Matt and Nick Jackson have always been at the center of conversation in AEW, but now they’re admitting that the backlash has actually fueled their creative direction. Instead of shying away from criticism, they’ve chosen to use it as a storytelling tool—and it’s paying off in the form of nuclear heat.
During their appearance on Yahoo Sports, the Young Bucks opened up about how embracing their roles as on-screen Executive Vice Presidents has added depth to their characters. Nick Jackson said they’ve leaned into the way fans and critics paint them behind the scenes.
“It really has been incredibly fun leaning in on all the things people accuse us of being.”
Matt Jackson revealed that in the early days of AEW, there was serious debate over whether publicly holding such a major position in the company would ruin their ability to be cheered. In the end, they weaponized it.
“I remember back in the beginning, arguing with someone that going public about having a major job title in the company is probably a bad idea if we want to be cheered ever again as wrestlers. So using it in this way all these years later has definitely made the most sense. It’s for sure helped us garner more heat, and given us a new tool to work with the last couple of years on screen. I think there’s so much left to explore too, shall we have that opportunity to do so.”
By turning the EVP stigma into an asset, the Bucks have found a fresh way to evolve their heel personas. Their willingness to blur the lines between real-life roles and wrestling theatrics continues to generate major fan reactions.
