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AEW teams up with CMLL and NJPW for the latest installment of "Forbidden Door".

AEW is reportedly going to sign the popular Motor City Machine Guns tag team of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley after WWE fired them. The legendary tag team created a legacy in other promotions like TNA and New Japan over the past two decades. WWE signed Sabin and Shelley to debut for the company just back in September of 2024.

Fightful dropped the following report on the Motor City Machine Guns’ future after reaching out to TNA:

“Fightful Select reports, TNA sources claim that there is always a home in the company for the Motor City Machine Guns, but they expect AEW to be the eventual landing spot for them. Shelley & Sabin were released by WWE on Friday. They signed in 2024 and won the WWE Tag Team Titles in their first couple of weeks with the company. They had not wrestled on television since March 20.”

TNA was contacted due to the being the promotion that Shelley and Sabin most are synonymous with. Many believe the Motor City Machine Guns are the greatest tag team in TNA history, but it appears that they are set on making AEW their next long-term home.

Why Motor City Machine Guns Make Sense For AEW

AEW actually used Sabin and Shelley for a one-off appearance when they teamed with Jay Lethal against Wardlow and FTR in 2022. Reports indicate that AEW tried to sign the Motor City Machine Guns on the free agent market years ago, but they were outbid by WWE offering a bigger opportunity.

The timing for Sabin and Shelley to join AEW is actually more perfect now. AEW is telling a story of FTR, the Young Bucks, and the reunited Adam Copeland and Christian Cage feuding as three legendary teams. Another team with a strong legacy would only enhance their tag team division.

AEW’s tag division has been hot and cold throughout their entire history, but many believe it’s now better than ever. The Motor City Machine Guns would get a chance to face off against other great teams in dream matches and receive the opportunity to end their careers with more creative input.

Why Motor City Machine Guns Didn’t Work In WWE

WWE did push Sabin and Shelley early into their runs with a shocking WWE Tag Team Championship coming when no one expected it. Unfortunately, Triple H losing interest in the WWE tag division led to the Motor City Machine Guns getting less television.

WWE ultimately often looks to replace older established talent with younger names holding upside. Sabin and Shelley are both in their early 40s to see WWE treating them with less importance. The tag team was part of the 23 total names fired by WWE to open new roster spots.

Talents who became stars outside of WWE also have the difficulty for struggling more in the bigger company. WWE tries to change things that made them beloved in other promotions to create a disconnect. The Motor City Machine Guns didn’t fit into WWE long-term and represent the style of wrestling more synonymous with Tony Khan’s AEW.