Young Bucks talk AEW viewership and Private Party.
Through three weeks, AEW Dynamite on TNT is averaging 1.147 million viewers (second-week TruTV simulcast numbers not included). AEW has won all three weeks against NXT and despite viewership slipping each week, The Young Bucks are happy with how things have gone.
“I heard the expectations were possibly in the 400 or 500,000 range," Matt Jackson told TV Insider. “The fact we crossed a million was great. I think opening we expected a big number. I don’t know if we expected the number, we got in 1.4. Of course, a week or two after there will always be a drop. We expected that. If we can keep around a million, we’d be thrilled. That would be amazing. We’re such a brand-new thing for them. The next week is tough with Major League Baseball, NBA coming up. We understand that. This whole thing is a whirlwind. We are thrilled right now. And of course, you think about the other wrestling playing that night. And you want to best them, and the fact we are is great. We are also not taking that for granted because they have a great show too. Right now, we have one step foot forward and think about our brand, our television show and making it the best we can make it.”
AEW was heavily promoted during Tuesday's NBA on TNT premiere, but the program will feature heavy competition on Wednesday with more NBA opening night games and Game 2 of the MLB World Series.
A big highlight through the first three weeks of television has been The Young Bucks tag team bout against Private Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy). Being the veterans, most expected the Young Bucks to win, but Private Party pulled off the surprise victory in a critically acclaimed matchup.
“We wanted to face this tag team in the first round. We know that moment would be huge for them,” Nick Jackson said. “For them to deliver such a great performance four or five years into their professional wrestling career, it was mind-blowing. Isiah is 22-years-old for crying out loud. If I was 22 years old and was in his same spot. If I was about to perform in front of a TNT audience, I would be nervous. You couldn’t read that on both of them. I told Matt afterward that they are obviously ready to become stars.”
Matt added, “It really felt like they belonged. We can talk and plan for months like we did. We set the whole thing up, but sometimes things don’t really happen the same…But sometimes things click. Story was told almost perfectly. I watched the match back, and usually I can’t stand watching my matches back because I’m a bit of a perfectionist. However, for me, with the time given, the story we were able to tell, that is almost as perfect as a match you can have. They played their roles flawlessly. I feel that night they were made. I’m really happy for them.”
Private Party will have a chance to show their victory over the Young Bucks wasn't a fluke when they meet The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix) on Wednesday's episode of Dynamite. Meanwhile, The Young Bucks will be in action against The Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent).
Fightful will have live coverage of AEW Dynamite beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
