The Young Bucks Celebrate Their 20-Year Wrestling Anniversary in a Contentious Way
August of 2024 – The professional wrestling industry is no stranger to grandiose parties and memorable occasions. The Young Bucks, better known as Matthew and Nicholas Jackson, are one of wrestling’s most exciting teams, and this week they celebrated turning 20 years old. But Nicholas Jackson decided to make the celebration anything but conventional by tweeting a picture that has both admirers and detractors talking.
An Exploration of the Wrestling Division
A couple of Southern California brothers started a journey two decades ago that would eventually lead them to become pioneers in the world of wrestling. From their humble beginnings in little promotions to their appearances on some of the largest platforms in the world of professional wrestling, The Young Bucks have consistently managed to reinvent themselves and remain relevant. They have climbed the ranks of promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Ring of Honor (ROH), and Total Nonstop Action (TNA).
After co-founding All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in January 2019, the brothers went beyond merely being wrestlers to become trailblazers. In the wrestling community, this new organization was viewed as a breath of fresh air because it provided an alternative to WWE’s long-standing monopoly. The Young Bucks have held the esteemed positions of Executive Vice Presidents since the founding of AEW, and in these capacities they have not only molded the company’s future but also penned their own narrative fates.
A Heel Turn with Application to Real Life
The Young Bucks made a plot-related “heel turn” in 2024 that turned them from beloved heroes into hated antagonists. But this wasn’t merely a planned character transformation; it also represented a change in the way they wielded their influence behind the scenes. They started to blur the boundaries between truth and fiction as Executive Vice Presidents, which caused friction not just with fans but also within the AEW locker room.
Their heel turn wasn’t merely a ploy; it was an admission that they were prepared to take advantage of their positions in real life to make themselves felt uncomfortable around anyone who got in their way. Their AEW tenure has revolved around this increased hostility, which has levels of depth to their already legendary careers.
“The Worst Ever Photo”: An Audacious Anniversary Declaration
Nicholas Jackson celebrated the 20th anniversary of The Young Bucks on Instagram with a post that perfectly captured their brand of irreverence. Rather than opting for a refined, sentimental picture, Nicholas selected a picture he called “the worst ever.” The photo, which shows the brothers in an uncomfortable stance and with dubious facial hair, is proof of their individuality and willingness to go against the grain.
Nicholas’s caption read: “I just learned that today is the 20th year anniversary of when we debuted in wrestling. So naturally, I picked the worst photo possible of us to celebrate this historic anniversary! Thanks to everyone who’s ever supported us. We aren’t young anymore but we will forever be your Young Bucks.”
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Although Matt and Nick Jackson are no longer the young upstarts they once were—they are now 39 and 35 years old—their reputation as The Young Bucks is deeply ingrained in the annals of wrestling history. Their careers have been characterized by invention, controversy, and an unwavering desire to push the limits of professional wrestling since they started when Nick was only 15 years old.
The AEW Debate: Who’s Making the Real Decisions?
The Young Bucks have dominated the screen, but when it comes to defending their crowns, they have been noticeably absent from AEW. They won the AEW Tag Team Championships three times, at AEW Revolution in April 2024, but they haven’t defended the championships, which has fans furious and the wrestling community speculating.
The Young Bucks were beaten in a non-title match on the June 19th episode of AEW Dynamite by The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster), which would normally earn The Acclaimed a chance to defend their belts. But as of mid-August, the championship bout was still unscheduled, which has fans wondering if AEW booked any more matches.
In his analysis of the matter, Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer stated unequivocally that Tony Khan, the owner of AEW, should bear the responsibility rather than The Young Bucks. To the dismay of their supporters, Alvarez claims that Khan’s control over the show’s booking has restricted The Young Bucks’ appearances.
“If you think that Young Bucks book their own stuff, they don’t. If you are upset about the Young Bucks not being on TV, if you are upset about the Bucks not defending their tag team titles, there is one person you can be upset at and that is Tony Khan,” Alvarez stated, drawing comparisons to similar situations involving other wrestling legends like Brock Lesnar.
All In, the upcoming AEW pay-per-view, is scheduled on August 25 at London’s Wembley Stadium. The Young Bucks are anticipated to make an appearance, but no formal match has been scheduled for them, which has increased curiosity and conjecture about their future in AEW.
