Motor City Machine Guns are the first team in history to win championships in WWE, TNA, ROH and NJPW.
Motor City Machine Guns made headlines when they recently debuted for WWE, after nearly two decades wrestling for numerous other promotions. On SmackDown last night, the duo shockingly defeated The Bloodline’s Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa to win the WWE Tag Team Championships. This victory means they now hold the unique record of being the first tag team in wrestling history to have won championships in WWE, TNA, Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
In the lead up to their title victory, Motor City Machine Guns defeated A-Town Down Under and Los Garza in a tournament semi-final, as well as #DIY. Triple H was quick to congratulate the duo – Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin – on their victory, tweeting “On one hand… a long time coming. On the other hand… three matches in @WWE, and they’re already champions.”
On one hand… a long time coming.
On the other hand… three matches in @WWE, and they’re already champions.Congratulations to the Motor City Machine Guns @AlexShelley313 & @SuperChrisSabin. pic.twitter.com/pzZ7uUzkYb
— Triple H (@TripleH) October 26, 2024
Motor City Machine Guns are arguably best known for their time in TNA from 2007 to 2012, during which they picked up the TNA World Tag Team Championship 3 times. One of these reigns lasted 182 days, just two days short of the longest reign in the title’s history.
While at NJPW, Motor City Machine Guns picked up the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. This made them the second gaijin (a Japanese word for foreigners and non-Japanese citizens) team in NJPW history to win the championship, after American Dragon (AKA Bryan Danielson) and Curry Man (AKA Christopher Daniels).
The pair have had multiple stints in ROH, and in 2017, at Death Before Dishonor XV, they defeated The Young Bucks to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship.
Since winning the titles, Motor City Machine Guns have commented on their “unheard of” success in WWE.
Motor City Machine Guns Pay Homage To TNA Following SmackDown Debut
The Motor City Machine Guns paid tribute to their long-time home of TNA following their recent debut. WWE posted a video of the two emerging from Gorilla Position moments after their match, with Shelley giving a subtle nod to their long-time wrestling home.