AEW superstars Matt and Nick Jackson, better known as the Young Bucks, recently spoke to Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso. Highlights from the interview can be found below.
On their match against each other on BTE 200:
It was one of the best days I’ve had professionally in a while. It’s hard for me to stay home this long and not be creative, so doing this match satisfied my craving. It’s one of my favorite matches I’ve ever done. I think fans are going to love it.
Being able to be themselves and connect with fans on BTE:
It’s the one platform we’re allowed to inexplicably and unapologetically express ourselves without a single filter. For almost four years now and 200 episodes deep, it’s been and will continue to be the black sheep of every company we’ve ever worked for. And I think I like it that way. Every week, for 10 to 20 minutes, we’ve been given the ability to speak to our fans,” says Matt. “Sometimes literally, as we talk directly into the lens to them, about our schedule, interests, struggles and triumphs. And sometimes we speak to them through a silly sketch, or a long-term story with complicated characters. Being the Elite has given us the privilege to pull back the curtain, letting fans get to know us on a personal, deeper level. Being the Elite represents our lives’ work, at least in wrestling.
On Hangman Page’s growth into being a superstar:
One day Hangman walked up to me, Matt and Brandon Cutler, who helps film Being the Elite, and he said, ‘I think I want to become an alcoholic,’” said says Jackson, detailing “Hangman” Adam Page’s alcohol-fueled story line. “And I said, ‘What? We heard his idea, which was incredible, and we said, ‘Let’s do it.’ Look at him now compared to where he was a year ago. He’s a superstar. A lot of people criticized us when Hangman didn’t beat Jericho,” says Matt. “I don’t think he was ready yet. Look at his work now on ‘BTE.’ His acting is unbelievable, his confidence is through the roof. He’s ready now. If we saw this Adam Page against Jericho, who knows what would have happened.
Chris Jericho being their Hulk Hogan and helping create new stars:
I always call him our Hulk Hogan,” says Nick. “He’s done it all, and there is something about that. Even though he has been in the business for 30 years or so, he still wants to give back and get characters over. You never see that. Most wrestlers want to be over, and they don’t care about anybody else,” says Matt. The prevailing attitude in this business is often, ‘I want you to do good, just not as good as me.’ Jericho wants everyone to be elevated. We made the right call. Look at how he made Darby Allin. Those matches with Jungle Boy and Scorpio Sky were really important, too. And Jericho watches all our matches, too. People don’t realize he’s the guy that pulls us aside and says, ‘This was great, but you could do this better.’ We don’t have enough of those guys in the business.