When the Motor City Machine Guns debuted in WWE, fans were ecstatic. Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley have long been staples in TNA/Impact Wrestling, known for their dynamic in-ring chemistry and innovative moves. However, WWE's introduction of the duo felt rushed and lacked the storytelling depth these legends deserve. Their immediate success in capturing tag team gold left some fans asking, “Why should we care?”
Part of WWE's magic lies in building narratives that give fans an emotional connection to its performers. While Sabin and Shelley are revered within wrestling circles, their story was largely unknown to WWE's mainstream audience. A series of vignettes showcasing their journey—highlighting their TNA success and their decision to tackle WWE as their "last frontier"—could have added immense value to their debut.
Instead, the Motor City Machine Guns were thrust into the title picture with little explanation, leaving many casual fans confused. While their in-ring work speaks for itself, wrestling has always been about more than just moves. WWE missed an opportunity to connect the audience to their story, a rare misstep in the post-Vince McMahon era.
There’s still time for WWE to course-correct and give these two the spotlight they deserve. For more on the Motor City Machine Guns' WWE journey and what it means for tag team wrestling, tune in to this week's Wrestle Chat Podcast on YouTube or listen on iHeartRadio.
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