Grizzled Young Veterans Explained

Article Name:Grizzled Young Veterans
Type:T
Members:James Drake / Jagger Reid
Zack Gibson / Rip Fowler
Names:James Drake and Zack Gibson
Grizzled Young Veterans
The Dyad
Heights: – Drake
– Gibson
Weights:401lb
Drake (181 lb)
Gibson (220 lb)
Billed:England
Debut:July 30, 2017
Years Active:2017–present

Grizzled Young Veterans (also shortened as GYV) are an English professional wrestling tag team consisting of James Drake and Zack Gibson, currently performing as freelancers. They also make appearances on the independent circuit and for Revolution Pro Wrestling, where they are the current Undisputed British Tag Team Champions in their first reign. They are best known for their tenure with WWE, where they are the inaugural NXT UK Tag Team Champions. They also performed as The Dyad on the NXT brand. They are three-time Progress Tag Team Champions. They also run a wrestling promotion in the UK called Burning Heart Pro Wrestling, launched in 2024.[1]

History

Progress Wrestling (2017–2019)

In 2017, Zack Gibson and James Drake formed a villainous tag team called Grizzled Young Veterans. Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Chris Brookes and Kid Lykos of CCK to become the Progress Tag Team Champions.[2] They successfully defended the titles against Aussie Open at Progress Chapter 59.[3] At Chapter 61, Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) to retain their championships.[4] In 2018, Gibson took part of the Super Strong Style 16 Tournament, defeating Joey Janela in the first round and Pete Dunne by disqualification in the quarter finals before he was eliminated by Kassius Ohno in the semi-finals.[5] [6]

WWE

NXT UK (2018–2020)

In January 2017, Drake participated in the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament to crown the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion, losing to Joseph Conners in the first round.[7]

Gibson was announced for WWE's WrestleMania Axxess during Wrestlemania 34 weekend as part of a WWE United Kingdom Championship invitational where he lost to Mark Andrews in the first round. On day four of Axxess, Grizzled Young Veterans retained their Progress Tag Team championships by disqualification against Heavy Machinery. Around this time, it was revealed by Wrestling Observer that Gibson was signed to a WWE contract.[8] [9] Both would participate in the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament with the winner facing Pete Dunne for the United Kingdom Championship. Drake lost to Flash Morgan Webster in the first round[10] but Gibson won the tournament after defeat Travis Banks in the finals and would go on to challenge Dunne, the next night in a losing effort.[11]

In 2019, they defeated Moustache Mountain at in the finals of a tournament to become the inaugural NXT UK Tag Team Champions.[12] After some defenses, they would lose the titles to Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster at in a triple threat tag team match also involving Gallus. On September 11, Drake and Gibson unsuccessfully challenged Andrews & Webster in a rematch. They would have another title match at NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool II against the new champions Gallus, Andrews & Webster and Imperium in a ladder match where the champions retained.[13]

In parallel to their NXT UK Tag Team Championship pursuit at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II, Drake and Gibson competed in the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They defeated Kushida and Alex Shelley in the quarterfinals and NXT Tag Team Champions Bobby Fishand Kyle O'Reilly of The Undisputed Era in the semifinals, before losing to The BroserWeights (Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne) in the finals.[14] [15]

Arrival in NXT (2020–2022)

On the February 19, 2020, episode of NXT, the Grizzled Young Veterans joined the NXT brand as tweeners, defeating Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde before announcing their intent to take over NXT's tag team division.[16] However the two would soon disappear from television as a result of travel issues from the COVID-19 pandemic. The two returned on the 25 November episode of NXT, attacking Ever-Rise. In early January 2021, the Grizzled Young Veterans took part in the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic where they defeated Ever-Rise in the first round,[17] the team of Kushida and Leon Ruff in the second round,[18] and Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa in the semi-finals, earning the opportunity to face MSK in the finals at .[19] At the event, the Grizzled Young Veterans were defeated by MSK, once again failing to win in the tournament finals.[20] On the 21 December episode of NXT, they faced The Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed and Julius Creed) which ended in a no-contest when both teams got into a brawl with Kushida and Ikemen Jiro (wrestling as the tag team Jacket Time) who were on commentary as well as Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen.[21] In January 2022, the Grizzled Young Veterans took part in the 2022 Men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic where they defeated Chase University (Andre Chase and Bodhi Hayward) in the first round,[22] but lost to The Creed Brothers in the semifinals.[23]

Schism (2022–2023)

On 19 July episode of NXT, Joe Gacy's masked allies were revealed to have been James Drake and Zack Gibson, now under the ring names Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler, officially renaming the tag team "The Dyad" and turning heel once again. Gacy and the Dyad subsequently named their group "Schism".[24] Schism gained an additional member on the 25 October episode of NXT, which was revealed to be Ava Raine.[25] The Dyad would fail to win the NXT Tag Team Championship from Gallus on the April 18 episode of NXT in a triple-threat match involving the Creed Brothers and on the May 9 episode of NXT. On the July 4 episode of NXT, the Dyad defeated the Creeds in a loser leaves town match. However, the Creeds would defeat the Dyad in a steel cage match on August 29, being reinstated with NXT in the process; it was Reid and Fowler's last match in WWE. On the September 12 edition of NXT, Gacy confirmed Fowler and Reid were no longer members of Schism in a pre-taped vignette. On September 14, Reid and Fowler departed WWE after their contracts expired.[26]

Independent circuit (2023–present)

On 14 October 2023, both Drake and Gibson announced that they would take independent bookings.[27] The following day, they made their first independent appearance since being released at Deadlock Pro-Wrestling's Live 3 event where they answered an open challenge set by DPW's tag team champions, The Workhorsemen.[28]

On April 25, 2024, Drake and Gibson announced the launch of their professional wrestling promotion, Burning Heart Wrestling. The promotion's first event will take place on June 21.[29]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2024)

On December 26, 2023, it was revealed that Gibson and Drake will make their TNA Wrestling debuts at Hard To Kill.[30] They were later announced as challenging for the TNA World Tag Team Championship, along with The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel) and Speedball Mountain (Mike Bailey and Trent Seven), against champions ABC (Chris Bey and Ace Austin), which was won by ABC.[31] [32] Director of Authority Santino Marella would then make a best of three series between the two teams over the titles, with GYV winning the first match[33] and ABC winning the second. GYV lost the third and decisive match at No Surrender.[34] [35]

All Elite Wrestling (2024)

On April 25, 2024, it was revealed that Gibson and Drake will make their All Elite Wrestling Debut on the April 27 episode of Collision,[36] where they were defeated by The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster).[37]

Championships and accomplishments

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grizzled Young Veterans launching new wrestling promotion. Joseph. Currier. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. April 25, 2024. April 26, 2024.
  2. Web site: PROGRESS Chapter 58: Live Your Best Life « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database. www.cagematch.net. 2020-01-30.
  3. Web site: PROGRESS Chapter 59: Whatever People Say We Are, That's What We're Not « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database. www.cagematch.net. 2020-01-30.
  4. Web site: PROGRESS Chapter 61: Don't Touch Me ... Don't ... Don't Touch Me « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database. www.cagematch.net. 2020-01-30.
  5. Web site: PROGRESS Chapter 68: Super Strong Style 16 Tournament Edition 2018 - Tag 3 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database. www.cagematch.net. 2020-01-30.
  6. Web site: Matches « Super Strong Style 16 Tournament 2018 « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database. www.cagematch.net. 30 January 2020.
  7. Web site: SOUCEK'S WWE UK CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT REPORT 1/14: Ongoing coverage of night one of UK Championship tournament -. 14 January 2017. en-US. 30 January 2020.
  8. Web site: British wrestler Zack Gibson signs with WWE as plans for UK show gain momentum. Docking. Neil. 24 March 2018. mirror. 30 January 2020.
  9. Web site: Report: WWE Signs Another Wrestler From The United Kingdom Fightful Wrestling. www.fightful.com. en. 30 January 2020.
  10. Web site: Full results from the WWE U.K. Championship Tournament First Round. WWE. en. 2 February 2020.
  11. Web site: WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne def. Zack Gibson. WWE. en. 30 January 2020.
  12. Web site: Grizzled Young Veterans Beat Moustache Mountain to Win NXT UK Tag Titles. Chiari. Mike. Bleacher Report. en. 30 January 2020.
  13. Web site: NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II start time, card, matches, live stream, watch online, WWE Network. CBSSports.com. 12 January 2020 . en. 30 January 2020.
  14. Web site: Get the latest results for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. WWE. en. 30 January 2020.
  15. Web site: Moore. John. 1/29 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne vs. Zack Gibson and James Drake in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament final, Tegan Nox vs. Dakota Kai, Adam Cole's challenger for the NXT Title at Takeover. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 29 January 2020. 30 January 2020.
  16. Web site: Garretson . Jordan . The Grizzled Young Veterans def. Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde . WWE. February 19, 2020. February 21, 2020.
  17. Web site: Moore. John. 1/13 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Adam Cole and Roderick Strong vs. Tyler Breeze and Fandango, and Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Ever-Rise in a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic matches, Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae, Johnny Gargano vs. Dexter Lumis in a non-title match. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. January 13, 2021. January 14, 2021.
  18. Web site: Moore. John. 1/27 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Finn Balor and Kyle O'Reilly vs. NXT Tag Champs Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan in a non-title match, Santos Escobar vs. Curt Stallion for the NXT Cruiserweight Title, Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic matches. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 27 January 2021. 28 January 2021.
  19. Web site: Moore. John. 2/10 NXT TV results: Moore's review of MSK vs. Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde, Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell, and Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans in Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal matches. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 10 February 2021. 11 February 2021.
  20. Web site: Moore. John. NXT Takeover Vengeance Day results: Moore's live review of Finn Balor vs. Pete Dunne for the NXT Championship, Johnny Gargano vs. Kushida for the NXT North American Title, Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm vs. Mercedes Martinez for the NXT Women's Championship, Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic finals. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 14 February 2021. 14 February 2021.
  21. Web site: 12/21 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of AJ Styles responding to Grayson Waller, Raquel Gonzalez vs. Dakota Kai in a street fight, Pete Dunne vs. Tony D'Angelo, Dexter Lumis vs. Trick Williams, Julius Creed and Brutus Creed vs. Zack Gibson and James Drake, Von Wagner in action. Moore. John. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 21 December 2021. 14 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124132942/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/12/21/12-21-nxt-2-0-results-moores-review-of-aj-styles-responding-to-grayson-waller-raquel-gonzalez-vs-dakota-kai-in-a-street-fight-pete-dunne-vs-tony-dangelo-dexter-lumis-vs-trick-will/. 24 January 2022. live.
  22. Web site: Moore. John. 1/25 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Solo Sikoa vs. Boa in a No DQ, Falls Count Anywhere match, Cameron Grimes vs. Tony D'Angelo for a shot at the NXT North American Championship, Toxic Attraction vs. Kay Lee Ray, Indi Hartwell, and Persia Pirotta, two Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic matches. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 25 January 2022. 26 January 2022.
  23. Web site: Moore. John. 2/8 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Mandy Rose vs. Kay Lee Ray for the NXT Women's Championship, The Creed Brothers vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans, and MSK vs. Malik Blade and Edris Enofe in Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal matches, the Bron Breakker and Santos Escobar summit. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 8 February 2022. 8 February 2022.
  24. Web site: The Dyad Are Revealed To Be Former Tag Team Champions With New Names And New Looks. Fightful. 19 July 2022.
  25. News: Defelice. Robert. Ava Raine (Simone Johnson) Debuts As The Fourth Member Of Schism On 10/25 WWE NXT. 28 December 2022. Fightful. 25 October 2022.
  26. Web site: Knight . Cain A. . Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid are gone from WWE . SBNation . September 16, 2023 . en-US . September 14, 2023.
  27. Web site: Lambert . Jeremy . 2023-10-14 . Grizzled Young Veterans Are Officially Free Agents Fightful News . 2023-10-15 . www.fightful.com . en.
  28. Web site: Thompson . Andrew . 2023-10-16 . Grizzled Young Veterans appear at DEADLOCK Pro Wrestling’s 10/15 event . 2023-10-17 . POST Wrestling . en.
  29. Web site: Lowson. Thomas. 2024-04-25. Burning Heart Pro Wrestling: Promotion Launched By Grizzled Young Veterans to Host First Show in June. 2024-04-25. sescoops. en.
  30. Web site: Grizzled Young Veterans Are Coming to TNA Hard To Kill & Snake Eyes. Impact Wrestling. December 26, 2023. December 26, 2023.
  31. Web site: Santino Marella Makes Huge TNA World Tag Team Title Match for Hard To Kill. Impact Wrestling. Impact Wrestling Staff. December 31, 2023. December 31, 2023.
  32. Web site: Powell. Jason. TNA Hard To Kill results: Powell’s live review of Alex Shelley vs. Moose for the TNA Title, Trinity vs. Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts Title, Josh Alexander vs. Alex Hammerstone. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. January 13, 2024. January 13, 2024.
  33. Web site: Moore. John. TNA Impact results (2/1): Moore's review of ABC vs. Grizzled Young Veterans in the first match of the best of three series for the TNA Tag Titles, Nic Nemeth vs. Trey Miguel. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. February 2, 2024. February 5, 2024.
  34. Web site: ABC & GYV Settle the Score in Final Match of Best of 3 Series at No Surrender. TNA Wrestling. TNA Wrestling Staff. February 15, 2024. February 15, 2024.
  35. Web site: TNA No Surrender 2024. Cagematch. February 23, 2024. February 23, 2024.
  36. Web site: Carey. Ian. 2024-04-25. Grizzled Young Veterans to make AEW debut on Collision. 2024-04-25. Wrestling Observer. en.
  37. Web site: AEW Collision #43. 2024-04-28. Cagematch. en.
  38. Web site: Titles « FSW Tag Team Championship « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database . cagematch.net .
  39. Web site:
    1. AndNEW: Grizzled Young Veterans Win PROGRESS Tag Team Championships
    . Richards. Alex. 2019-07-29. Last Word on Pro Wrestling. en-US. 2020-01-30.
  40. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019. cagematch.net. August 29, 2019.
  41. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019. cagematch.net. August 29, 2019.
  42. Web site: Grizzled Young Veterans Beat Moustache Mountain to Win NXT UK Tag Titles. WWE. 2020-01-30.

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