Tag: Alex Shelley

Motor City Machine Guns Are All Elite, Debut On Collision

After months of speculation regarding their future, the Motor City Machine Guns have officially arrived in All Elite Wrestling.

Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley made their long-awaited AEW debut during the July 30 edition of AEW Collision in Detroit, Michigan, appearing just hours after officially becoming free agents following the expiration of their WWE non-compete clauses.

Hometown Heroes Receive Massive Reception

AEW opened the show with a memorable moment as the Detroit crowd welcomed Sabin and Shelley with a thunderous ovation.

The hometown fans showered the legendary tag team with chants of “Motor City,” creating an emotional atmosphere as the duo made their way to the ring.

Sabin addressed the crowd first, jokingly asking whether anyone truly believed they wouldn’t show up in Detroit. He and Shelley reflected on their long history representing the city throughout their careers and thanked the fans for supporting them over the last two decades.

The pair then turned their attention to their future.

Sabin spoke about their excitement to join AEW, while Shelley made the announcement official by confirming that the Motor City Machine Guns had signed with the company. Moments later, the familiar “All Elite” graphic appeared on the arena screens, confirming their status as AEW’s newest additions.

Motor City Machine Guns Make Immediate Impact

The duo didn’t wait long to get involved in the action.

Later in the evening, the Bang Bang Gang picked up a victory over the Death Riders in an eight-man tag team match. However, the celebration was cut short when The Dogs stormed the ring and launched a post-match attack.

That brought Sabin and Shelley back out to a huge reaction.

Armed with steel chairs, the newly signed AEW stars chased off The Dogs and evened the odds. With the heels retreating, the Gunns capitalized by laying out members of The Dogs with their finishing move, bringing the segment to a close.

The confrontation immediately hinted at a potential alliance between the Motor City Machine Guns and the Bang Bang Gang moving forward.

A Long-Awaited Arrival

While this marked their official signing with AEW, it wasn’t the first time Sabin and Shelley had appeared for the promotion.

The pair previously competed at AEW All Out 2022, teaming with longtime friend Jay Lethal in a trios match against FTR and Wardlow. Although they came up short in that contest, their performance left many fans hoping for a more permanent relationship with the company.

Rumors linking the Motor City Machine Guns to AEW intensified after their WWE departures earlier this year. Even before becoming free agents, many within the wrestling industry expected AEW to emerge as their eventual destination.

One Of Wrestling’s Most Decorated Tag Teams

Few tag teams arrive in AEW with résumés as impressive as the Motor City Machine Guns.

Throughout their careers, Sabin and Shelley have captured championships across multiple major promotions, including WWE, TNA Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Their influence on modern tag team wrestling has earned them recognition as one of the greatest teams of their generation.

Now, with AEW officially added to their list of destinations, the focus shifts toward championship gold.

Given their track record and the immediate reaction they received from the Detroit crowd, it may not be long before the Motor City Machine Guns find themselves in the hunt for the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

For now, though, one thing is certain: after months of rumors and anticipation, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley are officially All Elite.

Several Former WWE Stars Officially Become Free Agents Following Expiration Of Non-Compete Clauses

A significant group of former WWE talent officially entered free agency today as the 90-day non-compete clauses tied to April’s post-WrestleMania roster cuts came to an end.

More than 20 wrestlers were released by WWE following WrestleMania 42, and many of the biggest names from that group are now free to sign with or compete for any promotion they choose.

Among the newly available talents are Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Santos Escobar, Zoey Stark, Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis.

While some released stars have already returned to the independent wrestling scene, others have remained quiet about their future plans, leaving fans speculating about where they could surface next.

Nikki Storm And Joe Gacy Already Planning Their Next Moves

Several former members of the Wyatt Sicks faction have already begun laying the groundwork for life after WWE.

Nikki Cross, who has resumed using the name Nikki Storm, is scheduled to appear for both PROGRESS Wrestling and Maple Leaf Pro in the coming weeks. Storm has also expanded her role within the industry outside the ring, as she and her husband Big Damo recently became owners of both PROGRESS Wrestling and DEFY Wrestling.

Meanwhile, Joe Gacy has started teasing the next phase of his character. Last month, he released a video featuring imagery connected to the Wyatt Sicks persona he portrayed in WWE, suggesting a darker evolution of his character may be on the horizon.

The futures of Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, and Dexter Lumis remain less clear, with none of the three having publicly announced their next destinations.

Kairi Sane Begins New Chapter

Of all the WWE departures, Kairi Sane’s release generated some of the strongest reactions from fans.

The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion was actively involved in a storyline alongside IYO SKY and Asuka before her exit, leading many to question the timing of her departure. Reports later indicated that Sane had requested her release and was interested in returning to Japan.

On the first day of her free agency, Sane marked the occasion by sharing a photo of herself alongside a motorcycle on social media, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in her career.

Motor City Machine Guns Continue To Fuel Speculation

Former WWE Tag Team Champions Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley have also kept fans guessing about their future.

The Motor City Machine Guns recently released a video on their YouTube channel featuring a comedic skit that ended with the duo discovering a mystery contract from an unnamed wrestling promotion. While the company was never revealed, many fans immediately speculated that All Elite Wrestling could be the destination being teased.

Both wrestlers have extensive histories with multiple promotions, making them one of the most intriguing tag teams currently available on the market.

Questions Surround Aleister Black And Zelina Vega

Aleister Black remains one of the most notable free agents available.

Despite widespread assumptions that he could eventually return to AEW, no official plans have been announced. Reports have suggested there may be reservations within AEW regarding a potential reunion, though nothing has been confirmed publicly.

His wife, Zelina Vega, may already be preparing for her next wrestling chapter. Recently, she filed a trademark application for the name “Xelina” for wrestling-related entertainment services, leading to speculation that an in-ring return could be in the works.

Zoey Serrano Set For Return

Formerly known as Zoey Stark, Zoey Serrano has already lined up her first major post-WWE appearance.

She is scheduled to compete in the RevPro Women’s Grand Prix 2026, where she will face Zeuxis in the tournament’s opening round.

The appearance marks a significant milestone following the severe knee injury she suffered in May 2025 during a match involving Kairi Sane and Rhea Ripley. The injury sidelined her for an extended period and raised concerns about the future of her career.

Santos Escobar Takes Aim At WWE Leadership

Santos Escobar also acknowledged his newly acquired free-agent status this week.

In a social media post, the former WWE star reflected on his six-year run with the company while also directing criticism toward WWE President Nick Khan and Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

While Escobar did not reveal where he intends to wrestle next, his comments quickly generated discussion among fans as the next stage of his career begins.

Wrestling Free Agency Heats Up

With so many recognizable names now officially available, the wrestling free-agent market has become one of the industry’s biggest stories.

Some talents appear poised for immediate returns to the ring, while others are expected to take their time evaluating offers from promotions around the world. Whether the next destination is AEW, NJPW, TNA, independent wrestling, or somewhere entirely unexpected, the coming weeks could bring a wave of major signings and surprise debuts across the wrestling landscape.

Motor City Machine Guns Tease Post-WWE Future In New Video

The Motor City Machine Guns may be getting closer to revealing their next move in professional wrestling.

Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley were among the WWE talents released shortly after WrestleMania 42, and both men have remained inactive due to the standard 90-day non-compete period attached to their departures. With that restriction nearing its end, the veteran tag team has begun dropping hints about what could be next.

In a recently released video on their YouTube channel, Shelley and Sabin took a humorous approach to addressing life after WWE. The skit centered around Sabin working through the five stages of grief following the duo’s release, with Shelley acting as his guide throughout the process.

As the segment progressed toward the final stage—acceptance—Shelley revealed a box filled with wrestling contracts from a variety of promotions. The pair jokingly sorted through offers from several companies, including well-known Japanese organizations such as FMW and WAR, along with promotions connected to the CyberFight group.

The video also featured several fictional or tongue-in-cheek promotion names, leading to some comedic moments. At one point, Sabin expressed frustration that one particular unnamed company had even attempted to recruit them.

The biggest tease came at the end of the skit. After reviewing multiple contracts, the duo arrived at a final offer that was never shown on camera. Neither wrestler revealed the name of the promotion, but their reaction spoke volumes. Both appeared excited by what they saw, and Shelley declared that Sabin had finally reached the acceptance stage of grief.

The mystery has naturally fueled speculation throughout the wrestling world.

Many fans believe All Elite Wrestling is the most likely destination for the former WWE Tag Team Champions. Sabin and Shelley have previous history with AEW and were heavily linked to the company before ultimately choosing to sign with WWE in 2024.

TNA Wrestling has also emerged as a possibility given the team’s long and successful history with the promotion. Reports in recent weeks have indicated that TNA would be open to bringing the Motor City Machine Guns back into the fold if the opportunity arose.

However, according to sources close to TNA, there remains a belief that Sabin and Shelley are ultimately AEW-bound once their non-compete clauses expire.

For now, the Motor City Machine Guns are keeping fans guessing, but their latest video has only intensified speculation that a major announcement could be on the horizon.

Motor City Machine Guns To Debut On WWE SmackDown Next Week

“Coming soon” has turned into “next week,” as the Machine City Motor Guns are slated to make their first WWE appearance on the upcoming October 18 episode of “WWE SmackDown.”

Nick Aldis was the first to break the news on WWE programming, informing Legado del Fantasma leader Santos Escobar that he was bringing in “a new tag team” next week, and that the team would be facing Escobar’s stablemates, Los Garzas. Shortly following the segment, a vignette featuring the bright lights of Detroit and the purr of motor engines filled fans’ screens. The letters “M-C-M-G” even briefly flashed at the end of the package, all but confirming the identities of Aldis’ expected new tag team arrival — and likely confirming that they will at least be using the same collective name.

Notably, Fightful Select reported earlier on Friday that Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin were not slated to appear on the blue brand until the October 25 episode of “SmackDown,” though the report allowed that the debut date could be changed even as a result of the report itself. Fightful also claimed the Guns’ upcoming debut had nothing whatsoever to do with the situation surrounding The Lucha Brothers, whose WWE arrival has been delayed by AEW CEO Tony Khan invoking his contractual right to extend Rey Fenix’ deal due to injury.

Shelley and Sabin are no strangers to gold — the Motor City Machine Guns boast tag team title reigns across multiple promotions, including NJPW, Deadlock Pro Wrestling, IGWP, Ring of Honor, and most famously Impact/TNA. The Guns’ contracts with TNA expired in April 2024; by September 2024, reports of Shelley and Sabin’s deal with WWE hit the wrestling news cycle. The Guns were initially reported to be heading to “WWE NXT,” but will instead call the blue brand home.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Update On The Status Of The Motor City Machine Guns

The Motor City Machine Guns have been the subject of much discussion in recent months, as fans around the world are still wondering where they will end up. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin’s contracts with TNA expired at the beginning of April, and rumors have been rampant concerning whether they will choose to sign with WWE or AEW. Initially, it looked as if Sabin and Shelley would become ‘All Elite,’ with the two men already having a brief history with AEW, appearing at All Out 2022. However, that talk seemed to die off, and the word inside the business was that they were WWE-bound.

Now it seems there is an answer, at least according to Dave Meltzer, who claimed in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the Motor City Machine Guns are expected to start in WWE imminently. As far as the destination within WWE, Meltzer claims that, despite the fact that Sabin and Shelley are one of the most influential tag teams of their generation, they will be part of the “WWE NXT” brand when they eventually debut.

“NXT” has a lot of big events coming up in the near future, as the brand will be moving to The CW on October 1. The live debut on October 1 will take place from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, which will then be followed by a live episode in St. Louis, Missouri on October 8, which will go head-to-head with “AEW Dynamite.” Following on from the two live shows on October 1 and 8, “NXT” will be back on the road for the Halloween Havoc PLE, which will take place on October 27 at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

According to multiple reports, the current plan is to have Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin debut in a tag team match during WWE NXT’s Chicago debut on October 1st.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Motor City Machine Guns Reportedly Finalizing Deal With AEW

Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin are reportedly in the process of finalizing deals that will bring the Motor City Machine Guns to AEW, as reported by Cassidy Haynes of BodySlam.net.

According to Haynes, a contract is not expected to be completed imminently but “the decision has been made and a deal will be worked out.”

The news comes after Shelley filed to trademark the terms “Motor City Machine Guns” and “MCMG” for wrestling purposes on 3/19.

The former TNA World Tag Team Champions finished up with the company at the 3/22 and 3/23 TV tapings in Philadelphia, with their final match set to air on this week’s edition of IMPACT as they face Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards.

Source: F4WOnline via WrestleView

Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin, The Motor City Machine Guns, Reportedly Finished With TNA

Two of the most successful stars in the history of TNA Wrestling have reportedly finished up with the promotion. According to PWInsider, Saturday night’s tapings in Philadelphia marked the final TNA performances (at least for now) of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, the Motor City Machine Guns. PWI says TNA held an emotional backstage sendoff for the veteran duo whose contracts are up on April 1. This report was confirmed by Fightful Select, who add that while “the door has been kept open” for the Guns to return, they are not currently expected to remain with TNA.

Sabin and Shelley have spent the majority of their careers in TNA since debuting for the promotion in 2003 and 2004, respectively, and they’ve seen plenty of individual success, with both men having enjoyed a reign with the promotion’s world championship. However, they are much better known as a tag team — the Motor City Machine Guns are three-time TNA tag champs and have won tag team gold in Game Changer Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and Ring of Honor (prior to its acquisition by AEW CEO Tony Khan).

The Guns’ final TNA match is reportedly against Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers for the tag titles. Come April, they will be free agents and can sign with any promotion. They previously appeared in one match for AEW, teaming with Jay Lethal in a losing effort against FTR and Wardlow at All Out 2022, and Shelley has been seen on WWE television as well, competing alongside KUSHIDA on “WWE NXT” as part of the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (he also boasts an 2005 appearance on “WWE Sunday Night Heat”). WWE Hall of Famer “Road Dogg” Brian James recently suggested Sabin and Shelley would be “good WWE superstars.” on his podcast, “Oh … You Didn’t Know,”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Johnny Gargano Appears On Impact To Praise Alex Shelley (Via Video)

During last night’s episode of “Impact on AXS TV,” former NXT Champion  Johnny Gargano appeared on the show.

Gargano appeared via video, along with others, to praise Alex Shelley. Below is the clip:

In a recent report from Fightful Select, Gargano is not in talks with Impact Wrestling and his appearance in the video was more of a favor for a friend.

Gargano left WWE last December after deciding not to re-sign with the company. His last match with the promotion was at “NXT” Takeover WarGames 2021.

In June, while on Good Karma Wrestling, the former “NXT” Champion explained why he didn’t re-sign with the company.

“I had this guaranteed contract with WWE I could take for a lot of money, and I could come back and I could keep doing what I’m doing,” Gargano said. “I just knew that with the baby on the way, I didn’t want to have anyone else being in control of my time, because I’m really only getting one shot at this. Me and Candice only plan on having one kid, so I want to be there and try to experience everything I can with Quill for his first year before I do anything else.”

Gargano is set to be at this weekend’s Starrcast V event at the Nashville Fairgrounds. He has his own panel, “What’s NeXT,” where he will be revealing his future in pro wrestling.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Moose To Replace Alex Shelley In The Impact Hard To Kill Six-Man Main Event

Impact Wrestling has announced a change to the main event for Saturday’s Hard To Kill pay-per-view.

TNA World Heavyweight Champion Moose will be replacing Alex Shelley in the six-man main event.

The new main event will see Moose, Impact World Champion Rich Swann and Chris Sabin take on AEW World Champion Kenny Omega and Impact World Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers.

Impact noted that Shelley informed them late last night that he is unable to travel to Nashville for the pay-per-view due to unavoidable circumstances.

“When we got the news from Alex there was no question what we needed to do,” said Impact Co-Vice President Scott D’Amore in a press release. “Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures – I personally contacted Moose and he accepted the match immediately. I know Rich Swann in particular has his issues with Moose. but this is time to put personal issues and egos aside.

“HARD TO KILL is a huge event for IMPACT Wrestling and a historic one for professional wrestling in general. IMPACT Wrestling needs to put our best foot forward. Moose fits that bill. He is a physical specimen, a five-tool athlete, and has proven himself to be a world-class professional wrestler. Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers will have their hands even more full now when they step into the ring with IMPACT World Champion Rich Swann, IMPACT Original Chris Sabin, and the TNA World Heavyweight Champion Moose.”

The Impact Hard To Kill 2021 pay-per-view will take place this Saturday, January 16 from Skyway Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Alex Shelley To Make WWE NXT TV Debut Next Week Reuniting With Kushida In The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

Wrestling veteran Alex Shelley will make his big WWE NXT TV debut next Wednesday night as he reunites with former tag team partner Kushida for the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Time Splitters were an active team from 2012-2015 and last competed together in 2016.

Alex Shelley is most famously known for his time in TNA/Impact Wrestling as one half of the Motor City Machine Guns with Chris Sabin. He recently guest coached at the WWE Performance Center, leading many to speculate he’d team with Kushida in the tourney, but Shelley attempted to downplay this last night on Twitter.

“Everybody seems to think Kushi needs me,” he wrote. “Kushi and I, and The Bucks, and Forever Hooligans, and ReDragon, helped change [NJPW]’s jr. tag division. But really, he’s going to be awesome with any partner.”

Dusty Classic tournament matches set for next Wednesday are The Time Splitters (Kushida and Shelley) vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake). Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne vs. Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster will also take place next week, putting an end to the first round.

Tonight’s NXT episode saw the tournament kick off with Imperium’s Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner defeat Wesley Blake and Steve Cutler of The Forgotten Sons, while NXT Tag Team Champions Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish defeated NXT UK Tag Team Champions Wolfgang and Mark Coffey of Gallus to advance.

Sources: Wrestling Inc. and Pro Wrestling Sheet