From Backyard to Big Time: The Rise of The Young Bucks and Their Impact on Wrestling
From Backyard to Big Time: The Rise of The Young Bucks and Their Impact on Wrestling
Deets On AEW
From Backyard to Big Time: The Rise of The Young Bucks and Their Impact on Wrestling
The Young Bucks, Matt and Nick Jackson, were born Matthew Massie (March 13, 1985) and Nicholas Massie (July 28, 1989) in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Growing up in a wrestling-loving family, the brothers were inspired by the high-flying, energetic style of wrestlers like The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) and the Hardy Boyz. As kids, they built their own backyard wrestling ring and began practicing moves they saw on television, developing a passion for the craft.
Encouraged by their parents, the Massie brothers, alongside their older brother Malachi, began participating in backyard wrestling events with friends and family. It was through these formative years that they honed their teamwork and started to develop the chemistry that would define their careers. In 2001, Matt Jackson attended a local wrestling school in California, eventually becoming the trainer for Nick, solidifying the brothers’ path to becoming a tag team.
Breaking Into the Independent Scene
After completing their training, Matt and Nick began wrestling professionally in 2004, using their real names. Their initial foray into the independent wrestling circuit was met with modest success, but their big break came when they reinvented themselves as The Young Bucks in 2007. The team adopted a flashy, energetic, and acrobatic style of wrestling, blending it with brash, cocky attitudes that mirrored their personalities.
Their high-energy in-ring style, characterized by an array of superkicks, high-flying moves, and synchronized double-team maneuvers, quickly made them standout performers in promotions such as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) and Dragon Gate USA. By the late 2000s, they were considered one of the most exciting and innovative tag teams on the independent wrestling scene.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and International Success
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), based in Southern California, was a critical promotion for the Young Bucks’ rise to prominence. PWG was known for its loyal fanbase and its platform for showcasing the world’s best independent wrestlers. The Bucks quickly became regulars in the promotion, engaging in classic matches with other top tag teams, including The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) and Super Smash Bros. (Player Uno and Stupefied).
The Young Bucks’ matches were lauded for their high-flying, fast-paced, and often chaotic nature. In 2009, they captured their first PWG World Tag Team Championship, a title they would go on to win multiple times. Their time in PWG helped solidify their status as an elite tag team, not just in the U.S., but internationally.
Their international exposure grew when they started wrestling for Dragon Gate in Japan, a promotion known for its fast-paced, junior heavyweight style. Here, they continued to perfect their in-ring style, learning from the high-speed, high-risk maneuvers that were a hallmark of the Dragon Gate promotion.
TNA and ROH: Expanding Their Reach
In 2009, The Young Bucks made their first foray into mainstream wrestling when they signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where they were known as Generation Me, with Matt adopting the ring name "Max Buck" and Nick as "Jeremy Buck." However, their time in TNA was marked by creative frustrations, as the company struggled to understand their unique appeal.
Despite the difficulties, The Young Bucks had notable matches with The Motor City Machine Guns and several other top teams. However, they left TNA in 2011, feeling that their potential had been stifled.
After leaving TNA, The Young Bucks shifted their focus to Ring of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), two promotions that would play a crucial role in their career evolution. ROH offered a platform that embraced independent wrestling’s innovative and rebellious spirit. The Bucks quickly became one of ROH’s top tag teams, aligning themselves with other top stars such as Kevin Steen (Kevin Owens), Adam Cole, and The Briscoe Brothers. Their high-energy, superkick-heavy matches thrilled crowds across the U.S., and they continued to gain a loyal fanbase.
The Birth of The Bullet Club
A career-defining moment for The Young Bucks came in 2013 when they joined NJPW’s Bullet Club faction, which had been formed by Prince Devitt (Finn Bálor). The Bullet Club quickly became one of the most popular and controversial factions in wrestling, embodying the rebellious, anti-establishment attitude that resonated with fans.
As members of Bullet Club, The Young Bucks became even more prominent in NJPW, engaging in classic tag team matches against some of the promotion’s best talents, including reDragon (Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish) and The Time Splitters (KUSHIDA and Alex Shelley). Their time in NJPW was filled with accolades, including multiple reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. They became known for their innovative matches that blended storytelling, athleticism, and sheer spectacle.
The Bullet Club’s influence extended far beyond Japan, making The Young Bucks international stars. Their use of social media, especially YouTube, helped them connect directly with fans and promote themselves in a way few wrestlers had before. The “Too Sweet” hand gesture, popularized by the faction, became a symbol of their global appeal.
Being The Elite and the Rise of Independent Wrestling
In 2016, The Young Bucks, alongside Kenny Omega, helped revolutionize the way wrestling was consumed through the creation of their YouTube series Being The Elite. What started as a behind-the-scenes travel vlog soon evolved into a highly entertaining, comedic, and storyline-driven series that followed the lives of The Young Bucks and other members of Bullet Club. It became a cult hit, showcasing their personalities and drawing new fans to their matches.
Being The Elite became a vehicle for telling stories outside the traditional confines of wrestling promotions. It also allowed The Young Bucks to blur the line between independent and mainstream wrestling, turning their brand into a global phenomenon. Their success on the independent circuit began to reflect the changing landscape of professional wrestling, where wrestlers had more power to control their narratives and build their fanbases through digital media.
By 2018, The Young Bucks had become the flagbearers of independent wrestling, as they proved that wrestlers didn’t need a major promotion like WWE to become international stars. Their merchandise, sold through Pro Wrestling Tees, was some of the best-selling in the industry, and they regularly headlined independent shows all over the world.
The Formation of All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
The Young Bucks’ independent success culminated in one of the most significant moments in wrestling history. In 2018, after the success of All In, a self-financed wrestling event that sold out a 10,000-seat arena in Chicago, The Young Bucks, alongside Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and Tony Khan, announced the formation of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in January 2019.
AEW was designed as an alternative to WWE, focusing on in-ring quality, storytelling, and creative freedom for its wrestlers. As executive vice presidents of the company, Matt and Nick played crucial roles in AEW’s vision and growth. They also became top stars within the promotion’s burgeoning tag team division.
AEW provided The Young Bucks with a platform to showcase their style on a larger scale than ever before. They were key figures in some of AEW’s most memorable moments, including their iconic tag team matches against teams like The Lucha Brothers (Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix) and FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler). Their match with The Lucha Brothers at AEW’s All Out 2021 in a steel cage is widely regarded as one of the greatest tag team matches of all time.
AEW Tag Team Champions and Legacy
In 2020, The Young Bucks captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship for the first time, solidifying their legacy as one of the greatest tag teams in modern wrestling history. Their reign included epic battles with top-tier teams, continuing their tradition of delivering show-stealing performances.
The Young Bucks’ contributions to AEW extended beyond the ring. As executives, they played a major role in shaping AEW’s tag team division, scouting talent, and mentoring younger wrestlers. They helped establish AEW as a credible alternative to WWE and were instrumental in its early success.
Impact on Wrestling and Cultural Phenomenon
Throughout their career, The Young Bucks have had an undeniable influence on the wrestling industry. They helped usher in a new era where independent wrestlers could achieve mainstream success without conforming to traditional paths. Their use of social media, particularly YouTube, revolutionized how wrestlers connected with fans, and their entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for others to take control of their careers.
The Young Bucks’ high-flying, superkick-heavy style also changed the way tag team wrestling was perceived. They were criticized by some for their “spot-heavy” matches, but their ability to innovate, tell stories in the ring, and connect with audiences earned them respect across the wrestling world.
Personal Life and Outside Ventures
Outside the ring, Matt and Nick Jackson are known for their close-knit family values. Both brothers are married with children, and they often share their family life with fans through social media and Being The Elite. They are devout Christians and have credited their faith for helping them stay grounded in the often chaotic world of professional wrestling.
In addition to their wrestling careers, The Young Bucks have ventured into business with the launch of their own merchandise and clothing line. Their entrepreneurial spirit has led to success beyond wrestling, further cementing their legacy as innovators.
The Young Bucks’ journey from backyard wrestling in Rancho Cucamonga to becoming international stars and executives in AEW is a testament to their resilience, innovation, and passion for professional wrestling. Matt and Nick Jackson not only changed the way tag team wrestling is perceived but also contributed to reshaping the entire wrestling landscape by proving that success doesn’t need to come from within the confines of a major wrestling promotion like WWE. Their influence has extended beyond the squared circle, becoming cultural icons who have inspired a new generation of wrestlers to think outside the box and take control of their own destinies.
Pioneers of Tag Team Wrestling
The Young Bucks redefined what tag team wrestling could be. Their high-flying, fast-paced style, coupled with their creativity and innovation, set a new standard for in-ring performance. With an array of double-team moves, daring flips, and their signature superkicks, the Bucks were able to turn every match into a spectacle. They popularized the “superkick party” — a match structure where an abundance of superkicks would be delivered, often drawing crowd reactions of awe or laughter. The Bucks became synonymous with the move, turning it into a fan-favorite element of their matches.
But beyond the in-ring spectacle, what truly made The Young Bucks special was their storytelling ability. While they were often seen as the masters of flashy moves, their matches always told a deeper story, with escalating tension, dramatic near-falls, and climactic conclusions. Whether as heroes or villains, The Young Bucks knew how to make the audience feel invested in the outcome of their bouts.
Their matches against teams like The Lucha Brothers, FTR, and reDragon are considered some of the best tag team bouts in modern wrestling history. These encounters were not just about high spots and acrobatics; they were narratives that displayed emotion, rivalries, and the stakes at hand. Their match against The Lucha Brothers at All Out 2021 was a storytelling masterpiece, combining brutal physicality with a climactic finish that left fans in awe.
Wrestling Industry Innovators
The Young Bucks’ influence on the business side of professional wrestling is just as significant as their impact in the ring. By leveraging platforms like YouTube and social media, they transformed the way wrestlers engage with their audience. Being The Elite provided an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of Matt and Nick Jackson, allowing fans to connect with them on a personal level and follow storylines that transcended the wrestling ring.
This approach helped them build a loyal fanbase that followed them from promotion to promotion, and it showcased the power of independent marketing in an industry traditionally dominated by large corporations. Their ability to blend real-life personas with wrestling characters made them trailblazers in the field of self-promotion and digital marketing in professional wrestling.
They also played a crucial role in the rise of Pro Wrestling Tees, one of the biggest platforms for wrestling merchandise outside of WWE. Their unique t-shirts and other merchandise became highly sought-after items among fans, allowing them to generate significant income outside of their wrestling contracts. By pioneering new ways for wrestlers to monetize their brands, The Young Bucks helped create opportunities for independent wrestlers worldwide.
AEW: A Revolution in Wrestling
The formation of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) marked a turning point in The Young Bucks’ careers and in the professional wrestling industry as a whole. Alongside Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and Tony Khan, Matt and Nick Jackson sought to provide an alternative to the WWE-dominated wrestling landscape. AEW’s creation in 2019 fulfilled a demand for a promotion that prioritized in-ring work, creative freedom, and the elevation of tag team wrestling.
The Young Bucks were instrumental in establishing AEW’s tag team division, which quickly became one of the most competitive and exciting in the world. As both executives and wrestlers, they ensured that tag team wrestling was treated with the same respect and importance as singles competition. In doing so, they helped elevate tag team wrestling to the forefront of mainstream wrestling.
Their matches in AEW not only cemented their legacy as one of the greatest tag teams of all time but also solidified AEW as a major player in the global wrestling scene. AEW’s blend of high-quality matches, innovative storytelling, and diverse roster attracted fans from around the world, and The Young Bucks were at the heart of that revolution.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite their success, The Young Bucks have not been without their share of controversies. Throughout their careers, they have been polarizing figures, with some fans criticizing their in-ring style as being too focused on high spots and lacking in psychology. Their liberal use of superkicks and acrobatic maneuvers led to debates about the direction of modern wrestling and whether their style represented a departure from traditional wrestling fundamentals.
Additionally, as executive vice presidents of AEW, Matt and Nick Jackson have faced the challenges of balancing their in-ring careers with their responsibilities behind the scenes. The pressure to not only perform at a high level but also help manage the company has sometimes placed them at the center of creative disputes. Nonetheless, their commitment to AEW’s vision and their dedication to pushing the boundaries of what wrestling can be has continued to define their legacy.
The Young Bucks' Legacy
The legacy of The Young Bucks will forever be intertwined with their contributions to tag team wrestling, independent wrestling, and the creation of AEW. They have changed the landscape of professional wrestling, proving that success doesn’t have to come from a WWE contract and that independent wrestlers can achieve global stardom by betting on themselves.
Their matches have set a new standard for athleticism, creativity, and innovation in tag team wrestling, and their impact on the business side of the industry has opened the door for countless wrestlers to take control of their careers in ways that were previously unimaginable.
The Young Bucks’ willingness to take risks, both in the ring and in their business ventures, has made them pioneers in the world of professional wrestling. Whether through Being The Elite, their work in NJPW and ROH, or their role in launching AEW, Matt and Nick Jackson have proven time and time again that they are not just great wrestlers but visionaries who have left an indelible mark on the industry.
Looking Ahead
As of 2024, The Young Bucks remain key players in AEW’s tag team division, continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in the ring. Their influence on younger talent in AEW is apparent, as many of the next-generation wrestlers credit The Young Bucks with inspiring their own careers.
Beyond their in-ring work, Matt and Nick Jackson continue to shape AEW behind the scenes, helping guide the promotion through its ongoing evolution. As AEW grows and expands its reach globally, The Young Bucks’ role as trailblazers and visionaries will continue to be felt.
Their journey from backyard wrestlers to international superstars is a testament to their passion, creativity, and refusal to conform to traditional industry norms. In an era where the wrestling world is constantly changing, The Young Bucks have remained at the forefront, leading the charge and inspiring others to dream big, work hard, and take control of their own destinies.
Conclusion
The Young Bucks' story is one of perseverance, innovation, and breaking the mold. They have shattered expectations at every turn, from their humble beginnings on the independent circuit to becoming cornerstones of AEW. Their impact on the wrestling industry is undeniable, and their legacy as one of the greatest tag teams in history is firmly established. As The Young Bucks continue to evolve and redefine professional wrestling, their influence will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come.