WWE or AEW: Plotting which big company is best for Motor City Machine Guns

Tag team wrestling is a big part of professional wrestling and sports entertainment. Some of the best matches throughout history were put together by four performers in the ring, and several of the top stars got their start as a unit. One of the best groups of this generation is the pairing of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley, better known as the Motor City Machine Guns. With news of their contracts coming up on April 1, there are open debates about where they should go. Looking at the landscape of the industry, both AEW and WWE should make a big push to sign contracts.

Fightful Select confirmed PWInsider’s report that MCMG experienced a “sendoff” at the end of TNA Tapings over the weekend. According to the report, their deals are expected to expire on April 1. The report also stated that they are expected to have multiple suitors and aren’t heading back to TNA even though that door has been “kept open.”

Let’s talk about what MCMG achieved as a duo. Shelley and Sabin have a combined 10 title reigns on their resume. They’ve held belts in TNA, ROH, NWA, NJPW, and GCW, among others. Cagematch is a great resource to find some of their highest-rated matches, and the pairing has classics against teams that include Bryan Danielson, Roderick Strong, Seth Rollins (Tyler Black), The Young Bucks, Christopher Daniels, and more of a “Who’s Who” in professional wrestling. Shelley and Sabin deserve just as much consideration as anyone else mentioned to be considered two of the best performers in the industry.

But what does their future look like? Shelley is 40 years old and Sabin is 42. Their best years are behind them. Can they keep up with the best teams in the business? Of course, that is without question.

It will be interesting to see if both WWE and AEW make a push to sign them to contracts. Both companies can rebuild their tag team division, as they’ve fallen off a bit due to much of the booking focus going in other directions. AEW’s division features talent like FTR, The Young Bucks, Acclaimed, Gunns, House of Black, etc. WWE boasts DIY, The Creeds, New Catch Republic, Judgment Day, Street Profits, and more. There are great matches to see in both divisions.

It would be interesting to see if Shelley and Sabin would want to continue as singles performers as well. They are coming off big singles runs, with Shelley being the TNA World Champion, and Sabin carrying the X-Division Championship for the tenth time. Could they sign with either company or break off to chase more singles gold? Where would they fit in divisions that are already crowded within both companies? That’s a big question without any clear answers. But again, the potential for dream matches on both brands is overwhelming.

Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley embody much of what makes Detroit a beloved city. Their run as the Motor City Machine Guns cemented their legacy as one of the greatest duos in wrestling. And it led to their success as singles stars as well. As they head for free agency, it will be interesting to see if they show up in All Elite Wrestling or WWE.