Jason Burgos
One of the greatest tag teams of this century, the Motor City Machine Guns, is now free agents. The former TNA, ROH, NJPW, and WWE tag champions were surprisingly among the over 20 releases from World Wrestling Entertainment late last week. However, they won’t be on the open market long.
With both at the end of their “wrestler primes,” Fightful reported that TNA Wrestling would welcome the duo home with open arms. However, many in the company expect them to take their talents to AEW when their 90-day non-compete clauses end.
Ahead of a rumored move to All Elite Wrestling, let’s look at five matches we need to see the legendary tag team in this summer.
The Young Bucks
The Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Young Bucks is an absolute must if they join AEW this summer. Sure, the two teams faced off over a decade ago, but they were all very different back then. While they were top teams at the time, they are now viewed as maybe the two best tag teams of the last decade and a half.
The pair of duos going at it while they are still high-level performers is something all AEW fans need.
FTR
FTR remains the No. 1 team in AEW and has never faced the MCMG. While they have different styles, FTR have proven time and again that what makes them so great is their ability to blend with all sorts of duos. As the reigning AEW champs continue to build out their legacy, targeting a win over “your favorite tag team’s favorite tag team” just makes sense.
The Hurt Syndicate
Another intriguing duo the MCMG need to battle if they head to AEW would be the Hurt Syndicate. The Guns are known for their fast-paced style and innovative tag moves. Well, the Syndicate is all about brute — punch you in the mouth — force. These four wrestling veterans, blending their differing approaches to tag wrestling, could deliver many show-stealing moments in 2026.
Cope & Cage
While they are still around, it would be fantastic to see the duo of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage — FKA Edge & Christian — take on the Motor City Machine Guns. It would be a long-time dream match made a reality. The pair of teams will go down as two of the 10 best in the history of the industry.
With Copeland closing in on retirement very soon, AEW has to make this historic clash happen.
Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland
Yes, we know, Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland rarely tagged up, and the latter has returned to being a heel this year. However, when in the ring together as foes or partners, Ospreay and Strickland make magic. If there was any way they could end up on the same side again in the next year, placing them against the MCMG has to happen.
It is a matchup few would have ever imagined that could end up being an absolute wrestling classic at some point in 2026 or 2027.
