On Wednesday’s episode of “AEW Dynamite,” Matthew and Nicholas Jackson returned to AEW programming, but they didn’t have their nice-pressed suits, sunglasses, or “You Leave Us No Choice” theme. When we were introduced to The Young Bucks as they appeared to assist “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry on Wednesday, we were met with nostalgic tassels, wide smiles, and a match that reminded us just why we fell in love with The Young Bucks in the first place.

Full transparency: I’m an enjoyer of flippy wrestling. So, when the lithe Perry and Bucks took to the ring to lay waste to Ricochet and the Gates of Agony through fanciful flips, ornate jumps, and electrifying springboard moves, I knew I was in for a fun night. I struggle to pinpoint a match highlight: everything was consistently engaging, from the beginning of the bell to the final one, two, three. Ricochet, Perry, and the Bucks made great use of the ropes to mad scientist some moves together, with the Destroyer off the ropes being a memorable moment that will be replayed long after the night is over, for sure. Perry and the Bucks went absolutely hog wild on Ricochet, and Ricochet, for his part, ate and sold a considerable amount of offense, all to put over Perry and the returning Bucks. I’m surprised Ricochet took as many blows as he did, considering his status as the AEW National Champion, and I’m even more impressed with how consistently great the selling was. I may think his bald head is the biggest cornball to grace AEW, but I have to give him credit where credit is due: Ricochet took so much to put his colleagues over.

Toa Liona was a very pleasant surprise. I was never a Toa Liona girl; I didn’t follow him before his alliance with Ricochet, and within The Demand, I always saw him as a third wheel to Ricochet and Bishop Kaun. However, his strong, stalwart offense proved to be a great balance to the insane flips and tricks Ricochet, Perry, and the Bucks pulled out. That Triple Samoan Drop onto Perry and The Bucks was impactful in its short lifespan. The fact that it took over three Superkicks to drop Liona was a great move that kept Liona looking strong while also putting Perry and the Bucks over. Liona was the match’s unsung hero: unmoving and firm in the breakneck speed of his compatriots.

Bringing back the Bucks as faces was the right call, and this incredible match only embellished their appeal. This was a quintessential AEW bout, with crowd-pleasing pops, incredible action, and a few too many kickouts. It was, however, followed by a quintessential AEW ending…

Written by Angeline Phu