Chris Sabin: A Veteran of the Wrestling World
Joshua Harter, born on February 4, 1982, in Pinckney, Michigan, is better known in the world of professional wrestling by his ring name, Chris Sabin.1
Sabin has made a significant mark in professional wrestling, particularly in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), now known as IMPACT Wrestling, and Ring of Honor (ROH). Renowned for his technical prowess, agility, and high-flying maneuvers, Sabin has been a standout figure in the sport for over two decades.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Interest in Wrestling
Sabin’s passion for wrestling began at a young age. Growing up in Michigan, he was inspired by the high-octane action of professional wrestling on television, where he developed an admiration for the athleticism and storytelling the sport offered.
His desire to pursue wrestling as a career only grew stronger as he got older, motivating him to take the necessary steps to enter the industry.
TNA/IMPACT Wrestling Career
- Sabin’s professional wrestling career took off when he joined TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling) in 2003. Known for his work in TNA’s X-Division, Sabin quickly became a fan favorite due to his technical ability and innovative in-ring style.
- He was part of a generation of wrestlers who helped redefine the concept of cruiserweight wrestling, blending high-flying aerial assaults with strong technical wrestling and storytelling.
- Sabin won the TNA X-Division Championship for the first time in May 2003, just months after his debut, marking the beginning of his prominence in the promotion.
- Over the years, he would go on to become one of the most decorated X-Division competitors, holding the championship a record-setting eight times.
- His fast-paced, action-packed matches were often the highlight of TNA shows, and his rivalry with stars like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Austin Aries became iconic in the division.
Motor City Machine Guns: A Tag Team Legacy
One of the most defining aspects of Sabin’s career has been his work as part of the tag team Motor City Machine Guns, alongside fellow Michigan native Alex Shelley.2
The duo became one of the most celebrated and successful tag teams in TNA and later in IMPACT Wrestling. Known for their innovative double-team maneuvers, chemistry, and speed, the Motor City Machine Guns were a vital part of TNA’s tag team division in the mid-2000s and beyond.
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Chris Sabin’s Professional Wrestling Career: From Training to Stardom
Joshua Harter, better known by his ring name Chris Sabin, began his professional wrestling journey in Michigan. Harter’s passion for wrestling led him to the NWA Great Lakes Pro Wrestling School, where he first learned the fundamentals of the sport.
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However, the school faced operational challenges during his time there, forcing him to seek other opportunities to complete his training.
Debut and Independent Circuit Success
After completing his training, Sabin made his professional wrestling debut in 2000, competing in several independent promotions across the Midwest. He quickly gained recognition for his agility, technical ability, and innovative high-flying maneuvers.3
Sabin’s performances earned him opportunities to compete in various independent circuits, where he showcased his potential as one of wrestling’s rising stars.
Breakthrough in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
Sabin’s career took off when he signed with TNA Wrestling, where he became a central figure in the promotion’s X-Division. TNA’s X-Division was known for its fast-paced, high-flying matches, focusing on athleticism rather than weight classes. Sabin thrived in this environment, earning the admiration of fans and peers alike.
Record-Breaking X-Division Championship Reigns
Throughout his career in TNA, Sabin became synonymous with the X-Division. He holds the record for the most X-Division Championship reigns, winning the title a total of eight times.
Sabin’s ability to adapt to different styles of wrestling, from high-flying maneuvers to technical grappling, allowed him to consistently stand out in a division known for its innovation and unpredictability.
Motor City Machine Guns: A Revolutionary Tag Team
- In 2006, Sabin formed the iconic tag team Motor City Machine Guns with fellow Michigan native Alex Shelley. The team quickly gained popularity due to their innovative tag team maneuvers, seamless chemistry, and high-energy performances.
- The Motor City Machine Guns became one of TNA’s most beloved tag teams and helped redefine tag team wrestling in the 2000s.
- Together, Sabin and Shelley won multiple TNA World Tag Team Championships, facing off against top teams such as Beer Money, Inc. (Bobby Roode and James Storm) and The Young Bucks (known as Generation Me in TNA).
- Their matches were known for their creativity, fast pace, and technical brilliance, solidifying the Motor City Machine Guns as one of the best tag teams in the world.
Motor City Machine Guns Make Their WWE Debut on SmackDown
The Motor City Machine Guns, composed of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley, are widely regarded as one of the most innovative and celebrated tag teams in professional wrestling.
Known for their high-flying moves, technical precision, and undeniable chemistry, the duo has had tremendous success on the independent circuit and in Impact Wrestling (formerly known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, or TNA). However, in a groundbreaking development, they have now made their official debut in WWE, with the pair appearing on WWE SmackDown.
.@SuperChrisSabin main evented IMPACT #1. Chris Sabin main events #IMPACT1000. Timeless. pic.twitter.com/La8SDNOVfa
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) September 15, 2023
The Build-Up: WWE Teases the Arrival of the Motor City Machine Guns
Before their highly anticipated debut on Friday Night SmackDown, WWE uploaded a video introducing the Motor City Machine Guns to the WWE Universe.
The video featured SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, who had been at the forefront of managing the blue brand’s affairs since taking the role. In the video, Aldis welcomed the tag team, explaining the importance of their arrival and highlighting their years of experience in professional wrestling.
Motor City Machine Guns Officially Sign with WWE
On SmackDown, the Motor City Machine Guns were officially introduced to the WWE audience. Nick Aldis, in his role as SmackDown General Manager, played a pivotal part in their on-screen introduction.
In a behind-the-scenes segment, Aldis met with Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley in the GM office, where they discussed their entry into WWE and the opportunities that awaited them.
The Legacy of the Motor City Machine Guns: What They Bring to WWE
To understand the significance of the Motor City Machine Guns’ debut in WWE, it’s essential to look back at their illustrious careers. Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley have spent over two decades establishing themselves as one of the premier tag teams in professional wrestling.
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The Motor City Machine Guns Sign with WWE: A New Era for Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley
Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley, collectively known as the Motor City Machine Guns, have signed with WWE. The news marks the end of an era in TNA/IMPACT Wrestling, a promotion they had called home for over a decade, and ushers in an exciting new chapter in their legendary careers.
The journey to WWE has been a long and winding one for Sabin and Shelley, filled with numerous stops, rivalries, and championships in the independent circuit and TNA. Their signing with WWE represents not only a significant career milestone but also a seismic shift in the professional wrestling landscape.
The Departure from TNA: The End of an Era
For years, TNA/IMPACT Wrestling was synonymous with Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley. Formed in 2006, the Motor City Machine Guns became one of the most iconic tag teams in the promotion, helping define TNA’s unique style of wrestling, particularly in its high-octane X-Division and tag team divisions.
Their matches against teams like Beer Money, Inc., The Young Bucks, and The Dudley Boyz earned them a devoted fan base and several accolades, including multiple reigns as TNA World Tag Team Champions.
Why WWE Now? The Perfect Timing for the Motor City Machine Guns
There are several factors that likely influenced the Motor City Machine Guns’ decision to sign with WWE at this stage of their careers. New Challenges and Opportunities: Sabin and Shelley have conquered nearly every major tag team division outside of WWE, and it’s possible they saw WWE as the ultimate challenge.
With WWE’s vast global audience and competitive tag team landscape, the duo now has the chance to cement their legacy in the world’s largest professional wrestling promotion.
A New Era Begins: The Motor City Machine Guns on WWE SmackDown
The long-awaited WWE debut of the Motor City Machine Guns took place on Friday Night SmackDown, with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis introducing the team to the WWE Universe in a behind-the-scenes segment.
Aldis welcomed Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley, and the pair officially signed their contracts, marking the beginning of their WWE journey.
The Personal Life of Chris Sabin (Joshua Harter): An Inspiring Journey Beyond the Ring
Born on February 4, 1982, Joshua Harter, better known by his ring name Chris Sabin, grew up in the city of Pinckney, Michigan. Like many wrestling fans, Harter was captivated by the larger-than-life personas of professional wrestlers he watched on television.
The two figures who had the biggest impact on his decision to become a wrestler were the legendary Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart. Hogan’s charismatic presence and larger-than-life appeal, combined with Hart’s technical proficiency and ring psychology, made them iconic figures in Harter’s childhood.
Paying for Wrestling School: Subway and Sacrifice
Like many aspiring wrestlers, Harter faced financial challenges as he worked toward his dream. While attending high school, he took up a job at a local Subway sandwich shop to earn enough money to pay for his wrestling training. The job was physically demanding, but Harter’s resolve never wavered.
Every dollar he earned from making sandwiches and running the store went toward financing his training sessions at a local wrestling school in Michigan. This phase of his life highlights the sheer determination Harter had to pursue his dream, no matter the obstacles in his way.
Balancing Education and Wrestling Dreams
While working to pay for his wrestling training, Harter was also attending community college classes. He was determined to keep his education going while chasing his wrestling aspirations.
This balancing act between work, college, and training made it clear that Harter’s dedication extended far beyond the ring. He knew that to achieve his goals, he would need not only physical prowess but also mental fortitude.
Wrestling Training: Humble Beginnings
After saving enough money, Harter enrolled in the NWA Great Lakes Pro Wrestling School in Michigan, where he began his formal training. However, his journey wasn’t a straight line. The school eventually ran into operational difficulties, forcing him to search for another place to complete his training.
This setback could have discouraged many, but not Harter. Determined to pursue his passion, he made the decision to travel to Windsor, Ontario, where he could train under respected wrestling veterans Scott D’Amore and “Amazing” N8 Mattson at the Can-Am Wrestling School.
FAQ’S
1. Who is Chris Sabin?
Ans: Chris Sabin is a professional wrestler known for his time in Impact Wrestling, where he is a multiple-time X Division Champion. He is celebrated for his high-flying style and technical ability, and he has been a key figure in the development of the X Division.
2. How old is Chris Sabin?
Ans: Chris Sabin was born on February 4, 1982, making him 42 years old in 2024.
3. What are some highlights of Chris Sabin’s wrestling career?
Ans: Sabin is best known for his X Division Championship reigns and his involvement with the tag team The Motor City Machine Guns alongside Alex Shelley. He has also won the Impact World Championship and participated in promotions like Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
4. What is Chris Sabin’s personal life like?
Ans: Sabin tends to keep his personal life private, focusing more on his wrestling career. However, he is known for his close friendship and long-term tag team partnership with Alex Shelley.
5. What is Chris Sabin’s impact on the wrestling industry?
Ans: Chris Sabin has been instrumental in shaping the X Division style of wrestling, which emphasizes fast-paced, high-risk moves and has influenced many younger wrestlers. He’s considered one of the most innovative and respected figures in the high-flying and technical wrestling world.
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