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Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big Leagues
"The Young Bucks are two guys who not only beat the odds to become one of the greatest, most popular tag teams ever, but also two industry changing visionaries. Matt and Nick are two of the smartest, hard-working, passionate individuals I’ve met during my 28 year career. With the creation of AEW, The Bucks will definitely leave the pro wrestling industry in a much better place then they discovered it in." —Matt Hardy, multiple-time world tag team champion
The electric and daring independent wrestling tag team tells their inspiring story, revealing how two undersized, ambitious amateur athletes from Southern California became the idols of millions of popular sports fans and coveted among the ranks of AEW’s elite wrestling lineup.
Famous for their highflying moves, Superkicks and viral videos, Matt and Nick Jackson are two of the hottest and most talented competitors in professional wrestling today. Known as the Young Bucks, this pair of ambitious brothers are an inspiration to both fans and aspiring wrestlers worldwide due to their message of resilience and determination. That they are also faithful family men devoted to their loved ones gives them additional appeal.
A warm, heartfelt story of hope, perseverance, and undying ambition told with the brothers’ wit and charm, Young Bucks begins in Southern California, where two young boys grew up dreaming of success and fame. Matt and Nick look back on the sacrifices they made to achieve their ambitions, from taking odd jobs to pay for their own wrestling ring to hosting backyard events with friends. They share their joy at being recruited into the independent California wrestling circuit and the work it took to finally make it professionally, and speak frankly about what it means to have the support of millions of fans cheering their talents in arenas nationwide. The Young Bucks talk endearingly about their sport, their faith, and their families, sharing personal reflections and behind-the-scenes anecdotes while paying tribute to the wrestling acts and inspirations that came before them. They also elaborate on this historical time in the evolution of wrestling, as the sport and its culture dramatically change day by day.
Alternating between each brother’s perspective from chapter to chapter, this entertaining memoir is a complete portrait of what it means to grow into—and give back to—wrestling, the sport and profession they embody and love.
Young Bucks features approximately two dozen photographs.
The electric and daring independent wrestling tag team tells their inspiring story, revealing how two undersized, ambitious amateur athletes from Southern California became the idols of millions of popular sports fans and coveted among the ranks of AEW’s elite wrestling lineup.
Famous for their highflying moves, Superkicks and viral videos, Matt and Nick Jackson are two of the hottest and most talented competitors in professional wrestling today. Known as the Young Bucks, this pair of ambitious brothers are an inspiration to both fans and aspiring wrestlers worldwide due to their message of resilience and determination. That they are also faithful family men devoted to their loved ones gives them additional appeal.
A warm, heartfelt story of hope, perseverance, and undying ambition told with the brothers’ wit and charm, Young Bucks begins in Southern California, where two young boys grew up dreaming of success and fame. Matt and Nick look back on the sacrifices they made to achieve their ambitions, from taking odd jobs to pay for their own wrestling ring to hosting backyard events with friends. They share their joy at being recruited into the independent California wrestling circuit and the work it took to finally make it professionally, and speak frankly about what it means to have the support of millions of fans cheering their talents in arenas nationwide. The Young Bucks talk endearingly about their sport, their faith, and their families, sharing personal reflections and behind-the-scenes anecdotes while paying tribute to the wrestling acts and inspirations that came before them. They also elaborate on this historical time in the evolution of wrestling, as the sport and its culture dramatically change day by day.
Alternating between each brother’s perspective from chapter to chapter, this entertaining memoir is a complete portrait of what it means to grow into—and give back to—wrestling, the sport and profession they embody and love.
Young Bucks features approximately two dozen photographs.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2020
About the author
Matt Jackson
54 books19 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
April 6, 2023
This is an awesome book. I have not be a full time pro-wrestling fan for a number of years. Yet I do keep one ear to the ground. I did stop watching WWE quite early on, and changed to the indi shows definitely ROH.
I think I became a fan of every member of the roster, I actually find it funny the number of top guys I saw, and pointed out to the people are now the top of the WWE.
When I first saw this book my first thought was oh the Young Bucks made it to the WWE. as only WWE or these big company wrestlers would be writing their own book. The fact is that they did not need a company behind them. They not only enhanced every company they worked for, but created their own.
What makes these guys so great is they took everything that was thrown at them or to them and made it their own. They did everything their own way.
These guys are compared to the Hardy Boyz, to the point that there book is even written in the same both brother writing a chapter each. Even their early careers of starting in their backyards with home made rings. The difference comes later, where the Hardys made it their goal to be in the WWE/WWF, the Bucks decided to go the outlaw way.
This is a great story of passion, persistence, sacrifice, hardwork, heartbreak and achievement. This is an awesome underdog story of two guys who would not change but changed the world of their industry.
I think I became a fan of every member of the roster, I actually find it funny the number of top guys I saw, and pointed out to the people are now the top of the WWE.
When I first saw this book my first thought was oh the Young Bucks made it to the WWE. as only WWE or these big company wrestlers would be writing their own book. The fact is that they did not need a company behind them. They not only enhanced every company they worked for, but created their own.
What makes these guys so great is they took everything that was thrown at them or to them and made it their own. They did everything their own way.
These guys are compared to the Hardy Boyz, to the point that there book is even written in the same both brother writing a chapter each. Even their early careers of starting in their backyards with home made rings. The difference comes later, where the Hardys made it their goal to be in the WWE/WWF, the Bucks decided to go the outlaw way.
This is a great story of passion, persistence, sacrifice, hardwork, heartbreak and achievement. This is an awesome underdog story of two guys who would not change but changed the world of their industry.
January 23, 2022
Never did I expect that I would cry so much because of a wrestling book, but here we are.
This was beautiful, and when I say that - I mean it. I can't find a single flaw because everything was on point.
The writing? Engaging.
The chapter length? Not too long, not to short.
The story? Truly inspiring.
As a wrestling fan I knew who the Young Bucks were, but I didn't know the full story. Now I do, and all I can say is wow.
Even if you're not into wrestling, you should still give this a try. It's written in a very accessible way so you shouldn't have any trouble connecting the dots. And it's a good time, trust me. I only wish it was even longer.
This was beautiful, and when I say that - I mean it. I can't find a single flaw because everything was on point.
The writing? Engaging.
The chapter length? Not too long, not to short.
The story? Truly inspiring.
As a wrestling fan I knew who the Young Bucks were, but I didn't know the full story. Now I do, and all I can say is wow.
Even if you're not into wrestling, you should still give this a try. It's written in a very accessible way so you shouldn't have any trouble connecting the dots. And it's a good time, trust me. I only wish it was even longer.
August 24, 2021
In 2019, Nick and Matt Jackson, alongside several of their friends and peers, as well as American businessman Tony Khan, founded AEW (All Elite Wrestling), a new and exciting competitor to the monopolistic WWE in the United States. However, the duo weren’t always the trendsetting disrupters they came to be in recent years, they had to start at the very bottom. YOUNG BUCKS: KILLING THE BUSINESS FROM THE BACKYARDS TO THE BIG LEAGUES is the story of how the two Jackson brothers rose through the ranks and went from undesirable to undeniable.
The book spends considerable time on how they both came up in the business as self-taught backyard wrestling performers before receiving legitimate training through a promotion in Southern California. From there, Nick and Matt remained focused on establishing themselves as a tag team first and foremost forgoing any ambition of becoming singles stars. The Jacksons write at length regarding their difficulties in getting attention from Vince McMahon’s WWE due to their size and boyish looks. They also dig into their frustrations working under promoters and writers who were always looking to split them up and move them away from tag team wrestling.
It wasn’t until they were on the verge of quitting wrestling altogether in 2011 that they changed their approach to the business itself and used the criticisms they frequently received as fuel for becoming intentionally obnoxious performers. If people believed they were disrespectful, put too much elaborate choreography in their matches, or overused certain moves and ideas, they decided they would lean harder into what many had considered their faults. This drastic change in attitude led to fans all over the world embracing them as favorites while also paying top dollar for truckloads of merchandise. This allowed Matt and Nick to create a career in wrestling that no longer required them to seek the approval of the biggest wrestling promotion in the world.
Before reading this book, I wouldn’t have considered myself knowledgeable when it came to the careers of Nick and Matt given that I hadn’t watched much wrestling outside of WWE until about maybe five years ago. It was interesting getting to learn the ups and downs of life on the modern-day independent scene as well as the massive success the two enjoyed while a part of New Japan Pro Wrestling throughout the 2010s. I would have liked more about the formation of AEW, but the promotion is still young, so there will be lots of time for that. While I’m more in favor of wrestlers waiting until their careers are either over or mostly winding down, Nick and Matt have been wrestling in some form or fashion for over twenty years and had a wealth of material to pull from allowing them to produce an engaging, yet brief, memoir.
The book spends considerable time on how they both came up in the business as self-taught backyard wrestling performers before receiving legitimate training through a promotion in Southern California. From there, Nick and Matt remained focused on establishing themselves as a tag team first and foremost forgoing any ambition of becoming singles stars. The Jacksons write at length regarding their difficulties in getting attention from Vince McMahon’s WWE due to their size and boyish looks. They also dig into their frustrations working under promoters and writers who were always looking to split them up and move them away from tag team wrestling.
It wasn’t until they were on the verge of quitting wrestling altogether in 2011 that they changed their approach to the business itself and used the criticisms they frequently received as fuel for becoming intentionally obnoxious performers. If people believed they were disrespectful, put too much elaborate choreography in their matches, or overused certain moves and ideas, they decided they would lean harder into what many had considered their faults. This drastic change in attitude led to fans all over the world embracing them as favorites while also paying top dollar for truckloads of merchandise. This allowed Matt and Nick to create a career in wrestling that no longer required them to seek the approval of the biggest wrestling promotion in the world.
Before reading this book, I wouldn’t have considered myself knowledgeable when it came to the careers of Nick and Matt given that I hadn’t watched much wrestling outside of WWE until about maybe five years ago. It was interesting getting to learn the ups and downs of life on the modern-day independent scene as well as the massive success the two enjoyed while a part of New Japan Pro Wrestling throughout the 2010s. I would have liked more about the formation of AEW, but the promotion is still young, so there will be lots of time for that. While I’m more in favor of wrestlers waiting until their careers are either over or mostly winding down, Nick and Matt have been wrestling in some form or fashion for over twenty years and had a wealth of material to pull from allowing them to produce an engaging, yet brief, memoir.
December 24, 2020
Gonna be honest— it reads like “we went here and were awesome” in succession for 300 pages. Not a lot in the way of real drama or juicy detail. Matt and Nick come off as likable people, but the book isn’t as interesting as you think their story would be.
December 23, 2020
Enjoyable read following the journey of professional wrestlers Matt and Nick Jackson, also known as the Young Bucks. It was lovely to learn more about both men, and to read about the trials and hardships of being young independent wrestlers trying to make a living doing what they love. I was already a fan, but after reading their book I've got a new appreciation for what they do and how hard they work.
I've watched wrestling on and off since i was a little girl, but it's wrestlers like the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega that got me watching again and that actually make it fun and new again.
I've watched wrestling on and off since i was a little girl, but it's wrestlers like the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega that got me watching again and that actually make it fun and new again.
January 21, 2021
I have been a wrestling fan since I was about 15. When AEW first started in 2019, I hopped on the train, and I have never left. I don't watch WWE anymore. AEW is all I need.
Before AEW, I was mildly aware of the Young Bucks, mostly because of the things they were doing in New Japan, and after discovering Being The Elite (which changed everything), I became a fan of Nick and Matt. They clearly love wrestling, but respect it too much to just lie down and take money, they wanted to do something different, to change the game. And I can definitely respect them for that.
This book is not that well written, and sometimes a little too descriptive, but at the same time I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Bucks evolve into who they are now. It's funny to think that just a few years ago, they were finding it hard to get by and working a 'normal' job to circumvent their incomes. Now they are EVPs and tag team champions of a company they helped form. It's been a massive ride for them, but they sure have deserved every second of success.
The parts I loved the most were seeing when and how they met their crew; Scorpio Sky, Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, Hangman Page, PAC. And then others like Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, Sami Zayn, Adam Cole, etc. So many of these guys all know each other, came up together, but all of them went on different paths. I enjoyed reading about how they became The Elite, and the road to 'All In.'
If anything the last few chapters were a bit rushed, and I would have loved to gain some more insight into what they were thinking and feeling when turning down a massive offer from WWE to go their own way. This was one hell of a story, but at the same time I would have liked to gain more of an insight into how the brothers actually felt about certain things. Like I said, sometimes there was a lot of description about what was happening, but not how it emotionally impacted these two young bucks.
Regardless, this was entertaining, and interesting. And there is more than enough room for a sequel.
Before AEW, I was mildly aware of the Young Bucks, mostly because of the things they were doing in New Japan, and after discovering Being The Elite (which changed everything), I became a fan of Nick and Matt. They clearly love wrestling, but respect it too much to just lie down and take money, they wanted to do something different, to change the game. And I can definitely respect them for that.
This book is not that well written, and sometimes a little too descriptive, but at the same time I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Bucks evolve into who they are now. It's funny to think that just a few years ago, they were finding it hard to get by and working a 'normal' job to circumvent their incomes. Now they are EVPs and tag team champions of a company they helped form. It's been a massive ride for them, but they sure have deserved every second of success.
The parts I loved the most were seeing when and how they met their crew; Scorpio Sky, Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, Hangman Page, PAC. And then others like Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, Sami Zayn, Adam Cole, etc. So many of these guys all know each other, came up together, but all of them went on different paths. I enjoyed reading about how they became The Elite, and the road to 'All In.'
If anything the last few chapters were a bit rushed, and I would have loved to gain some more insight into what they were thinking and feeling when turning down a massive offer from WWE to go their own way. This was one hell of a story, but at the same time I would have liked to gain more of an insight into how the brothers actually felt about certain things. Like I said, sometimes there was a lot of description about what was happening, but not how it emotionally impacted these two young bucks.
Regardless, this was entertaining, and interesting. And there is more than enough room for a sequel.
October 29, 2020
Killing the Business feels like a well-earned victory lap for Matt and Nick Jackson.
These are guys who carved out their own path in professional wrestling on their own terms by staying true to themselves. There’s a real lesson there that extends into the real world for anyone who is chasing a passion or creative goals.
I wish this book was longer and more detailed at points. Everyone who reads this knows the happy ending to come for the Bucks so I wish there was more time spent in the lows and the ins and outs of independent wrestling.
NOTE: I read an ARC.
PS - Would have been six stars if this was published in Japan
These are guys who carved out their own path in professional wrestling on their own terms by staying true to themselves. There’s a real lesson there that extends into the real world for anyone who is chasing a passion or creative goals.
I wish this book was longer and more detailed at points. Everyone who reads this knows the happy ending to come for the Bucks so I wish there was more time spent in the lows and the ins and outs of independent wrestling.
NOTE: I read an ARC.
PS - Would have been six stars if this was published in Japan
March 28, 2023
Very fun read! Especially if you are a wrestling fan you will enjoy this book. Too sweet!!!
April 7, 2021
As someone relatively new to wrestling and unaware of The Young Bucks I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the Jackson brothers and their persistent struggle and no-quit attitude towards turning their dreams into reality. The book is one big journey of how they started to wrestle in their backyard In Reseda to wrestling all over the world.
I never realized how hard wrestlers work. Sometimes basically wrecking their bodies night after night for little to no pay-off and promotion. Reading this makes you privy to some of the stuff that your average fan doesn’t know. It was also cool to learn wrestling terminology and just how AEW started. I mean what would've happened if Matt never returned Tony Khans call?
Reading about how they dedicated themselves to achieving their goals in life was fun and at times depressing. The chapters alternate between each brother so you can get a feel of their personalities. I also liked learning about the wrestlers they met in the circuit. Wrestlers we see on tv and who are actually very kind behind the scenes.
One thing I will say is there is a lot of hyperbole in this book and sometimes it can take away from their believability. I recommend reading a chapter at a time and not binging it, otherwise it can seem like excessive bragging in some chapters. It was fun though to read about a match and then look it up on YouTube to see if it really was as they described.
It’s impressive that they wrote this on their phones in between their busy schedules. The Young Bucks definitely have a lot of drive. Even for the people who can’t stand them you can’t deny how hard they have worked and practiced to get to where they are. If you are into wrestling and even if you are not, this is an entertaining read.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Dey Street Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.
I never realized how hard wrestlers work. Sometimes basically wrecking their bodies night after night for little to no pay-off and promotion. Reading this makes you privy to some of the stuff that your average fan doesn’t know. It was also cool to learn wrestling terminology and just how AEW started. I mean what would've happened if Matt never returned Tony Khans call?
Reading about how they dedicated themselves to achieving their goals in life was fun and at times depressing. The chapters alternate between each brother so you can get a feel of their personalities. I also liked learning about the wrestlers they met in the circuit. Wrestlers we see on tv and who are actually very kind behind the scenes.
One thing I will say is there is a lot of hyperbole in this book and sometimes it can take away from their believability. I recommend reading a chapter at a time and not binging it, otherwise it can seem like excessive bragging in some chapters. It was fun though to read about a match and then look it up on YouTube to see if it really was as they described.
It’s impressive that they wrote this on their phones in between their busy schedules. The Young Bucks definitely have a lot of drive. Even for the people who can’t stand them you can’t deny how hard they have worked and practiced to get to where they are. If you are into wrestling and even if you are not, this is an entertaining read.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Dey Street Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.
Read
November 20, 2020Thank you to Dey St. books for my review copy.
My 🗯:
So one fun fact about me is that I’m a big wrestling fan. I started watching as a kid and never looked back. Wrestling and reading are two “hobbies” that transitioned to adulthood. Even though I’m not a big reader of non fiction I will drop everything to read a wrestling memoir. So it was a no brainer I had to read this book.
I enjoyed reading this book as I have been following the Jackson’s for a few years and I watch AEW every Wednesday. They seem to be very family oriented which I know has to be hard when they are away a lot. I do respect their hustle and how they made a name for themselves without ever making it to WWE.
Most of the wrestlers I know and some are new to me and it was nice getting more info on the indie wrestling scene. Overall this was an enjoyable memoir and if you’re a fan of wrestling be sure to add this one to your list!
My 🗯:
So one fun fact about me is that I’m a big wrestling fan. I started watching as a kid and never looked back. Wrestling and reading are two “hobbies” that transitioned to adulthood. Even though I’m not a big reader of non fiction I will drop everything to read a wrestling memoir. So it was a no brainer I had to read this book.
I enjoyed reading this book as I have been following the Jackson’s for a few years and I watch AEW every Wednesday. They seem to be very family oriented which I know has to be hard when they are away a lot. I do respect their hustle and how they made a name for themselves without ever making it to WWE.
Most of the wrestlers I know and some are new to me and it was nice getting more info on the indie wrestling scene. Overall this was an enjoyable memoir and if you’re a fan of wrestling be sure to add this one to your list!
December 9, 2020
5 stars since I‘m biased af and I absolutely love The Young Bucks.
But in all seriousness this book is a delight!
It was quite a rollercoaster of emotions and I almost felt their anxiety in the difficult parts if their lives when they were struggling hard, but at the end it left me all happy and fuzzy inside!
But in all seriousness this book is a delight!
It was quite a rollercoaster of emotions and I almost felt their anxiety in the difficult parts if their lives when they were struggling hard, but at the end it left me all happy and fuzzy inside!
April 15, 2024
The Young Bucks are my favourite ever tag team, and 'from backyards to the big leagues' is a great subtitle for this book. Genuinely; their loving parents' supporting their backyard ambitions started a Domino effect that completely changed the wrestling industry for the better.
But with all that said, I didnt find this to be especially interesting. There's charm, particularly in their tales of backyarding and teenage romance but it all feels somewhat rushed. Things are breezed past that you would expect more of; in particular it feels like there are maybe three stories of any real note about PWG in here. They talk about it in effusive terms but don't really get into the weeds on why it was so good, or what they did there. A good example is the infamous DDT4 2009 match where the crowd turned on them -- and subsequently they turned on the crowd -- there is no meaningful writing about the two years prior to this match where they made their name in the company.
The book shines when the brothers are talking earnestly about the tough times wrestling presents; they really shine a light on the terrible money offered to aspiring wrestlers.
But with all that said, I didnt find this to be especially interesting. There's charm, particularly in their tales of backyarding and teenage romance but it all feels somewhat rushed. Things are breezed past that you would expect more of; in particular it feels like there are maybe three stories of any real note about PWG in here. They talk about it in effusive terms but don't really get into the weeds on why it was so good, or what they did there. A good example is the infamous DDT4 2009 match where the crowd turned on them -- and subsequently they turned on the crowd -- there is no meaningful writing about the two years prior to this match where they made their name in the company.
The book shines when the brothers are talking earnestly about the tough times wrestling presents; they really shine a light on the terrible money offered to aspiring wrestlers.
September 13, 2024
I still remember the tremendous anticipation for 'All In' back in 2018.
Every day leading up to it filled me with an increasing hunger for professional wrestling that I hadn't had in years.
With the WWE on the steady decline (if not financially, then atleast in the minds of their most ardent fans) thanks in part to terrible booking, lack of any real stars and an absolute oversaturation of wrestling content that focused on more quantity and less quality - the wrestling revolution sparked by the Elite and Tony Khan was something the business sorely needed.
We needed a revolution. And the wrestling Gods answered our prayers.
Fast forward to 2 years later, and All Elite Wrestling is without a doubt the premier wrestling show on the planet (although some credit goes to NJPW for bungling up their product in 2020).
With a talented roster ranging from WWE vets like Moxley and Jericho, to rapidly rising homegrown stars like MJF, Jungle Boy and Darby Allin - AEW is the place to go for any wrestling fan who doesn't want their intelligence insulted, yet rather satiated, through fantastic booking and wrestling.
This may seem like a digression - but in many ways, what I'm talking about is essentially the culmination for the arduous journey Matt and Nick Jackson go through in the decades leading up to the creation of 'All Elite Wrestling'.
In this day and age where even the best wrestlers are content with picking up WWE's fat paycheck (heck, I'd do it too), the Bucks went against the grain and took a path that no wrestler would even fathom - creating a wrestling company of their own with Tony Khan at the helm, and good friends (i.e, Omega, Cody, Page amongst others) by their side.
This is a story of how a small group of wrestlers taking the road less travelled, along with the ardent support of their fanbase, would result in one of the best weekly episodic wrestling TV shows.
My heart is overflowing with an unbridled ocean of respect for these two men after reading this book - I still own an OG Young Bucks Bullet Club tee that I put on whenever I watch major AEW PPV's, as a sign of my support. I gobbled this book up in 2 days -as a sign of my support.
The Bucks (more specifically, the Elite) have something the WWE doesn't - and that is the unwavering loyalty of their fans. Together, I - along with every other real professional wrestling fan out there - are going to make sure that your efforts don't go wasted.
We're gonna stick by AEW, not blindly, but because you guys are doing something meaningful for the business - something that can make a huge change in the years to come.
No other way to do it - but to go all in.
PS: Looking forward to attend an AE-dub show live before I hit my 30's.
Every day leading up to it filled me with an increasing hunger for professional wrestling that I hadn't had in years.
With the WWE on the steady decline (if not financially, then atleast in the minds of their most ardent fans) thanks in part to terrible booking, lack of any real stars and an absolute oversaturation of wrestling content that focused on more quantity and less quality - the wrestling revolution sparked by the Elite and Tony Khan was something the business sorely needed.
We needed a revolution. And the wrestling Gods answered our prayers.
Fast forward to 2 years later, and All Elite Wrestling is without a doubt the premier wrestling show on the planet (although some credit goes to NJPW for bungling up their product in 2020).
With a talented roster ranging from WWE vets like Moxley and Jericho, to rapidly rising homegrown stars like MJF, Jungle Boy and Darby Allin - AEW is the place to go for any wrestling fan who doesn't want their intelligence insulted, yet rather satiated, through fantastic booking and wrestling.
This may seem like a digression - but in many ways, what I'm talking about is essentially the culmination for the arduous journey Matt and Nick Jackson go through in the decades leading up to the creation of 'All Elite Wrestling'.
In this day and age where even the best wrestlers are content with picking up WWE's fat paycheck (heck, I'd do it too), the Bucks went against the grain and took a path that no wrestler would even fathom - creating a wrestling company of their own with Tony Khan at the helm, and good friends (i.e, Omega, Cody, Page amongst others) by their side.
This is a story of how a small group of wrestlers taking the road less travelled, along with the ardent support of their fanbase, would result in one of the best weekly episodic wrestling TV shows.
My heart is overflowing with an unbridled ocean of respect for these two men after reading this book - I still own an OG Young Bucks Bullet Club tee that I put on whenever I watch major AEW PPV's, as a sign of my support. I gobbled this book up in 2 days -as a sign of my support.
The Bucks (more specifically, the Elite) have something the WWE doesn't - and that is the unwavering loyalty of their fans. Together, I - along with every other real professional wrestling fan out there - are going to make sure that your efforts don't go wasted.
We're gonna stick by AEW, not blindly, but because you guys are doing something meaningful for the business - something that can make a huge change in the years to come.
No other way to do it - but to go all in.
PS: Looking forward to attend an AE-dub show live before I hit my 30's.
November 21, 2020
Killing The Business is the story of the Bucks Of Youth, those two spot monkeys that you either love or hate. The thing is. there's no denying their influence on the prowrestling world. There was a time when you needed the WWE to make your career, but then the Bucks came along and through hard work, dedication, and marketing, they proved that you could be successfult without the big machine. Even if you're not a fan it's an interesting biook and one that follows the career of Matt and Nick right up until the moment they meet TOny Khan and once again made history by being a part of AEW. It's an interesting read that at times becomes egoristical, but it's expected but under the ego is the reality that none of their success would have been possible without the wrestling fans. They're the people who followed the Bucks through TNA and beyond. While there isn't a lot of dirt here, it's still a good read. Matt and Nick wrote the book themselves on their Iphones without a ghost writer which is impressive and doesn't suffer from filler. It follows their career from the backyards to the big leagues while showing just how much of an impact they've made in wrestling. It's a great read that doesn't have the usual fall from grace that most bios do, but as they begin to reach the end of their ROH run there's a few surprises here. The Young Bucks are both reviled and respected but one thing you can't denyi is how successful they are. They built their brand and believed in themselves and it paid off. While they may be spot momkeys, there's no denying their influence on the world of wrestling.
October 15, 2021
If you are a wrestling fan I think this book is quite easy and enjoyable to read and follow the events that happened to Matt and Nick. If you are not I still think there is a lot of good things to get from this book.
It's a story about their journey. from birth to become one of the best tag teams in wrestling business history. You will find how hard it was for them, mostly mentally from a money and family standpoint. What drove them to keep going, and how did they manage to become the world best without no1 company.
As a wrestling fan, I got so much. From the information that I didn't know or just relive the part I knew. An easy recommendation to any and every wrestling fan.
It's a story about their journey. from birth to become one of the best tag teams in wrestling business history. You will find how hard it was for them, mostly mentally from a money and family standpoint. What drove them to keep going, and how did they manage to become the world best without no1 company.
As a wrestling fan, I got so much. From the information that I didn't know or just relive the part I knew. An easy recommendation to any and every wrestling fan.
August 22, 2022
Fascinating journey, probably the most complete pro wrestling memoir I’ve read (Chris Jericho wrote his first one like this, but the story continued into a second, and third, book, whereas this one covers similar territory in one, and of course Mick Foley’s, which started the modern trend, though by the time he reaches WWE he just wrote what fans already knew, and kept it kayfabe). The incredible sequence of events that led to AEW is fresh enough that it still feels like yesterday, but also comes with nostalgia. The Massie brothers are also incredibly candid about how difficult their journey was, but also their fortunate upbringing, even if it didn’t always seem that way, that helped pave the way for their later success. Whereas Mox was written almost entirely through ego, it’s tough not to find people, in Killing the Business, you couldn’t easily see as friends, if you ever had the chance. And to be their friends…!
January 9, 2021
I have been a professional wrestling fan my entire life. For a while, that was a taboo thing to announce out loud. When I was young, you could only watch it once a week at midnight on Saturday’s. Then, Hulk Hogan came along and made the industry cool and things just exploded. Since the days of Hulkamania, things have tailed off a bit and in recent years your only choice was watching the over-saturated WWE or, if you were fortunate, several of the great independent professional leagues out there who are able to mix old school wrestling with high-flying and risk-taking on a nightly basis.
One of the major success stories to come out of the independent ranks to become global sensations are Matt and Nick Massie --- better known as Matt and Nick Jackson or The Young Bucks. They are possibly the greatest, most exciting tag-team I have ever seen and their current release YOUNG BUCKS: KILLING THE BUSINESS just may be the most insightful and enjoyable wrestling book I have read to date. The Prologue finds the Young Bucks along with their best friend in the wrestling business, Kenny Omega, seeing their current wrestling contracts with Ring Of Honor about to expire and pondering their next move. This book will end with the big reveal of what that move ends up being --- one that has changed the face of professional wrestling probably permanently.
Matt and Nick share storytelling here and every other chapter is told from one of their points of view. However, it is done so expertly --- a tribute to the editing --- that the narrative is seamless. We learn about their start in Southern California and their lower middle-class upbringing in a loving, Christian household that supported their love of wrestling from their childhood. A lot of young people like to emulate their wrestling heroes, Matt and Nick built their own ring along with their father in the backyard of their home. After-school, their house was the most popular one in the neighborhood and their passion for professional wrestling turned into their own ‘league’ --- the BYWA or Backyard Wrestling Association. What started out small actually grew into another independent wrestling promotion that eventually attracted some outside professional wrestling talent.
Matt talks about the only girl he had time for outside of wrestling --- Dana --- who he ended up marrying and starting a family with. It is encouraging to see how both Bucks have positive, loving family lives that mean everything to them. They clearly put their families first when it comes to every decision they made during their careers. Throughout the entire book there is enough name-dropping to make this a who’s-who of the current wrestling world. What I enjoyed most is how they humanized them all and allowed us to see behind the curtain at these very real and dedicated professionals who give their all for their fan’s entertainment.
A real touching part of the book is when Matt must talk a fellow wrestler down from a suicidal moment. Regrettably, the wrestler in question named Chris Kanyon did end up taking his own life a few years after that incident as he battled demons brought on by the fact that he was an admittedly gay wrestler. The Young Bucks grew quickly from the backyard wrestling ranks and enjoyed success with TNA/Impact Wrestling as well as Ring Of Honor. Perhaps the one move that really gave them wider appeal and respect was when they travelled to Japan to wrestle with the highly competitive New Japan Wrestling promotion. They made some lifelong friendships and connections here that included Kenny Omega and later Cody Rhodes and Adam Page --- the group that would become the cornerstone of their own wrestling promotion. When the Young Bucks became part of the immensely popular stable of heels known as the Bullet Club, they really took off on a global scale.
Matt and Nick revolutionized self-promotion throughout their career and continue to do so. Their t-shirt sales often rank with the top wrestling merchandise in the business. They knew they finally made it in 2018 when Funko put out dolls of the Young Bucks along Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes. All of this paved the way for the life-changing phone call Matt took from a man named Tony Khan --- co-owner of both the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars and a British Futbol Club in the U.K. Tony’s dream and the Young Bucks ‘dreams were in sync and their initial discussions turned into what is now known as AEW or All Elite Wrestling, which they helped form along with good friends Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, and Adam Page. All the years I have devoted to watching professional wrestling did not prepare me for this promotion. Every single move they have made has been a home run. The entire promotion is a mix of long-time wrestling favorites as well as some of the top young stars and independent talent on the circuit, many of whom could have never gotten the exposure they are receiving from AEW. It is a wrestling league where you can tell everyone likes each other and they are doing things the right way and treating everyone involved with a level of respect usually not seen in the profession.
What I enjoyed most about this book, and there is much to enjoy here, is how Matt and Nick spell out all the choices they made along the way and analyzing how any of them could have led them down a completely different path. Many people say everything happens for a reason and this is self-evident throughout this book. That is a refreshing look at life and really allows the reader to step into their shoes and experience what is happening to them every step of the way. Not to be missed by any true wrestling fan and I defy you not to want to throw a super-kick at someone after reading it!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
One of the major success stories to come out of the independent ranks to become global sensations are Matt and Nick Massie --- better known as Matt and Nick Jackson or The Young Bucks. They are possibly the greatest, most exciting tag-team I have ever seen and their current release YOUNG BUCKS: KILLING THE BUSINESS just may be the most insightful and enjoyable wrestling book I have read to date. The Prologue finds the Young Bucks along with their best friend in the wrestling business, Kenny Omega, seeing their current wrestling contracts with Ring Of Honor about to expire and pondering their next move. This book will end with the big reveal of what that move ends up being --- one that has changed the face of professional wrestling probably permanently.
Matt and Nick share storytelling here and every other chapter is told from one of their points of view. However, it is done so expertly --- a tribute to the editing --- that the narrative is seamless. We learn about their start in Southern California and their lower middle-class upbringing in a loving, Christian household that supported their love of wrestling from their childhood. A lot of young people like to emulate their wrestling heroes, Matt and Nick built their own ring along with their father in the backyard of their home. After-school, their house was the most popular one in the neighborhood and their passion for professional wrestling turned into their own ‘league’ --- the BYWA or Backyard Wrestling Association. What started out small actually grew into another independent wrestling promotion that eventually attracted some outside professional wrestling talent.
Matt talks about the only girl he had time for outside of wrestling --- Dana --- who he ended up marrying and starting a family with. It is encouraging to see how both Bucks have positive, loving family lives that mean everything to them. They clearly put their families first when it comes to every decision they made during their careers. Throughout the entire book there is enough name-dropping to make this a who’s-who of the current wrestling world. What I enjoyed most is how they humanized them all and allowed us to see behind the curtain at these very real and dedicated professionals who give their all for their fan’s entertainment.
A real touching part of the book is when Matt must talk a fellow wrestler down from a suicidal moment. Regrettably, the wrestler in question named Chris Kanyon did end up taking his own life a few years after that incident as he battled demons brought on by the fact that he was an admittedly gay wrestler. The Young Bucks grew quickly from the backyard wrestling ranks and enjoyed success with TNA/Impact Wrestling as well as Ring Of Honor. Perhaps the one move that really gave them wider appeal and respect was when they travelled to Japan to wrestle with the highly competitive New Japan Wrestling promotion. They made some lifelong friendships and connections here that included Kenny Omega and later Cody Rhodes and Adam Page --- the group that would become the cornerstone of their own wrestling promotion. When the Young Bucks became part of the immensely popular stable of heels known as the Bullet Club, they really took off on a global scale.
Matt and Nick revolutionized self-promotion throughout their career and continue to do so. Their t-shirt sales often rank with the top wrestling merchandise in the business. They knew they finally made it in 2018 when Funko put out dolls of the Young Bucks along Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes. All of this paved the way for the life-changing phone call Matt took from a man named Tony Khan --- co-owner of both the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars and a British Futbol Club in the U.K. Tony’s dream and the Young Bucks ‘dreams were in sync and their initial discussions turned into what is now known as AEW or All Elite Wrestling, which they helped form along with good friends Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, and Adam Page. All the years I have devoted to watching professional wrestling did not prepare me for this promotion. Every single move they have made has been a home run. The entire promotion is a mix of long-time wrestling favorites as well as some of the top young stars and independent talent on the circuit, many of whom could have never gotten the exposure they are receiving from AEW. It is a wrestling league where you can tell everyone likes each other and they are doing things the right way and treating everyone involved with a level of respect usually not seen in the profession.
What I enjoyed most about this book, and there is much to enjoy here, is how Matt and Nick spell out all the choices they made along the way and analyzing how any of them could have led them down a completely different path. Many people say everything happens for a reason and this is self-evident throughout this book. That is a refreshing look at life and really allows the reader to step into their shoes and experience what is happening to them every step of the way. Not to be missed by any true wrestling fan and I defy you not to want to throw a super-kick at someone after reading it!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
December 5, 2021
If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. A must read for every wrestling fan, die hard or casual. Such an amazing ‘how we became and what it takes to stay pro wrestlers’ account from one of the greatest tag teams of all time. I will definitely be rereading this.
March 25, 2022
A tremendous read. This was a fast, entertaining and engaging book about the lives and careers of AEW performers The Young Bucks.
September 25, 2022
Absolutely incredible book, it made me laugh out loud and also made me cry
January 9, 2024
As a wrestling fan in general and an AEW fan in particular, it was refreshing to hear from the ppl who lived the events that I enjoyed watching! I could not put this book down! It was an incredible story.
December 1, 2020
Pretty much everything you would want in a Young Bucks book about their pre-AEW days. Lots of new information that I don’t think has ever been released too about their negotiations with WWE and Tony Khan’s pitch. Also loved learning that the house they grew up in was haunted.
December 1, 2020
MAYBE 4.5 stars simply because the narrator mispronounced a few things, but forgiving that this was excellent and highly recommended to any wrestling fan.
January 25, 2024
Good book. I knew nothing of there background so was all new and entertaining for me. If you already know the ins and outs of there history probs could give it a skip but if your after a good wrestling book pick it up.
July 7, 2024
Wild this ends at the founding of AEW. Fellas, you gotta write another one! A lot has happened!
January 6, 2022
This is a bit of a rags to riches tale, if by rags I meant "a loving Christian household with a splash of backyard wrestling" and if by riches I meant "running an independent wrestling empire with the son of a billionaire".
I'm assuming anyone who stumbles across this review is familiar with brothers Matt & Nick Jackson, aka the Young Bucks. As a casual AEW fan, they won me over in no time with their flashy ring gear, funny vlogs and over the top personalities. This book shows a different side, such as the brothers struggling to pay bills and support their families through their wrestling and experiencing culture shock on their first visit to Japan. It's inspiring to see the drive and DIY ethics that launched the Young Bucks to the place they are now.
Again speaking as a casual fan, I appreciated that all the wrestling jargon was explained. There's no assumptions here that the reader knows what a, say, moonsault is or even what "blading" refers to.
There's not much dirt, so to speak, as by their account they seem to be a pretty squeaky clean duo. There are some interesting self reflections throughout and acknowledgements of the times they acted like.. I mean "assholes" is the correct word. There's a little backstage drama but nothing earth shattering.
Good addition to the bookshelf of a wrestling fan.
I'm assuming anyone who stumbles across this review is familiar with brothers Matt & Nick Jackson, aka the Young Bucks. As a casual AEW fan, they won me over in no time with their flashy ring gear, funny vlogs and over the top personalities. This book shows a different side, such as the brothers struggling to pay bills and support their families through their wrestling and experiencing culture shock on their first visit to Japan. It's inspiring to see the drive and DIY ethics that launched the Young Bucks to the place they are now.
Again speaking as a casual fan, I appreciated that all the wrestling jargon was explained. There's no assumptions here that the reader knows what a, say, moonsault is or even what "blading" refers to.
There's not much dirt, so to speak, as by their account they seem to be a pretty squeaky clean duo. There are some interesting self reflections throughout and acknowledgements of the times they acted like.. I mean "assholes" is the correct word. There's a little backstage drama but nothing earth shattering.
Good addition to the bookshelf of a wrestling fan.
January 13, 2024
Three stars for lore. If you're gonna use a ghostwriter, I wish people would choose good ones.
November 27, 2020
This was really good in an inspirational way. I love these guys, and I’ve been supporting them for a minute because I believe in them and all the times they’ve rebelled and gone against what they were supposed to do. Massive amount of respect. I like how the chapters are presented as tags in and out between the brothers, too.
The writing style is not the greatest, but this is their first book, and the content more than makes up for it.
The writing style is not the greatest, but this is their first book, and the content more than makes up for it.
November 25, 2020
Easy to go through. They're confident in their skills but very sincere. I enjoy their work and this book is included.
March 3, 2021
A very good read and insight into the area of professional wrestling we know little about, the indies. I’ve always been a WWE fan, never watched indies, was always narrow minded and ‘brainwashed’ by WWE. But in the last year or so, I’ve finally started to broaden my horizons. Mainly because of AEW. Most of those guys and girls I’d never, ever seen wrestle, or even heard of. I’d heard a buzz about The Young Bucks for years, but never bothered.
Now I’ve watched them for the last couple years, I fully understand and appreciate that hype. Kills me I was so stupid to miss out of years of greatness with them and Bullet Club. This book really tells their story from the backyards to the big stage, it’s uplifting and inspiring to see what they made for themselves. From merch to running a wrestling promotion, it’s beyond anything they could have imagined.
I love their stories and honesty throughout the book, it’s great to get a serious behind the scenes look at indies, NJPW and the startup of AEW. They don’t hold back with their thoughts, feelings and love for what they do, professional wrestling. The family love comes through huge in this book and it’s clear how much family means to them. This a great wrestling book and a real page-turner. Fully recommended.
Now I’ve watched them for the last couple years, I fully understand and appreciate that hype. Kills me I was so stupid to miss out of years of greatness with them and Bullet Club. This book really tells their story from the backyards to the big stage, it’s uplifting and inspiring to see what they made for themselves. From merch to running a wrestling promotion, it’s beyond anything they could have imagined.
I love their stories and honesty throughout the book, it’s great to get a serious behind the scenes look at indies, NJPW and the startup of AEW. They don’t hold back with their thoughts, feelings and love for what they do, professional wrestling. The family love comes through huge in this book and it’s clear how much family means to them. This a great wrestling book and a real page-turner. Fully recommended.
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