The Young Bucks Reveal Why They Didn't Work NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17

The recent Wrestle Kingdom 17 event on January 4 saw Kenny Omega make a triumphant return to NJPW, defeating Will Ospreay for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Title in an early MOTY candidate.

What was notable about Omega’s return is that he was flying solo at Wrestle Kingdom, without The Young Bucks flanking him at ringside, such as during their historic run as part of Bullet Club. Now during an interview with Sports Illustrated, The Bucks themselves revealed they had the opportunity to work Wrestle Kingdom:

“We were actually asked to wrestle and be in Kenny’s corner,” said Nick Jackson. “But Matt and I had vacation plans that week. Maybe next year. Who knows?”

“We got a fantastic offer,” added Matt Jackson. “Personally, the timing and the situation didn’t fit for us. I’m sure one day you’ll see us back in a NJPW ring.”

The Young Bucks technically wrestled as part of a New Japan show during the historic Forbidden Door event in June 2022, but it was in an AEW ring. The last match the Jacksons officially wrestled for New Japan was at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in 2019, where The Bucks were unsuccessful as they lost a three-way IWGP Tag Team Title match against Guerrillas of Destiny, and winners LIJ.