Jurassic Express Upsets Young Bucks in $500K WrestleDream Showdown

When Jack Perry, formerly “Jungle Boy,” teamed up with Luchasaurus as Jurassic Express, they faced the co‑founders of All Elite Wrestling, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson, in a $500,000 tag‑team bout at WrestleDream 2025St. Louis. The match, broadcast live on pay‑per‑view, not only handed Jurassic Express a career‑defining victory but also signaled a possible retirement for the Jackson brothers after more than two decades on the mic and the mat.

Background: A Rivalry Forged Over Years

The Young Bucks—Matt and Nick—co‑founded AEW in 2019 alongside Kenny Omega and the wider Elite stable. Since Day 1 they have amassed nine world tag titles across AEW, Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro‑Wrestling and AAA, cementing their place as one of wrestling’s most decorated duos.

Jack Perry entered the picture as a teenage prodigy in 2017, debuting under the moniker “Jungle Boy.” Under the mentorship of the Bucks, he quickly rose through the ranks, joining the Elite and capturing the Dynamite Diamond Ring in 2020. However, a backstage fallout in 2022 led to his expulsion from the group. The split sparked a narrative thread that AEW would stretch for three years, punctuated by a ladder match on June 15 2022 during the Road Rager special where the Bucks reclaimed the AEW World Tag Team Championship from Perry’s original partner, Luchasaurus, ending Jurassic Express’s 302‑day reign.

The WrestleDream 2025 Showdown

On the October 18 night of WrestleDream, the arena in St. Louis thrummed with anticipation. The stipulation was simple yet high‑stakes: a $500,000 prize for the victors, billed as “the last big payday” for the Jacksons, who hinted they “desperately need” the cash in recent AEW promos.

Early in the bout, Nick Jackson tried to isolate Perry with a series of rapid‑fire kicks, but Luchasaurus’ towering presence broke the rhythm, delivering a thunderous powerbomb that sent the crowd into a roar. Mid‑match, Matt Jackson executed his trademark “Superkick” on Luchasaurus, yet Perry countered with a surprise “Hook” maneuver that left the veteran tag team leader stunned.

The climax arrived when Perry tossed a folded note to Luchasaurus, reenacting the backstage address he had delivered on the October 15 episode of Dynamite. “You didn’t pick up the phone when I needed you,” he said, before sealing the win with a double‑dropping elbow on both Bucks. The referee’s hand hit the mat three times, confirming Jurassic Express as the new $500,000 winners.

Financial Stakes and Retirement Talk

In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated on October 17, Nick Jackson reflected on the health of AEW’s tag division, citing teams like FTR and the rising duo JetSpeed. “We’re in a golden era,” he said, “and stepping away now feels… right.” Matt added that the influx of fresh talent—particularly “JetSpeed” and “Brodido”—has kept the division “interesting.”

AEW’s official preview noted the $500,000 prize as “a significant incentive for the Bucks, who reportedly have upcoming medical expenses and want to secure financial stability for their families.” While AEW never disclosed exact figures, industry insiders estimate the brothers have been negotiating life‑after‑wrestling deals with the company’s ownership group.

Reactions from the Tag‑Team Community

Fellow tag‑team specialists offered mixed feelings. David “Doc” Gallows, half‑of the Good Brothers, praised the bout as “the most emotionally charged match in AEW this decade.” Conversely, former AEW champion MJF mocked the stakes, tweeting, “$500K? I could’ve bought a small island with that.”

Fans on social media flooded the #WrestleDream hashtag with reactions ranging from “historic” to “what a legacy.” Ticket sales for the next AEW pay‑per‑view, “Full Gear 2025,” spiked by 12% in the week following the event, suggesting the Bucks’ potential exit is boosting overall interest in the tag team scene.

What’s Next for AEW’s Tag Division?

With the Jackson brothers contemplating retirement, AEW’s front office faces a reshuffling of its upper‑echelon tag titles. Current champions Billy Gunn and MC Taylor are slated to defend against a four‑team tournament at Full Gear. Meanwhile, Jurassic Express, now bolstered by the $500,000 win, could pursue a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship, potentially setting up a showdown with the “newcomer” team JetSpeed later in the year.

Beyond titles, the narrative shift opens space for AEW to explore more multi‑team trios matches, a format the Jacksons helped popularize as inaugural AEW World Trios Champions alongside Kenny Omega back in 2022. If the Bucks transition fully into executive roles, the promotion may see a surge in behind‑the‑scenes storytelling, leveraging their decades of experience to nurture the next generation of tag talent.