The Young Bucks

The Young Bucks are a pro wrestling tag team known for their innovative style and exciting matches. It is comprised of Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson. They have won numerous championships in promotions around the world, including AEW, NJPW, and ROH. The current AEW World Tag Team Titleholders also founding members of the Elite, a popular faction in AEW.

Also Read: Who is Nicholas Jackson married to? & Who is Matthew Jackson married to?

Early Life

The real name of Matt Jackson is Matthew Ronjon Massie. He was born on March 13, 1985, in Montebello, California, United States. The name of Nick Jackson is Nicholas Lee Massie and he too was born in California only on July 28, 1989. In 2001, their family put a wrestling ring in their backyard. Here, the two brothers tried to copy the wrestling moves they saw on television. The elder brother began his professional training during his late teens, and Nick also joined him in a few sessions.

Professional Wrestling Career

Breaking Out and own wrestling promotion (2001-2009)

Matt and Nick wrestled their first professional match at an Alternative Wrestling Show/C4/Revolution Pro joint event in 2004. They worked as Fluffy the Dog, a hillbilly, and a high-flying referee wearing a Santo mask, respectively. Later, they wrestled together as a team called "Los Gallineros" while wearing chicken costumes.

In 2004, Matt Jackson opened his own wrestling company, High-Risk Wrestling (HRW), with the help of his family and friends. Matt, Nick, and Malachi Massie, as well as Dustin Cutler, ran the company, running shows two times a month helping Matt and Nick develop their skills. In 2005, Matt and Nick were first called "The Young Bucks" at a Full Contact Wrestling show. They had previously been known as "Mr. Instant Replay" and "Slick Nick". A promoter later gave them the surname "Jackson", which they have used ever since.

HRW helped Matt and Nick land spots in several popular Southern California wrestling companies. They also gained experience working on television for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) starting in 2006. They filmed their first NWA matches on Maverick Television on November 7, 2006, and were defeated by Karl Anderson and Joey Ryan. HRW closed in 2009.

Pro Wrestling Guerilla (2004–2009)

The Young Bucks, Matt, and Nick Jackson made their debut for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) on June 10, 2007, in Burbank, California, at Roger Dorn Night, where they lost to Arrogance (Chris Bosh and Scott Lost). They met Dragon Gate wrestler Cima and Dragon Gate's American talent agent Satoshi Oji, who were both impressed by their performance. On January 5, 2008, at All-Star Weekend 6 – Night 1, The Young Bucks lost to Dragon Gate team Muscle Outlaw'z (Naruki Doi and Masato Yoshino). The next night, they lost to The Dynasty (Scott Lost and Joey Ryan). After that, the Young Bucks went on their first tour of Japan with Dragon Gate. When they returned, they beat the Dynasty in a three-way match at Life During Wartime, PWG's fifth-anniversary show.

During their time at the PWG, The Young Bucks won the PWG World Tag Team Championship four times. They first won the gold on August 31, 2008, and held it for a then-record 616 days before losing it to El Generico and Paul London. Their next reign began on April 9, 2011, where they held it for 245 days.

They won the title for the third time on January 12, 2013, after defeating Brian Cage and Michael Elgin. The Bucks held the gold for 561 days. Their fourth and final reign with the gold began on June 26, 2015, when they broke their record of longest-reigning PWG World Tag Team Champions. They held the belt for 631 days before losing it to Lucha Brothers.

Combined, they held the PWG World Tag Team Championship for 2053 days, which is more than anyone else.

Dragon Gate (2008-2009)

The Young Bucks debuted for Dragon Gate (DG) in Tokyo, Japan, on May 14, 2008, at Korakuen Hall. They lost their first match to Susumu Yokosuka and Ryo Saito. Their first tour of Japan lasted from May 14 to June 14. Their second tour lasted from August 9-28, 2008.

On May 3, 2009, in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Matt and Nick defended their PWG World Tag Team titles against Shingo Takagi and Akira Tozawa. This was the first time the titles had been defended in Japan. On May 5, 2009, at the Dead or Alive pay-per-view in Aichi, Japan, the Young Bucks and Ryoma lost to Akira Tozawa, Kenshin Chikano, and Anthony W. Mori.

WWE (2008, 2011)

On the February 22, 2008 episode of SmackDown, Matt Jackson lost to Chuck Palumbo. Later that year, he lost to The Big Show in a Last Man Standing match and went through the table. On the October 28 episode of ECW, the two brothers appeared together and cosplayed Shawn Michaels and Triple H before being taken out by The Miz and John Morrison.

Chikara (2009–2013, 2015)

The Young Bucks, comprising Matt and Nick Jackson, appeared in Chikara on March 27, 2009, as a participant in the King of Trios competition. Despite their efforts, they were wiped out in the first round by The Osirian Portal. They got back to Chikara on different events, partaking in occasions, for example, the Rey de Voladores competition and tag team matches. In 2010, they collaborated with their sibling Malachi as the Jackson 3. However, they were again eliminated in the first round of the King of Trios competition.

They kept on contending in Chikara, facing opponents like Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw. The Young Bucks won the Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas in 2012 in the wake of defeating F.I.S.T. in a Two Out of Three Falls match. They defended their titles effectively on numerous occasions, confronting teams like The Throwbacks and The Spectral Envoy. Regardless of their victories, they at last lost the title to 3.0 in 2013. The Young Bucks got back to Chikara in 2015 with A.J. Styles in the King of Trios competition, where they arrived at the final yet were beaten by Aero Star, Drago, and Fénix.

Ring of Honor (2009–2018, 2022)

Matt and Nick Jackson made their debut in Ring of Honor (ROH) on May 29 and 30, 2009. They scored triumphs over different teams, including Sal Rinauro and Brandon Day, Silas Young, and Bobby Fish. Their prosperity went on as they defeated the five-time ROH World Tag Team Champions, the Briscoe Brothers at the event of Glory by Honor VIII: The Final Countdown in 2009. The Young Bucks displayed their abilities further by winning against previous champion Kevin Steen and El Generico at Final Battle 2009 which was ROH's first live pay-per-view. Their ROH spell was momentarily hindered when they marked agreements with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).

They got back to ROH in 2011 at Death Before Dishonor IX, overcoming Future Shock and the Bravado Brothers in a three-way elimination match. They kept on contending in ROH, winning a four-team gauntlet match at Final Battle 2011 and trying for the ROH World Tag Team Title at the tenth Commemoration Show on March 4. At last, they left ROH in 2012 yet returned sometime thereafter, catching the ROH World Tag Team Title interestingly in 2014, by beating reDRagon. The Young Bucks experienced ups and downs in their tag team journey, including coming out on top and losing the championship against the reDRagon in different events.

They likewise won the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Title in 2017, shaping a trio named "The Hung Bucks" with Adam Page. After different fights and matches, they headed out in different directions from ROH after the Final Battle. However, they made an unexpected return in 2022, at Supercard of Honor XV, going after the Briscoe Brothers.

Dragon Gate USA (2009–2010, 2012, 2013)

In 2009, The Young Bucks appeared in Dragon Gate USA (DGUSA) on the Enter the Dragon PPV, overcoming the Warriors 5. However, on September 6 at Untouchable, they confronted a loss against Real Hazard. Afterward, at Freedom Fight, they contended in a 6-way Open the Freedom Gate Title competition, however, Gran Akuma arose victorious. In the wake of joining TNA Wrestling, they made their fourth DGUSA appearance in 2010, at Fearless, where they lost in a three-way elimination tag team match.

Regardless of being at first pulled from events by TNA, an agreement was reached, permitting them to make goodbye appearances in March. They lost to Cima, Gamma, and Dragon Kid at Open the Ultimate Gate to Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw at the recordings of Mercury Rising. They got back in the game to DGUSA in 2012, beating Chuck Taylor and Scorpio Sky. They further proceeded with their success by defeating D.U.F. in 2013. At the Open the United Gate Championship, they won the Open the United Gate Title by beating A.R. Fox and Cima.

TNA (2009–2011, 2013, 2021)

In 2009, The Young Bucks, later known as Generation Me in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), wrestled The Motor City Machine Guns in a tryout dark match at TNA Impact! recordings. TNA executives praised them, prompting their marking of a one-year agreement declared by TNA president Dixie Carter. Renamed Max and Jeremy Buck, they appeared in 2010 by beating The Motor City Machine Guns. They went after the TNA World Tag Team Title at Destination X yet were beaten. They predominantly wrestled singles matches before Jeremy won against X Division Champion Douglas Williams in 2010.

They turned heel and went after The Motor City Machine Guns at No Surrender in 2010. The Bucks tested for the tag titles at Bound for Glory yet lost. Tara turned into their fan, however, they confronted The Motor City Machine Guns in an Empty Arena match and lost. They likewise failed to come out on top for the championships in a Full Metal Mayhem match at Final Resolution. In 2011, they marked new two-year agreements with TNA. They partook in a competition to decide another main competitor for X Division Champion Kazarian. However, both missed the final Despite everything because of travel issues. They contended in an Ultimate X match for the X Division Title at Victory Road but failed to win.

They confronted each other in singles matches in a few events, and Max won twice. In 2011, Max turned on Jeremy during a match, prompting a feud between them. Max turned into the number one competitor for the X Division Title yet failed to win it at Sacrifice. The Bucks' last TNA match was at Destination X where they were defeated. They got back to TNA for a one-night appearance in 2021, interfering in an Impact World title defense match to help Kenny Omega win.

NJPW (2013-2019)

The Young Bucks debuted in NJPW in the 2013 Super Jr. Tag Tournament, representing the heel foreigner stable Bullet Club. They won the tournament, defeating Gedo and Jado in the final. The Young Bucks won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship at Power Struggle on November 9, 2013. They made five successful title defenses before losing to Time Splitters on June 21, 2014. The Young Bucks won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship twice in 2015 but lost it each time in their first defense.

In early 2016, Young Bucks and Kenny Omega started creating a sub-group in The Bullet Club known as The Elite. The Young Bucks won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship five times in 2016-2018, but lost it all time within a few months. In 2018, The Young Bucks moved to the heavyweight tag team division in NJPW. They won the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the first time but lost it later that year.

AEW (2019-Present)

All In 2018

In May 2017, wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer doubted that an independent wrestling show could sell out a 10,000-seat arena in the US. Defiant, The Young Bucks and Cody Rhodes planned a show specifically to prove him wrong. They named the show "All In" and announced it in May 2018.

When tickets went on sale on May 13, they sold out in just 30 minutes. At the event, The Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi defeated Bandido, Rey Fénix, and Rey Mysterio in the main event. This event became the stepping stone for All Elite Wrestling.

Beginning in AEW

At AEW's inaugural event, Double or Nothing, The Young Bucks defeated the Lucha Brothers. They continued their winning streak with victories over Cody and Dustin Rhodes and Kenny Omega, but they lost a rematch for the AAA World Tag Team Championship to the Lucha Brothers in a ladder match, ending their feud.

The Young Bucks then teamed with Omega in a losing effort to Chris Jericho, Santana, and Ortiz. This led to a feud between The Elite and The Inner Circle. The Young Bucks were eliminated from the AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament by Private Party, but they defeated Santana and Ortiz in a street fight tag team match to end their feud.

Tag team title runs

The Young Bucks competed in a four-way tag team match for a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship, but lost. Nick Jackson was then injured by the Inner Circle, and the Young Bucks were kicked out of the Elite by Hangman Page. They returned with a new attitude and defeated The Jurassic Express at All Out. They then superkicked Alex Marvez, turning into tweeners. At Full Gear, the Young Bucks defeated FTR to win their first AEW Tag Team Championship. They successfully defended the titles against The Acclaimed on Christmas Day.

Reunion with Kenny Omega

The Young Bucks refused to join Kenny Omega and the Good Brothers, but eventually turned heel and joined them, turning against their friends for the first time in AEW. They defeated Death Triangle to win the AEW Tag Team Championship but lost to the Lucha Bros at All Out 2021. They regained the title in a ladder match against Jurassic Express but lost it again to Swerve in Our Glory.

Suspension from AEW and return

They then reformed the Elite with Kenny Omega and won the AEW World Trios Championship Tournament, defeating Hangman Adam Page and the Dark Order in the final at All Out. In the media scrum after the event, Bucks and Omega got into a physical confrontation with AEW World Champion CM Punk and his friend Ace Steel. They all were stripped of their titles and suspended in the meantime.

The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega returned to AEW and challenged Death Triangle for the AEW World Trios Championship, but lost. The two teams then competed in a Best of Seven series, which The Elite won to regain the championship. They made several successful defenses but eventually lost the championship to the House of Black. In the aftermath, the Elite stood alongside their former stablemate Hangman Page, but Omega refused to embrace Page.

The two lost to Omega and Jericho at Full Gear 2023 and went on a hiatus. In January 2024, they confronted Sting and Darby Allin. The next month, Allin and Sting won the AEW World Tag Team Championship and The Bucks became their number one contender. At AEW Revolution 2024, the Young Bucks challenged the champions in Sting's last wrestling match but failed to win the titles. The next Dynamite, as the EVPs, kicked their friend Kenny Omega and welcomed his arch-nemesis and AEW debutant Kazuchika Okada to The Elite.

Executive Vice Presidents

Following a two-month break, The Young Bucks returned in January 2024, facing Sting and Darby Allin, prompting Sting's last match. They embraced their roles as AEW executive VPs, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson. The Bucks became number one competitors for the AEW World Tag Team Titles, held by Sting and Allin, and lost at Revolution. They then brought home the championships for a record third time at Dynasty and later went after AEW President Tony Khan on Dynamite.

The Young Bucks Personal Lives

The two brothers are the middle of four children of The Massies. Their parents are Joyce and Matthew Massie Sr. They were born to Joyce Massie and Matthew Massie Sr. Their younger brother Malachi Jackson or Malachi Massie was also a professional wrestler before he retired in 2010 due to traveling fatigue.

The Young Bucks Five Star Matches

The Young Bucks are known as one of the most talented pro-wrestling tag teams in the world and one of the major reasons behind it is the stars given to them by pro-wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer. To date, he has rated 11 of Young Buck's matches to be at least five stars. In comparison, throughout WWE history, he has given only nine matches a five-star rating excluding NXT.

Matt Jackson Wife

Matthew Jackson is married to Dana Massie, the former AEW Marketing and Merchandise Officer. Their union began on November 11, 2008, and they are proud parents to Kourtney Louise, their daughter, and Zachary Matthew, their son.

Nick Jackson Wife

Nicholas Jackson is married to his longtime girlfriend Ellen Montoya. He married Montoya in 2011. The couple are parents to three wonderful kids - a daughter named Alison and two sons Michael and Gregory.

The Young Bucks Title Galore

The Young Bucks Net Worth

The Young Bucks are reportedly worth around $2 Million in 2024, translating to $1 Million each for Nick and Matt Jackson. Further, it is estimated that the team draws an annual salary of around $1 Million for their wrestling work and their EVP duties. Click here to read about the net worth of Nick Jackson & here for Matt Jackson in detail.