MCMG Joins AEW Roster
Motor City Machine Guns Officially Sign and Debut with AEW on Detroit Collision
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Key Points
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Chris Sabin referred to Detroit as "the greatest city in civilization" while addressing the hometown crowd, underscoring the personal significance of MCMG's return.
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During Collision, MCMG stepped in to aid the Bang Bang Gang after a post-match beatdown, signaling an early feud setup and potential first opponents in AEW.
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The signing followed WWE release in April 2026 after a 90-day non-compete, with months of speculation about where the duo would land next, and marked their first AEW appearance since All Out 2022.
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AEW announced the deal as full-time contracts, with Tony Khan confirming the signing on social media after their Collision segment.
The Motor City Machine Guns are All Elite. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin made their long-awaited return to AEW on a Detroit edition of Collision, signing full-time contracts with the company. Tony Khan confirmed the signing on social media shortly after the duo appeared on screen, according to PWMania.
The debut marked MCMG's first AEW appearance since All Out 2022. It came after their WWE release in April 2026 and a 90-day non-compete clause, ending months of speculation about where the veteran tag team would land next, WrestlePurists reported.
Detroit Crowd Gives MCMG a Thunderous Homecoming
AEW ran Collision from Detroit's Masonic Temple — the hometown of both Shelley and Sabin. The crowd gave them a massive reception. Sabin called Detroit "the greatest city in civilization" from the ring, according to Detroit News. Shelley and Sabin then declared AEW their new home, with the All Elite graphic appearing on screen to make it official.
The personal stakes made the moment land harder than a typical signing. Both men grew up in the Metro Detroit area. Performing in front of their home fans for a major debut added real emotional weight to the announcement, Detroit News noted.
MCMG Save Bang Bang Gang, Setting Up First Feud
The debut wasn't just a promo segment. MCMG stepped in to help the Bang Bang Gang after the group took a post-match beatdown. The move gave the duo an immediate story. It also hints at their first opponents in AEW, with a potential rivalry already taking shape, Rajah reported.
AEW appears to be fast-tracking MCMG into the tag division. With major shows like All In on the horizon, the company has a clear window to build toward a title match. The tag titles figure to be an early target for a team with their résumé.
From TNA to WWE to AEW: A Decorated Tag Team Career
MCMG built their reputation across decades and promotions. They are former TNA, New Japan, and ROH tag champions. They also had a run in WWE before their release in April 2026. Few teams in wrestling history have held gold across that many major companies, WhatCulture noted.
Their first AEW stint was brief — just a 2022 appearance at All Out. This time the deal is full-time, giving AEW a proven, experienced team with real star power. Fans and analysts are already watching to see how quickly they challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Titles.
Tony Khan Confirms Full-Time Deal on Social Media
Khan wasted no time making the signing official. He confirmed the deal on social media right after the Collision segment aired. AEW described the contracts as full-time, meaning MCMG will be a regular presence on AEW programming going forward, according to PWMania.
The signing is one of AEW's bigger roster moves of the year. It adds two credible veterans to a tag division that already features strong competition. With All In approaching, the timing gives AEW a fresh and high-profile team right when it matters most, Rajah reported.
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