Opinion

Starr: Unpopular Theory on The Young Bucks in AEW

Tommy Starr isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions, and today that centers around The Young Bucks and their value to AEW.

Published

4 years ago

September 22, 2021

Tommy Starr

Tommy Starr isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions, and today that centers around The Young Bucks and their value to AEW.

We have heard podcasts and videos and have read plenty of articles regarding the “polarizing” nature of The Young Bucks. In many aspects, they are the quintessential models for what many individuals refer into the business today as a “split audience” opinion; people either unconditionally love them or vehemently despise them. There may be some fans along that spectrum that fall somewhere within those two extremes, but generally the passionate fans are the ones that make their voices known on the “love vs. hate” debate of The Young Bucks.

I have always seen The Young Bucks for what they truly represent to the wrestling business; they are a niche brand with a niche audience. Both Nick and Matt Jackson are on record discussing the nature of their polarization and the fact that they WANT to be seen as polarizing (see their interview with USA Today from 2017). They are not concerned with appealing to casual, mainstream wrestling fans or expanding their brand beyond its current cabal. They do not want to acknowledge those who deride their ring style or personas in order to win over their cynics. From their standpoint, they have reached a comfortable level of complacency and find it more productive to cut all ties with those that have differing opinions of how professional wrestling should be viewed and conducted. It is actually very reflective of where we are as a society today: shame and block any and all form of rational conversation as opposed to having open debate and discussion with those that have differing opinions than we do.

As we look at the current AEW environment in 2021, and we analyze the direction of their company, both from a business and talent pool perspective, the landscape is very different from the primal incarnation of the company. AEW is assembling more recognizable names from WWE, the roster continues to grow exponentially in terms of size and depth, they have expanded to a second weekly television show to better balance their content, they continue to cross-promote with other organizations, particularly Impact Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance, and above all else, we are beginning to see a certain number of those initial talent signings fall to the back-burner (Sonny Kiss, Joey Janela, Chuck Taylor, Private Party, Riho, Hikaru Shida, Nyla Rose, etc). And these are just a subset of talents that have been heavily deemphasized just within the last two years, mostly by nature of the fact that their “value” and “worth” to the company is very different in 2021 than it was in 2019.

Putting this in perspective with The Young Bucks in 2021, we need to call into question what their ultimate value is to the company– not just at this moment, but potentially two to three years down the line. In many aspects, AEW’s growth in terms of television ratings and weekly viewership is beginning to reach its peak level at somewhere around one million viewers, give or take. The Buck’s contribution to those ratings can be argued, but more or less, the intrigue and buzz around AEW in the last couple of months centers around the recent acquisitions of CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, and other potential talents that are at the tail end of their WWE contracts. From a creative and booking point of view, The Bucks’ value is generally immaterial; fans are watching AEW regardless of whether or not The Bucks wrestle or work angles on television. While their segments typically do not decrease viewership, their segments statistically are not gaining viewership either (and if they do, they are usually playing background roles). As executive vice presidents, their business input may carry value in the short-term, but for anyone that has run a business or knows people in executive positions of businesses in media entertainment, the turnover rate for those positions are usually high (average- 11.4%).

So what happens in two or three years when AEW’s talent pool reaches a level where The Young Bucks are rendered inefficacious on the programming? What happens if they decide to step down as executives due to company disagreements or long-term vision disputes? At the moment, they may serve value for merchandising, and there will always be that niche fan base that goes out of their way to support them; the problem is that, according to ShopAEW.com, The Young Bucks are not currently ranked in the top merchandise sellers for the company. Among the list of names of top sellers are CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, Orange Cassidy, Chris Jericho, Adam Cole, Brodie Lee, and even Kenny Omega. And with AEW’s continual efforts to sign more recognizable stars, particularly from WWE, The Young Bucks are going to continue swimming upstream in the merchandise department.

Bringing this theory to closure, the sad fact is that it is a discussion that a lot of AEW fans will refuse to have, but need to have. While the niche audience sees the value of The Young Bucks to the overall growth and development of the product, the facts seem to indicate otherwise. They are not mainstream attractions, they are not paramount to the current booking and creative direction, they neither escalate nor de-escalate television viewership, and from a marketability and merchandise standpoint, their single greatest attribute is currently being overshadowed by the larger name stars in the business.

Bluntly put, we need to ask a simple question, “If The Young Bucks left AEW today, how badly would it hurt the overall product?” It is important to recognize that this is not a “hate piece” on The Young Bucks, but rather an attempt to direct wrestling fans’ attention to a bigger picture about their true worth to All Elite Wrestling’s long-term success.

Sources:

Barnett, J. (2017, March 31). ‘Self made’ Young Bucks build a ‘polarizing’ brand on their own. USA Today. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/03/31/young-bucks-matt-nick-jackson-westelmania-wwe/99826416/.

Petrone, P. (2018, March 19). See the industries with the highest turnover (and why it’s so high). LinkedIn. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.linkedin.com/business/learning/blog/learner-engagement/see-the-industries-with-the-highest-turnover-and-why-it-s-so-hi.

Raghuwanshi, M. (2021, September 17). Complete aew dynamite tv ratings & viewership(us). ITN WWE. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.itnwwe.com/wrestling/aew-ratings-viewership/#aew-dynamite-tv-ratings–viewership-2021.

Top sellers for the year. Top Sellers – Year. (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.shopaew.com/topsellers/all.

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Related Topics:AEW Dynamite Featured Featured Big Young Bucks

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1