Metal–ligand bifunctional cooperation has attracted much attention because it offers a powerful methodology to realize a number of highly efficient and selective catalysts. In this article, recent developments in the metal–ligand cooperative reactions of protic N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and pyrazole complexes bearing an acidic NH group at the position β to the metal are surveyed. Protic 2-pyridylidenes as related cooperating non-innocent ligands are also described.