Steve Maclin Wins Impact World Championship At Rebellion 2023

Heading into Rebellion 2023 we knew IMPACT would be crowning a new World Champion, and after a gruelling semi-main event Steve Maclin has left Toronto as the new IMPACT World Champion.

Rebellion was originally set to feature Josh Alexander vs. Maclin for the title, but after Alexander was put on the injured list the title was vacated, and KUSHIDA was given an opportunity at the strap instead, much to Maclin's chagrin.

KUSHIDA threw everything at Maclin after establishing an early dominance in the match, and was trying in vain to get the Hoverboard Lock to try and tap out Maclin. KUSHIDA would indeed come close with the Hoverboard Lock, but when he had it sinched on a standing Maclin he was hoisted into a deadfall KIA spike DDT for the win.

Humble as ever, Maclin took the mic and demanded that IMPACT President Scott D’Amore present him the title personally, but after D’Amore threw the title at the new champ, Maclin crushed him with the belt, leading to the returning Nick Aldis to enter the ring and make the save.

This win marks Maclin first championship in IMPACT, and indeed their first major heavyweight championship win in their career. Regardless of how Maclin's championship run will turn out, you can rest assured that Josh Alexander will be coming for whomever is champ by the time he is cleared to return.