TNA’s Reluctance Nearly Derailed Motor City Machine Guns’ Career

One big thing

The Motor City Machine Guns, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, revealed that TNA Wrestling was initially reluctant to team them up, potentially altering the course of tag team wrestling history.

Why it matters

The MCMG have become one of the most influential tag teams in professional wrestling, shaping the modern style of tag team competition. Their recent WWE debut highlights their enduring impact on the industry.

By the numbers

• 3 TNA Tag Team Championship reigns
• Both Shelley and Sabin are former TNA World Champions
• Multiple X-Division Championship wins for both members

The backstory

• TNA hesitated for about a year before pairing Shelley and Sabin
• Jim Cornette played a crucial role in developing their tag team style
• Cornette provided them with Midnight Express DVDs as a study guide

What they’re saying

• Alex Shelley: “When we first started teaming, TNA was reluctant to put us together for about a year. Honest to God, that’s what we were told, word for word.”
• Chris Sabin, mimicking TNA’s response: “I don’t see it, bro.”

What’s next

The Motor City Machine Guns are set to face DIY on this Friday’s WWE SmackDown, with the winners becoming number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Titles.

The big question

How do you think the Motor City Machine Guns will fare in WWE’s tag team division? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.