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AJ Styles questions WWE’s decision to release New Day, Motor City Machine Guns

Posted: Aug 4th 2026 By: Joseph Currier

AJ Styles thinks WWE made a poor decision by letting go of New Day and Motor City Machine Guns.

With their 90-day clauses expiring last week, Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin arrived in AEW last week on Collision. There’s no official confirmation on what’s next for Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, but it would be very surprising if they don’t end up debuting for AEW soon as well. Styles — who works behind the scenes in WWE — spoke about the situation on his new AJ Styles Show podcast and questioned how smart it was to let two teams of this caliber go.

“I have so much respect for these two tag teams and know what they’re capable of. Man, I don’t know if it was the smartest decision letting those two tag teams go. Don’t know,” Styles said. “I can tell you, I wouldn’t bet that it was the smartest decision.

“And I am, I am biased. Two guys that I’ve known forever in Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. And then Austin Creed (Xavier Woods), who I’ve literally known for over two decades. Like, we go way back. And Kofi’s such an awesome dude.”

Styles said Shelley, Sabin, Woods, and Kingston are more than just great wrestlers. All four have great psychology that they’ve perfected over the years. Styles can’t say enough good things about them, and he wants to see them do well wherever they go.
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods entering free agency —

On July 29, Kingston & Woods released a video hyping their impending free agency. This week is believed to be when they’re hitting the market after their WWE departures were first reported on May 2. Kingston & Woods chose to be released rather than accept a restructured WWE deal with a pay cut.

The AEW Tag Team titles are currently held by Adam Copeland & Christian Cage, who will be defending against The Young Bucks at All In 2026 on August 30.