WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles doesn’t believe WWE made the right call letting two of its most respected tag teams, The New Day and the Motor City Machine Guns walk out the door.
Speaking on his podcast, ‘The AJ Styles Show’ Styles addressed the recent departures of The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, as well as the Motor City Machine Guns’ Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin.
He didn’t hold back on his doubts about the decision, saying he doesn’t know if it was the smartest move for WWE to let those two tag teams go — and that he personally wouldn’t bet on it having been the right call.
I love those boys. That’s all I can tell you. I love them. I think somebody’s about to get something good. Love those guys. I cannot wait to see what happens next for those guys.
‘I Don’t Know If It Was The Smartest Decision’
The comments carry extra weight given Styles’ history with both teams. He has personal relationships with all four men, and shares a particularly deep connection with Shelley and Sabin, having worked alongside them during his time in TNA.
Man, again, I love these boys, too. It’s difficult because I want to see them do well because they work really hard. I have so much respect for these two tag teams and know what they’re capable of.”
“I don’t know if it was the smartest decision letting those two tag teams go. I don’t know. I can tell you I wouldn’t bet that it was a smart decision.
Styles Expects Them To Thrive
According to Styles, the value of wrestlers like Kingston, Woods, Shelley, and Sabin goes well beyond their in-ring highlight reels — the kind of intangibles that are harder to replace than a finishing sequence.
I am biased. I am biased. Two guys that I’ve known forever in Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, and then Austin Creed, who I have literally known for over two decades. We go way back. And Kofi is such an awesome dude.
He added:
I can’t say enough good things about these four guys. They’re amazing. I hope they kill it because I love these guys. Those are my boys. I freaking want to see them do well.”
“I can’t imagine that they are not going to make an impact, no pun intended, wherever they end up.
Styles’ comments reflect a broader uncertainty among their peers about whether letting them go was the right business decision. MCMG recently joined AEW and made their debut on AEW Collision.
