TNA confirms signings of Mike Santana and Steve Maclin as feud builds

Mike Santana made a surprise return to TNA at the Rebellion PPV on Saturday night (Apr. 20, 2024). The segment saw him rumble in victory over Steve Maclin as both were supposedly inking contracts with TNA. That wasn’t just a storyline. TNA officially confirmed new deals for Santana and Maclin.

Santana continued his winning ways Thursday night on Impact (Apr. 25, 2024), and it appears that his business with Maclin is far from over.

Santana triumphed over Myron Reed of the Rascalz despite Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz causing distractions. Santana hit a rolling cutter to Reed on stage, then he landed a cannonball onto the other dimwits. Santana clobbered Reed with a discus lariat to win.

Afterward, Maclin stomped on stage for payback at Santana. Mr. Mayhem requested assistance from the Rascalz. Santana was surrounded by all four sides, then the Rascalz bailed to leave Maclin hanging. That decision goes back to a previous chapter of Maclin not coming through to help them. Santana had his sights set on a discus lariat, but Maclin dropped low to escape from the ring.

As is often the case in the Impact Zone, different storylines converge. Josh Alexander decided it’s time to chase the TNA World Championship again, but Frankie Kazarian proclaimed himself to be next in line. They wrestled in an impromptu match. When Kaz tried to cheat with a steel chain, Eric Young ran in to snatch the foreign object. Kaz flopped as if Young struck him. The referee was fooled and ejected Young. As Kaz waved goodbye, Alexander grabbed his foot for an ankle lock submission to win.

That brings us to a backstage scene between Maclin and Kazarian. Maclin proposed a partnership to deal with each other’s enemies. Kaz didn’t trust Maclin, but he was persuaded to consider the arrangement.

Wrapping this back to Santana, it would seem his future opponents will be Maclin once again and possibly Kazarian too. Alexander and Young might even orbit into Santana’s business as well, and there lies the interesting part. Santana returned to TNA to take the top spot. Alexander is often considered the top dog, so competitive tensions could erupt between the two down the line.

Share your reaction to TNA officially signing Santana and Maclin. Are you intrigued by the story direction for them?