On April 9, 2003, Sabin teamed with Johnny Storm for a multi-team match – against Jerry Lynn and Amazing Red, Jason Cross and Shark Boy, and Triple X.
Chris Sabin has had a Hall of Fame-worthy career, including:
- Former TNA/IMPACT World Champion
- 3x IMPACT World Tag Team Champion as half of the Motor City Machine Guns with Alex Shelley.
- 8-time X-Division Champion, and his combined 432-days as X-Division Champion also is the most-ever.
- sixth TNA Triple Crown Champion.
- 5x IMPACT Year-End Award-winner, including Match of the Year, Moment of the Year and Men’s Tag Team of the Year, with Alex Shelley as half of the Motor City Machine Guns.
- former GCW Tag Team Champion
- current New Japan Pro Wrestling STRONG Tag Team Champion
Chris Sabin comments:
“When I reflect on starting with TNA/IMPACT 20 years ago, it brings gratitude,” Sabin said. “This company has allowed me to make a living pursuing my passion and for many years has given me a platform for self-expression. This company has believed in me enough to always want me around, and though there were a few years between 2014-2019 I explored pro wrestling (in) other places, I was able to return home and continue the journey.
“I’m very proud of my time with TNA/IMPACT, as it has given me an opportunity to inspire others. Hearing and seeing how I have influenced other wrestlers throughout the years I see as a gift.”
Sabin reminisces about winning the X Division Championship for the first time – on May 14, 2003. “With it being my third match with TNA, I remember feeling pressure to step up and prove to the company that I was deserving of such an accomplishment,” he said.
Sabin also spotlighted early matches against Frankie Kazarian, winning the Super X Cup in 2003 and participating in his first-ever Ultimate X match on August 20, 2003.
“Winning the X Division Championship more times than anyone in history contributes to my unique legacy,” Sabin said. “There’s no doubt the X Division changed wrestling forever.
To be remembered as one of the greatest champions is an honor.”
Sabin vacated the X Division Championship in 2013 for a TNA World Heavyweight Championship match – and, on July 18, 2013, he left the arena as the World Champion after defeating Bully Ray.
“The moment of the 1-2-3 and the sound of the crowd as I defeated Bully Ray for the World Championship is a cherished memory and something I will never forget. The reaction felt genuine,” Sabin said.
Sabin and Shelley formed the Motor City Machine Guns in 2006 while on tour for ZERO-1 MAX in Japan. They battled Ikudo Hidaka and Minoru Fujita.
“I think what makes the Motor City Machine Guns so successful is not only our shared passion for wrestling, but our ability to work as one. Our teamwork is unmatched,” Sabin said.
As mentioned above, Chris Sabin is a 3x TNA/IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champion. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelly just recently signed new contracts with IMPACT Wrestling, and have since gained and lost the GCW Tag Team Titles, and are the current NJPW STRONG Tag Team Champions.
“I just want to continue to create an unforgettable legacy for Chris Sabin and the Motor City Machine Guns, while at the same time giving back to the business that has given me so much,” he said.
“It would be impossible for me to pick one all-time favorite match throughout my time at IMPACT Wrestling. If I wanted to show someone who wasn’t a hardcore wrestling fan a series of matches that would be a good representation of my work in IMPACT, it would be the Motor City Machine Guns’ first tag title win along with the proceeding best-of-5 series against Beer Money.”
Make sure you watch Chris Sabin and the Motor City Machine Guns on IMPACT WRESTLING EVERY Thursday!
-IMPACT Plus App
-AXSTV in USA
-Fight Network in CANADA
-DAZN for international fans sign up here (includes BTI pre-show, weekly IMPACTonAXSTV episode, LIVE monthly specials, 4 flagship PPVs, + footage from the library)
-Become a YouTube Insider HERE and subscribe.
- Insider is $1.49/month. (includes weekly show)
- Ultimate Insider is $6.99/month. (includes weekly show w/ live chat, exclusive series, live monthly specials, and old content)
#IMPACTonAXSTV
Follow Gerard at @BearDown316 on Twitter
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