Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big Leagues

Matt Jackson · Nick Jackson

Nov 2020 · HarperCollins

About this ebook

The electric and daring independent wrestling tag team share their inspiring story of how two undersized, ambitious athletes from Southern California became the idols of millions of popular sports fans, coveted among the ranks of AEW’s elite wrestling lineup. 

Featuring over 60 photographs and alternating between each brother’s perspective, 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.

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.

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.

Told with the brothers’ signature wit and charm, Young Bucks is warm, heartfelt story of hope, perseverance, and undying ambition.

Ratings and reviews

As a long time fan of wrestling and learning about how things work in the business in a fans perspective, I really enjoyed being enlightened by these two back and forth telling their story through literally the backyard and all the way to the top. absolute fantastic read for anyone, but especially for the die hard wrestling fans. this is honestly one of my favorite books ever. I know I'm totally nerding out here big time, but I too have followed wrestling since I was 5 years old and now being 40, they have instilled my love further for wrestling. I wish this book would have been around twenty years ago cause it is so motivating and making me question my career path I chose as a underground miner. Should have tried professional wrestling. I digress, please if you enjoy wrestling just get this book and read it. You'll absolutely love it. Thank you Matt and Nick!

This is really good. It's written by both Matt and Nick, so you get two different perspectives as they grow up and fall in love with pro wrestling. Great read.

what a fantastic read. the dual perspectives of Matt and Nick really help you to feel what each of them is feeling. very humble funny and insightful. I would highly recommend this to anyone, wrestling fan or not. The Young Bucks are two true American originals and a helluva success story.