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Motor City Machine Guns Are All Elite: Stunning Collision Debut!
Motor City Machine Guns Join AEW: What You Need to Know
The Big News: Detroit’s Favorite Sons Are "All Elite"
Imagine your favorite local band finally signing with a major record label—but for wrestling. That’s exactly what happened on July 30, 2026, when Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley, known together as The Motor City Machine Guns, officially joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
They made their announcement on AEW Collision in their hometown of Detroit, Michigan—and the crowd went absolutely wild.
Who Are the Motor City Machine Guns?
Think of them as the dynamic duo of tag team wrestling. For over 20 years, Sabin and Shelley have been:
- Best friends who grew up in Detroit together
- Tag team partners (that means they wrestle as a team of two against another team of two)
- Champions everywhere they’ve gone—WWE, Ring of Honor (ROH), TNA/Impact, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), and tons of independent promotions
Important Point: They’ve won tag team gold in virtually every major promotion except AEW—until now.
Why This Is a Big Deal
1. They Were "Stuck" in Wrestling Limbo
After leaving WWE, wrestlers usually have a 90-day non-compete clause. Think of it like a "cooling off period" where they legally can’t wrestle for another company. That clock just ran out for Sabin and Shelley.
2. Detroit Love Was Real
The crowd chanted "Motor City! Motor City!" for several minutes. These two have represented their city proudly for two decades—this was a homecoming.
3. It Wasn’t a Total Surprise
Rumors had been swirling for months. Even sources in TNA (another wrestling company) expected them to land in AEW. They even teased their future in a recent video.
Wait—Haven’t They Been in AEW Before?
Yes! This is a great "did you know?" moment.
Flashback to 2022: The Machine Guns teamed up with their longtime friend Jay Lethal at AEW All Out to face FTR and Wardlow. They lost that match, but it means they’re not total strangers to AEW fans.
What Happens Next? (The Fun Part)
Now that they’re officially signed, here’s what to watch for:
- Chasing AEW Tag Team Gold — They want to add AEW championships to their massive trophy case
- Fresh Matchups — Dream matches against teams like The Young Bucks, FTR (rematch!), Private Party, and more
- Detroit Energy — Expect them to bring that hometown pride every time they walk to the ring
Summary
| What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Sabin & Shelley signed with AEW | One of history’s greatest tag teams joins a major roster |
| Announced on AEW Collision in Detroit | Emotional homecoming after 20+ years repping the city |
| Non-compete clauses expired | They’re now free agents who chose AEW |
| Previously wrestled at All Out 2022 | Not their first rodeo in AEW—they know the landscape |
| Champions in WWE, ROH, TNA, NJPW | Only major missing piece: AEW Tag Team Titles |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What’s a "non-compete clause" in wrestling?
It’s a contract rule that says after a wrestler leaves a company (like WWE), they have to wait 90 days before working for a competitor. It’s like a "no poaching" buffer period.
What does "All Elite" mean?
It’s AEW’s catchphrase. When a wrestler signs, the "All Elite" graphic appears on screen—it’s their version of "Welcome to the team!"
What’s a "tag team"?
Two wrestlers who team up. Only one is legal in the ring at a time—they "tag" each other’s hand to switch. The Machine Guns are famous for their lightning-fast tags and teamwork.
Who are FTR?
Another legendary tag team (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler). They’re former AEW Tag Team Champions and had that match against the Machine Guns back in 2022. A rematch would be huge.
Where can I watch them now?
Check out AEW Collision (Saturday nights on TNT) and AEW Dynamite (Wednesday nights on TBS). That’s where they’ll be wrestling weekly!
Bottom Line: Two Detroit legends, 20+ years of dominance worldwide, now officially part of AEW. The tag team division just got a whole lot more dangerous—and a whole lot more fun.
