Blood & Guts Match Stirs Emotions for The Young Bucks

One big thing: The Young Bucks wrestled Mark Briscoe for the first time since Jay Briscoe’s passing

The July 24 AEW Dynamite Blood & Guts match brought a wave of emotions for The Young Bucks as they faced Mark Briscoe, their long-time rival and friend.

• Team AEW (including Mark Briscoe) defeated The Elite in the Blood & Guts match
• It was the first time The Young Bucks wrestled Mark since signing with AEW/ROH
• The Briscoes and Young Bucks had a long-standing rivalry from their ROH days

What they’re saying:

• Nicholas Jackson: “When he was hitting those Jay Drillers on all of us, I knew Jay was smiling. I was feeling pain by then, but I still kind of smiled a bit during that moment.”

• Matthew Jackson: “Wrestling Mark, it was like old times. It brought back so many memories of years past.”

Why it matters:

The match served as a poignant reminder of the Briscoes’ impact on professional wrestling and the close relationships formed in the industry. It highlighted the emotional weight wrestlers carry in the ring, especially when performing with or honoring departed colleagues.

By the numbers:

• The Young Bucks and Briscoes have faced each other in over 30 matches since 2007
• This was the 4th Blood & Guts match in AEW history

The bottom line:

The Blood & Guts match went beyond just physical competition, becoming a moment of remembrance and celebration for Jay Briscoe’s legacy in professional wrestling.

How do you think this emotional connection between wrestlers impacts the audience’s experience of a match? Share your thoughts in the comments below.