Two Released WWE Stars Sign With AEW

Published: Jul 31, 2026 by Liam | Last Updated: Jul 31, 2026 by Liam

Liam has been reporting & analyzing wrestling news for over eight years, and is currently the Managing Editor at WrestleTalk.com. Immersed in wrestling for 18 years, he has over 11,000 published articles in addition to leading and overseeing WrestleTalk.com's coverage.

Two of the recently released WWE stars have now officially signed with AEW, appearing on tonight’s July 30 episode of Collision in Detroit.

WWE had its annual post-WrestleMania releases in April, and two of the names let go were the Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin.

Back in 2024, MCMG looked likely to sign with AEW but ended up joining WWE instead, and won the WWE Tag Team Championship very soon after their arrival.

However, things petered out and they ended up being released under two years later.

Tonight, shortly after entering free agency, they arrived on AEW Collision in their hometown of Detroit.

WHAT A WAY TO KICK OFF COLLISION IN THE MOTOR CITY!

Motor City Machine Guns (@AlexShelley313 & @SuperChrisSabin) are here!

Watch #AEWCollision LIVE on TNT & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/ZYhRD01ptv

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 31, 2026

The Motor City Machine Guns did have one match in AEW back in 2022, when they teamed with Jay Lethal against The Pinnacle’s Wardlow and FTR at All Out that year.

Speaking of FTR, it looks like the AEW tag team division is set to get a boost with the now confirmed arrival of MCMG, and the expected debut of fellow released WWE stars the New Day coming soon as well – along with the return of FTR who have been out of action for a little while.

Those three teams combined could transform the tag team scene along with the already-present duos like Adam Copeland & Christian Cage and the Young Bucks.

All In London, which is where many expect New Day to make their first appearance, will see Copeland and Cage defend the AEW World Tag Team Title against the Bucks.

On MCMG signing, AEW CEO Tony Khan posted:

It’s official TONIGHT: @SuperChrisSabin @AlexShelley313 Motor City Machine Guns are ALL ELITE! Thank you all watching THURSDAY #AEWCollision live on TNT and/HBO Max tonight, RIGHT NOW!

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