Top AEW stars The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) spoke with Justin Barrasso of Undisputed on a number of topics, including their recent return to New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).
Matthew Jackson said, “Leaving NJPW in 2019 was definitely bittersweet, we were so appreciative of what they did for us, providing us a place to make money and a platform to express ourselves for so many years, but we knew it was time for something new and we were excited for this brand-new project called AEW. Personally, I was a bit hurt at the time, because I had seen some of the other guys who were leaving get a moment to say a proper goodbye to the fans, we didn’t get that, and I was a little bummed, so it caused me to have some feelings for a couple of years. In retrospect, I look back and think they might’ve looked at our new project as a possible threat, and from a business standpoint there was some hesitancy for them to jump right in with us like we hoped. Looking back now, I can’t blame them, we were this new, unproven thing, making a bunch of promises and it probably spooked them. Now, all these years later, I’ve learned never to take anything in this business personally again.”
Nicholas Jackson added:
“I honestly didn’t think it would ever happen again, I also knew my family was smiling ear to ear, it was just a great moment for us. Our run in NJPW, as well as Ring Of Honor made us into the wrestlers we are, so going back for the first time felt like home, felt great to be honest, a full circle moment for us. I’m grateful we got to go back and perform at the Dome quite possibly for the last time, who knows, but it felt great.”
Matthew Jackson added:
“It sounds silly, but it certainly feels like remarrying an old spouse that you had once divorced. Once we returned, I saw how easy it was to fall back in love, ah this is why I used to spend 6-8 months a year of my life here, that’s right. Now that we’ve gotten to sort of make things right, I only look back at every memory from Japan fondly, it’s really like a second home.”
