For the first time in four years, The Young Bucks, Matt and Nick Jackson, are heading back to Japan, and they’re making their return on one of the grandest stages in professional wrestling. The AEW EVPs are set to compete at NJPW’s Wrestle Dynasty event at the iconic Tokyo Dome on January 5, with one goal in mind: reclaiming the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
The Bucks announced their intentions in a special video sent to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, with Nick Jackson declaring, “There’s one thing Matt and I need to accomplish before we retire, and that’s getting the IWGP Heavyweight Titles back around our waists one more time.” Matt chimed in with his trademark bravado, saying, “Tokyo, your rich god-fearing uncles are coming back. See you soon.”
A Complicated Road to Gold
The Young Bucks’ ambition to leave the Tokyo Dome as champions comes with one major wrinkle—they don’t yet know who they’ll face. Current IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions HENARE and Great-O-Khan are still competing in NJPW’s World Tag League tournament. If the champions fail to win the tournament themselves, they’ll defend the titles against the tournament winners at Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4. The victorious team from that bout will then face The Bucks at Wrestle Dynasty the following day.
This situation adds an air of unpredictability to an already stacked Wrestle Dynasty card.
Bucks’ History with IWGP Gold
The Young Bucks are no strangers to IWGP tag team success. In 2018, they captured the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships by defeating EVIL and SANADA at Dominion, cementing themselves as one of the most versatile teams in NJPW history. They are one of only two teams to have won both the IWGP Junior Heavyweight and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, a feat that underscores their legacy.
However, reclaiming those titles at this stage of their career could represent a final chapter in their storied NJPW run, a momentous achievement before they hang up their boots.
A Star-Studded Wrestle Dynasty Card
The Wrestle Dynasty event is shaping up to be an unforgettable night, with several high-profile matches already announced, including:
- Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd for the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship
- Shota Umino vs. Claudio Castagnoli
- Jack Perry vs. Yota Tsuji
- The International Women’s Tournament final
- Tomohiro Ishii vs. either Konosuke Takeshita or Shingo Takagi
- Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet
With the return of The Young Bucks and a stacked lineup of matches, Wrestle Dynasty promises to be a landmark event for NJPW and a treat for wrestling fans worldwide.
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