Huge update on The Young Bucks' future plans amid AEW absence

The Young Bucks have been missing from AEW TV since they lost the AEW World Tag Team Championship to Private Party on Fright Night Dynamite. Their last bout for the promotion took place on October 30, 2024.

The AEW EVPs returned to in-ring action at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. On the show, they defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito) and United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb) in a three-way match to secure the vacant IWGP Tag Team Title.

NJPW recently announced The Young Bucks' first title defense on its website. The champions will put their newly won gold on the line against Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi at The New Beginning in Osaka on February 11.

Check out NJPW's announcement below.

"The IWGP Tag Team Championships are on the line when Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi face The Young Bucks, Nicholas and Matthew Jackson. AEW EVPs the Bucks were victorious in a tumultuous three-way tag team match at Wrestle Dynasty to become the 106th champions, and to win the title for a second time."

As part of the announcement, it was disclosed that the Bucks enjoyed wrestling in Osaka and were happy to defend their gold.

"Still ‘working from home’ since their last appearance on AEW television, the Jacksons stated that they would be happy to put their belts on the line back in Japan, and that they always enjoyed wrestling in Osaka. After a win over Funky Sauce in Ota at New Year Dash, Hiromu and Naito, not pinned in the Tokyo Dome, asked to be the Bucks’ opposition. What happens when the World Tag League 2024 winners get their two on two shot?"

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The Young Bucks broke character after major title win

The Young Bucks are classic heels in AEW. But after winning the IWGP Tag Team Championship, they cut a babyface promo backstage at Wrestle Dynasty at Tokyo Dome. Nicholas said he and Matthew were honored to win the title and would not take their championship run for granted.

"It's unbelievable, to be honest. We were just saying that in an interview a minute ago it really humbles you because you don’t know how many moments like this we have in our career. We've been going out for 20 years. It's a long time and we’re probably more closer to the end than the beginning. So we gotta take moments like these not for granted. So we’re excited. We’re happy," Nicholas said.

Matthew added that the duo had never even imagined the possibility of returning to NJPW six years after their exit and winning a title. He mentioned that the victory felt very nostalgic.