A teaser on the October 11th episode of WWE SmackDown has sent pro-wrestling fans and media into speculation mode. The segment featured the number “313”, “RATTA TAT TAT” graffiti”, and the initials “MCMG”, followed by the words “NEXT WEEK”. These clues strongly suggest that the tag team that is considered by many fans to be the best in the industry, the Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin), are set to make their highly anticipated debut in WWE this week on the October 18th episode of SmackDown.
“313” is the same number as the area code of Detroit, which is nicknamed “Motor City”. The “RATTA TAT TAT” graffiti is an excellent description of the repetitive, rhythmic sound of a machine gun firing. Lastly, the initials “MCMG” are the same as the initials of Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin’s tag team name.
The Motor City Machine Guns’ legacy
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin were TNA originals who did not receive the attention that they deserved over the years, with X Division Championship reigns being their biggest accomplishment. Shelley and Sabin finally discovered their TNA niche in 2007, when they were united as The Motor City Machine Guns and eventually won the TNA World Tag Team Championship.
As three-time TNA World Tag Team Champions, ROH World Tag Team Champions, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Champions, and the holders of many other championships internationally, the Motor City Machine Guns have been a dominant force in almost every notable promotion they have been in. With a combination of chemistry, innovation, technical moves, and high-flying manoeuvres, the Guns have been show stealers on more than one occasion.
The WWE connection
While the Motor City Machine Guns have never competed full-time in WWE, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin have worked with WWE in the past. In 2019, Shelley was a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center. In 2020, he teamed with Kushida for NXT live events and as a participant in that year’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament.
Although this year will be Chris Sabin’s first time wrestling in WWE, he too was a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center in 2019. When Sabin and Alex Shelley make their debut on SmackDown, it will be the first time the Motor City Machine Guns will be competing under the WWE banner.
Potential matches
There are many teams on the SmackDown brand for the Motor City Machine Guns to have matches with that would entertain fans. One of them is #DIY, Johnny Gargona and Tommaso Ciampa. Although Ciampa has not been in the ring with the Guns before, Gargano teamed with former XPW World Tag Team Champion Josh Prohibition to wrestle them at an independent event in 2007. Gargano has also wrestled Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin in singles matches.
Even though Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are members of the SmackDown roster, they have been wrestling in NXT more often since April. With the Motor City Machine Guns coming to SmackDown, now would be a good time for Gallows & Anderson to be on the blue brand full-time again. The two teams are familiar with each other due to competing in a match in 2022 while they both were in TNA. It was received well by fans, and a series of matches between the two teams would be a boost to SmackDown’s tag team division.
The Motor City Machine Guns appeared in NJPW during the time that Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa were wrestling for them regularly, but the two teams have never faced off. During Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa’s time in NJPW, they held the IWGP Tag Team Championship a record seven times, gaining them the reputation of being a great tag team. With the Guns having an exceptional reputation as well, it will be interesting to see what happens if this match takes place for the first time in their careers.
While Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin are seasoned veterans of the ring, Austin Theory and Grayson Waller are rising stars who are early in their careers. A match between the Motor City Machine Guns and A-Town Down Under would be a valuable learning experience for Theory and Waller.
Fan excitement
The teaser on SmackDown has generated excitement among fans, and having the Motor City Machine Guns on the blue brand can draw new viewers to WWE TV who enjoyed watching the Guns in the many promotions they have wrestled in over the years.
It’s safe to say that this is an exciting time for Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin as well. WWE is the highest platform where their skills can be showcased in front of a large audience, and the company’s roster has tag teams that offer the Motor City Machine Guns the opportunity to compete in matches that are dream matches for fans. WWE is a place where the Guns’ legacy can be cemented as one of the greatest tag teams of all time while they also help newer generations of performers grow and evolve.
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