One thing is holding Motor City Machine Guns back, WWE veteran says (Exclusive)
Motor City Machine Guns have made a huge impact since debuting in WWE in October. Although Dutch Mantell likes the duo, the legendary manager thinks WWE must strategically book Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin's contrasting personalities.
Sabin and Shelley have cemented their status as one of the best tag teams of their generation over the last 18 years. On October 25, the former TNA stars won the WWE Tag Team Championship from Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa in their third SmackDown match.
Mantell worked with both men while he was a TNA creative team member. On Sportskeeda Wrestling's Smack Talk with Kevin Kellam, the former WWE on-screen character claimed Sabin is not as entertaining as Shelley:
"They are a very talented tag team," Mantell said. "The only thing I think holding them back is Alex is very, very entertaining. Chris Sabin, he's not as entertaining. In the work-rate he is, but in the interview style Alex is their mouthpiece. So, I think if they stay with that, we'll see where it leads." [2:02 – 2:36]
Watch the video above to hear Mantell's take on WWE's higher-ups immediately booking Motor City Machine Guns as champions.
Dutch Mantell's experience working with Motor City Machine Guns
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin held the IMPACT World Tag Team Championship three times in TNA. They also won tag titles in NJPW and Ring of Honor.
Dutch Mantell joked that Shelley could sometimes ask too many questions backstage before Motor City Machine Guns' matches:
"Great team if you can put up with Alex Shelley. Alex Shelley, if you're the agent, he'll just wear your a** out. This and this and this and this and this. And he's a funny guy anyway, and I think he just did that to me just to mess with me. He would come up like 10 times, 'You think this is better or this is better?' It was like multiple choice." [1:32 – 1:59]
Motor City Machine Guns will defend their titles against The Street Profits on the November 15 episode of SmackDown.
What's your take on WWE's booking of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Dutch Mantell and his wife Cathy have battled life-threatening health issues in recent months. You can show your support by leaving a donation via GoFundMe.
Please credit Sportskeeda Wrestling's Smack Talk and embed the video if you use quotes from this article.