Pilots need to know how to hand fly when the autopilot disengages. Usually just holding present attitude and power will handle it while figuring out the details. We have known for decades pulling back at 35,000 ft will stall any airplane so why do it? If you can't remember what your attitude and power settings were just set attitude about 2.5 degrees up and power to where it normally is until you figure out what you want to do.
I have no idea why these guys did what they did but no competent pilot would do it.