New IMPACT World Champion Wants Match With KENTA

A Champion vs. Champion Match could take place at IMPACT x NJPW Multiverse United 2 on August 20. 

Speaking with Fightful, IMPACT World Champion Steve Maclin revealed he wants a singles match with KENTA at the show. 

"KENTA. Give me KENTA. I've been calling out KENTA for the longest time. He's a match that I've wanted for so long. Granted, I'll take on anybody from New Japan, but KENTA is the one that I wanted at the first Multiverse, and that didn't happen, he had (Minoru) Suzuki, which is fine, that's just the way it goes and there were other plans on my end. KENTA is one of those ones where, he is someone I look to in this business and I respect and I want to put my balls on the line of going against KENTA. I want to test myself going against him," Maclin stated.

Maclin defeated KENTA's NJPW colleague KUSHIDA to win the vacant IMPACT World Championship at Rebellion on Sunday, April 16. The former WWE talent is set to defend the title at Under Siege on May 26 against PCO. 

KENTA is the reigning NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion, having won the gold from Fred Rosser at Battle in the Valley on February 18. He defended the title successfully against Minoru Suzuki at the first Multiverse United show over WrestleMania 39 weekend.