankie Kazarian and Elijah, fighting on the stage. AJ Francis threw The Home Town Man into the fans with a chokeslam.

BREAKING: Following his reinstatement last week, @SteveMaclin has officially re-signed with TNA. Maclin will challenge TNA World Champion @Santana_Proud on March 27 at #TNASacrifice LIVE on TNA+ from New Orleans.

MORE: https://t.co/0PliyuITRa pic.twitter.com/nEAsNKItem

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 9, 2026

Steve Maclin

The news broke yesterday. After being reinstated by Santino Marella and Daria Rae last week on iMPACT, Steve Maclin officially re-signed with TNA Wrestling. After the high-risk Feast or Fired match over a month ago, Steve Maclin was fired, sending a ripple effect through TNA Wrestling. The fallout was immediate. Maclin turned his fury toward TNA World Champion Mike Santana, his longtime friend. He launched a brutal attack that led to Maclin being permanently removed from the building.

At TNA No Surrender, Maclin resurfaced and interfered in Santana’s match, forcing Santana to leave Leon Slater to battle one-on-two. What was once a friendship spiraled into personal conflict. The grudges between Mike Santana and Steve Maclin reached a dangerous breaking point. Maclin begged Tom Hannifan for a chance to tell his side of the story. Hannifan secured that opportunity for him last week, but the situation quickly exploded.

Maclin declared Santana the most selfish man in the building. Hearing Santana calling Maclin selfless became the final straw for him. Hannifan pressed Maclin for more answers. Instead, Maclin lashed out and punched Tom Hannifan. Steve Maclin and TNA World Champion Mike Santana will collide at TNA Sacrifice with the TNA World Champion title on the line.

ICYMI: @Santana_Proud will defend the TNA World Title against the reinstated @SteveMaclin at #TNASacrifice on March 27 LIVE on TNA+ from the Alario Center in New Orleans, LA.

Get tickets: https://t.co/e3oyMzuz1c pic.twitter.com/5eSdKvCDeK

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 10, 2026