In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, The Young Bucks weighed in on Cody Rhodes’ departure from AEW in 2022.
Cody left AEW for WWE, returning to the Endeavor-owned promotion at WrestleMania 38.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
Matt Jackson on their new heel characters: “In our eyes, we’re the good guys–trying to keep AEW on course with the mission statement of changing the world. We sparked the movement that created a revolution that birthed AEW. We were the fresh, young, disruptors who thought outside of the box and spat in the face of tradition. AEW is now a much different place than it was five years ago, but I think that same disruptive attitude is still there. So who better to lead the charge than the company’s own EVPs who sought out for that change originally, anyway? Sometimes you have to protect the thing you love the most, from people who don’t fit the image of what this is supposed to be. And I thought the $25 Amazon gift card to Tony Schiavone was a great way to extend the olive branch. My brother, who can be a bit of a hot head, had a quick quibble about something trivial, but we circled back and deescalated the situation.”
Matt Jackson on Cody’s departure: “AEW will always be our baby. It’s our life’s work. We sought out to change the world, and we did just that. We created a new workplace for so many deserving people. Tons of talented individuals received a spotlight that they may have not gotten otherwise. And several people’s careers were taken to new heights because of the sole existence of AEW. We’re proud of the things we accomplished with Cody and happy to see him rising to the occasion. We’re all rooting for each other.”
Nick Jackson on their friendship with Cody: “Cody is the face of the WWE now, and it’s cool to see because we always knew how much of a star he was. The founders of AEW will always have a lifetime bond with each other because we all know what we did for wrestling. We talk every week and in a weird way him leaving made us grow more as friends.”
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, The Young Bucks shared their thoughts on Cody Rhodes’ departure from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2022. Cody, who left AEW to return to WWE, made his comeback at WrestleMania 38. The Young Bucks, also known as Matt and Nick Jackson, discussed their new heel characters, their relationship with Cody, and the impact they believe AEW has had on the wrestling industry.
Matt Jackson expressed that in their eyes, they are the good guys who are dedicated to keeping AEW on track with its mission of changing the world. He emphasized that they were the fresh, young disruptors who challenged tradition and played a significant role in sparking the movement that led to the birth of AEW. Although AEW has evolved over the years, Matt believes that the same disruptive attitude still exists within the company. As the Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs) of AEW, they feel responsible for leading the charge and protecting the essence of what AEW represents. Matt also mentioned a gesture they made to extend an olive branch to Tony Schiavone, a $25 Amazon gift card, as a way to mend any conflicts that may have arisen.
When discussing Cody’s departure, Matt Jackson emphasized that AEW will always hold a special place in their hearts as it is their life’s work. They set out to change the world and create a new platform for deserving individuals in the wrestling industry. AEW provided opportunities for talented individuals to shine and propelled several careers to new heights. Despite Cody’s departure, Matt expressed pride in their accomplishments together and expressed support for Cody’s success in WWE.
Nick Jackson highlighted the friendship they share with Cody and acknowledged his current position as the face of WWE. He expressed admiration for Cody’s star power and stated that the founders of AEW have a lifelong bond due to their shared experiences and contributions to wrestling. Nick also mentioned that Cody’s departure, although initially challenging, ultimately strengthened their friendship and brought them closer together.
The interview with The Young Bucks provides insight into their perspective on Cody Rhodes’ departure from AEW. It showcases their commitment to AEW’s mission and their pride in the impact the company has had on the wrestling industry. Despite Cody’s move to WWE, the Young Bucks maintain a strong friendship with him and continue to support each other’s endeavors. As AEW continues to grow and evolve, it is clear that the Young Bucks remain dedicated to their vision of changing the world through professional wrestling.