Major updates on WWE plans for The Motor City Machine Guns; rumor killer - Reports

The WWE Universe is eagerly awaiting The Motor City Machine Guns. Amid heavy months-long rumors of WWE officially signing the tag team legends, vignettes recently began airing to seemingly hype up their arrival. Backstage sources are now revealing major updates on debut plans for MCMG, their roster situation, and a potential name change, along with a certain rumor-killer.

Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley became free agents when their deal with TNA expired at the end of March. Talks with AEW apparently never materialized, and that led to a "great offer" from WWE after a meeting to discuss potential terms. This deal was described as beneficial in the long-term for the 42-year-old Sabin and the 41-year-old Shelley, with the potential opportunity to work as a coach or producer in retirement. WWE confirmed The Guns' signing with a recent vignette, then confirmed tonight that they will debut next Friday in Greenville, SC.

Internal listings have The Motor City Machine Guns scheduled to travel to New York City later this month, according to Fightful Select. The 11-time tag team champions are booked for SmackDown at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on October 25.

The late October date is interesting after tonight's SmackDown vignette confirmed Sabin and Shelley will be arriving in some capacity next week. The promo named them as MCMG. The SmackDown on October 25 airs one week before the go-home episode to Crown Jewel.

There have been quite a few incorrect social media rumors making the rounds about the newcomers to the tag team division. Fightful reported that there was no truth to speculation on "any hiccups" causing The Lucha Brothers' WWE deal reportedly being delayed due to MCMG coming in or when they would debut. The story behind the possible WWE debuts of Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix was recently revealed.

It's now confirmed that Sabin and Shelley will at least keep their "MCMG" name, despite rumors and speculation on a new billing. The report reiterated how important it was to remember that creative plans do often change, especially once word gets out.

The Future and The Next were once considered to debut with a new look of some kind. It was previously noted how there was talk of a significant upgrade to The Guns' presentation, in part to help establish a fresh slate for their debuts.

However, it remains to be seen if visual changes are still planned, past what was seen in the SmackDown vignettes, as officials also wanted the duo to be the faces of the NXT tag team division when they debuted. Now, it seems they have obviously decided on a different direction and will be bypassing NXT for the main roster. Sabin and Shelley were said to be thrilled to work with NXT's roster.

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Potential WWE debut opponents for MCMG

The SmackDown tag team division is heating up as WWE heads into the final part of the year. Motor City Machine Guns are set to debut on next week's show.

Nick Aldis indicated on tonight's SmackDown episode that it will be Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde vs. a new team, hinting at Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. The SmackDown General Manager promised a special tag team to face Legado del Fantasma next Friday.

DIY and The Street Profits also continued feuding on SmackDown. The blue brand is currently led by The Bloodline's Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa as WWE Tag Team Champions. RAW has Judgment Day's Finn Balor and JD McDonagh as WWE World Tag Team Champions.