Before Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley were hoisting WWE Tag Team Championships above their heads, they were reportedly on the verge of challenging for gold on an entirely different stage. The Motor City Machine Guns’ path to WWE wasn’t as straightforward as fans might think—and AEW came dangerously close to landing one of wrestling’s most decorated tag teams.
AEW’s Championship Dreams for MCMG
According to reports from Fightful Select, Tony Khan’s promotion had ambitious plans brewing for the veteran duo. The creative team wasn’t just looking to add Sabin and Shelley to their roster—they were eyeing them for a marquee championship opportunity.
The proposed storyline would have positioned the Machine Guns directly opposite The Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Team Championships. This wasn’t just any regular television match either—AEW was reportedly planning this dream encounter for All In, their flagship pay-per-view event.
When Communication Breaks Down
Wrestling negotiations can be delicate affairs, and this situation proved no different. As summer 2024 progressed, the regular back-and-forth between AEW officials and the Machine Guns suddenly went quiet.
At some point in the summer, things went radio silent between the two sides, at which point AEW assumed MCMG were going to WWE,” the report explained.
This communication breakdown forced AEW’s hand in a significant way. With their original All In plans now in jeopardy, the company needed to pivot quickly to maintain the event’s momentum.
The Ripple Effect on All In
AEW’s contingency planning kicked into high gear once it became clear the Machine Guns weren’t coming aboard. The Young Bucks still needed credible challengers for their championship reign at the company’s biggest show of the year.
Instead of the veteran experience and technical prowess that Sabin and Shelley would have brought, The Elite members found themselves defending against FTR and The Acclaimed in a triple threat scenario. While still a quality match, it represented a completely different dynamic than the originally envisioned encounter.
WWE’s Championship Coup
The Motor City Machine Guns didn’t waste time proving their worth once they landed in WWE’s landscape. Their championship victory demonstrated exactly why both major promotions were eager to secure their services.
This quick success also highlighted what AEW missed out on—a proven championship-caliber team with decades of combined experience and an instantly recognizable brand. The Machine Guns brought legitimate credibility that could have elevated any title program.
The Business of Wrestling Negotiations
This behind-the-scenes glimpse reveals how quickly momentum can shift in professional wrestling negotiations. One moment you’re planning championship matches for your biggest event, the next you’re watching those same wrestlers capture gold for your competition.
The timing aspect cannot be understated either. AEW’s All In planning would have been well underway by summer 2024, making the communication breakdown particularly problematic for their creative team.
Looking back, both companies ultimately found success with their respective directions—but wrestling fans can’t help but wonder how different the landscape might look today if those AEW negotiations had reached the finish line. Would the Machine Guns have captured gold in Jacksonville before making their WWE run, or was their path to Sports Entertainment always predetermined?
