Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley, the Motor City Machine Guns, returned with a bang as in just their second match back with IMPACT Wrestling, the duo won the tag team titles for the first time since 2011.
Reuniting for the first time since 2018, the Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) made a shocking return to IMPACT Wrestling to answer the Rascalz open challenge at Slammiversary. Showing no signs of rust and with their chemistry looking as good as it did years ago, MCMG won the match. But their night wasn’t done. After the North (Ethan Page and Josh Alexander) defended their tag titles, establishing themselves as the longest reigning champions of any belt in TNA/IMPACT history, Sabin and Shelley issued a challenge.
The Guns are in total control so far! #IMPACTonAXSTV @SuperChrisSabin @fakekinkade pic.twitter.com/CiwoZ0FNG7
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 22, 2020
On Tuesday night, the duo received their first shot at the IMPACT tag titles since 2012 and they didn’t let the opportunity go to waste. In a match that main evented the night, and rightly so, Sabin and Shelley matched the North move for move, reminding the world why they are still one of the best tag teams in all of professional wrestling. At times, it looked like the North was set to retain but their cockiness and comfortably played to their detriment. Underestimating the Motor City Machine Guns allowed Sabin and Shelley the opportunity to take advantage and toward the end of the match, the duo found just the opening they needed as Sabin was able to pin Page as Shelley held Alexander back, as the ref counted the 1-2-3. For the first time in nine years, MCMG were IMPACT tag team champs.
Sabin, now 38, and Shelley, now 37, first debuted with IMPACT Wrestling in 2006. Initially known as the Murder City Machine Guns, Sabin and Shelley enjoyed a huge run of success with the company winning the tag titles once. Sabin is also an eight time X Division champion and one time heavyweight champion, and Shelley is a former X-Division champ as well. Outside of IMPACT, MCMG have also won tag team championships in Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, NWA and AAW.
The Motor City Machine Guns are NEW IMPACT World Tag Team Champions! #IMPACTonAXSTV @SuperChrisSabin @fakekinkade pic.twitter.com/UVezUsxuSK
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 22, 2020
As champions, the Guns now lead an IMPACT tag division that is arguably one of the best in all of wrestling. Joined by the North, the Good Brothers, the Deaners, the Rascalz and more, Motor City Machine Guns have joined a division that is sure to produce exciting matches every time out. With new champs, and tons of new match ups for Sabin and Shelley, it will be intriguing to see everything IMPACT has in store for MCMG and the rest of the tag team division.
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