Chris Sabin

Chris Sabin is an American professional wrestler. As of October 2024, he is signed to WWE. He is known for having previously performed in promotions including TNA, ROH, AEW, NJPW, and across the independent circuit. He is a member of the Motor City Machine Guns tag team alongside Alex Shelley and was signed to WWE in September 2024.

Chris Sabin's Early Life

Chris Sabin was born on February 4, 1982, in Pinckney, Michigan, USA. His real name is Joshua Harter. As a youngster, he was inspired to become a wrestler watching the likes of Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan. Growing up, he worked at a subway and used the money to attend a community college as well as attending wrestling classes.

Chris Sabin Wrestling Career

Beginning and joining TNA (2000 - 2014)

Training and Debut

Chris Sabin's wrestling career began in Michigan, where he trained at the NWA Great Lakes Pro Wrestling School. After facing difficulties there, he continued his training under Scott D'Amore and "Amazing" N8 Mattson at the Can-Am Wrestling School in Windsor, Ontario. Sabin debuted in 2000 as "Chris Sabin" and quickly gained recognition in independent Michigan promotions.

Early Years in TNA and Multiple X-Division Championships

In 2003, Sabin joined TNA and quickly made a name for himself. He won the TNA X Division Championship multiple times, participating in thrilling matches like the Ultimate X matches. Sabin also represented Team TNA in the 2004 World X Cup Tournament. He feuded with Michael Shane, Matt Bentley, and Shocker, among others in the first few years of his TNA career.

Chris Sabin continued his successful tag team partnership with Sonjay Dutt in 2006. Despite reaching the finals of a number one contender's tournament, they fell short of winning the NWA World Tag Team Championships. Sabin also represented the US in the International X Division Showcase and the World X Cup Tournament, where he led Team USA to victory. In his singles career, Sabin faced off against Kevin Nash in a highly anticipated match at Slammiversary 2006 and later became the number-one contender for the TNA X Division Championship. Sabin won the X Division Championship for the third time at Bound for Glory 2006 but lost it to A.J. Styles shortly after.

Thereafter, Sabin's character took a darker turn as he transitioned into a heel role. He feuded with former allies Sonjay Dutt and Jay Lethal and faced challenges from Christopher Daniels for the X Division Championship. Sabin regained the X Division Championship at Final Resolution 2007 but lost it to Jay Lethal at Slammiversary.

Creating the Motor City Machine Guns

Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley formed the Motor City Machine Guns in 2007. They immediately began feuding with Team 3D, turning face in the process. The team achieved great success in TNA, winning the World X Cup as part of Team USA/TNA and capturing the TNA World Tag Team Championship multiple times. They lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship to Beer Money, Inc. However, they quickly regained their momentum and continued their dominance in the tag team division.

The Motor City Machine Guns faced setbacks due to injuries. Shelley suffered a collarbone injury, and Sabin underwent knee surgery, forcing the team to go inactive for a period. Despite these challenges, Sabin and Shelley's partnership remained strong.

Success as the World Champion & X Division Champion

Chris Sabin returned to Impact Wrestling in 2012 and immediately challenged Austin Aries for the X Division Championship. Despite suffering injuries, Sabin continued to compete and eventually won the X Division Championship for the fifth time. He then traded in the title for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, which he won but later lost to Bully Ray.

Sabin turned heel in 2013 and continued to compete for the X Division Championship. He won the title for a record-breaking seventh time but lost it to Austin Aries. Sabin returned to the X Division and won the title for an eighth time but lost it again to Aries. He then disappeared from TV and his departure from the promotion was confirmed in May 2014.

Ring of Honor Stints (2000s)

Throughout the 2000s, Chris Sabin had various brief stints with Ring of Honor. He made his debut for Ring of Honor in 2003 but left the company in 2004. He returned briefly in 2005 and again in 2007 with Alex Shelley, but their appearances were sporadic. They also worked for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla but never won the PWG World Tag Team Championship. Sabin and Shelley returned to ROH in 2008 but were pulled from events due to their TNA commitments. They returned to ROH in 2010 but were defeated by the ROH World Tag Team Champions The Kings of Wrestling.

Pro Wrestling Zero1 & NJPW (Late 2000s)

Besides ROH and TNA, Sabin also competed in Pro Wrestling Zero1 Max and NJPW during the first decade of his wrestling career. Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley became ZERO-1 MAX International Lightweight Tag Team Champions in 2006 but lost the titles in 2008. They won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in 2009 but lost the titles to Apollo 55 in 2009. Sabin and Shelley returned to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2010 but were defeated by No Limit and Apollo 55 in their return matches.

Return to Ring of Honor (2015 - 2019)

Chris Sabin returned to Ring of Honor in 2015 as a member of the Knights of the Rising Dawn. He later reformed the Motor City Machine Guns with Alex Shelley and joined the stable "Search and Destroy." Sabin and Shelley won the ROH World Tag Team Championship in 2017 but lost the title in 2018. Shelley's retirement in 2018 disbanded the tag team. Sabin continued to compete in Ring of Honor until he suffered a torn ACL in 2019. He left the promotion in March 2019.

NJPW Stints (2010s & 2020s)

While wrestling at TNA and ROH, Chris Sabin also made appearances in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He participated in the ROH/NJPW Global Wars '15 event in 2015. He returned to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2016 but failed to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. In 2018, Sabin competed in the Best of the Super Junior tournament and the Super Junior Tag League 2018, teaming with Kushida. In 2021, Sabin and Shelley returned to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and won the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship but lost the titles in 2022.

Return to Impact Wrestling (2019 - 2024)

Chris Sabin returned to Impact Wrestling as a producer and later as an in-ring competitor. He reformed the Motor City Machine Guns with Alex Shelley and won the Impact World Tag Team Championship twice and the X Division Championship ten times. Sabin also teamed with James Storm and faced off against Jay White. He left Impact Wrestling in 2024.

All Elite Wrestling (2022)

Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley made their All Elite Wrestling debut at All Out 2022, teaming with Jay Lethal in a six-man tag team match against Wardlow and FTR. Wardlow and FTR won the match with help from Samoa Joe.

WWE Career (2024 - Present)

At present, Chris Sabin is signed to WWE. He and Alex Shelley were signed to WWE in September 2024 and were drafted to Friday Night SmackDown.

Chris Sabin Wife

Chris Sabin got married in 2021 and shared the news with his fans on October 20, 2021. Unfortunately, the details of her wife are not known as Sabin rarely talks about his personal life.

Chris Sabin Championships