Tag: Jay Briscoe

Jay Briscoe’s Passing Reportedly Leads To WWE NXT Change

Jay Briscoe’s tragic death Tuesday reportedly prompted the creative minds behind the scenes at “NXT” to alter a segment at the last minute for last night’s television show. 

“There was a planned NXT segment tonight where New Day would hold a ‘funeral’ for Pretty Deadly’s title shot. When word of Jay Briscoe’s passing emerged, New Day and Shawn Michaels nixed the segment, and Michaels added the Vic Joseph tribute of Briscoe to the show,” Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp tweeted late Tuesday night.

On the show, The New Day announced that they would defend the “NXT Tag Team Championships” against Pretty Deadly and Gallus in a Triple Threat tag team match at the upcoming “NXT” Vengeance Day in February. When The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods delivered the news in the ring, they were inexplicably wearing dress clothes. Kingston and Woods appeared to pivot from what was originally intended, explaining their wardrobe for the segment by telling the crowd that they were wearing such nice attire to celebrate being “done with Pretty Deadly” after defeating them for the titles at last month’s “NXT” Deadline.

During the broadcast, “NXT” commentator Vic Joseph mentioned Briscoe’s passing on-air, offering condolences to his friends and family, as the wrestling community began to mourn such a monumental loss in the industry. “We were just informed of tragic news inside the wrestling community that Jay Briscoe has passed away,” Joseph said. “We want to take this moment to send our condolences to his friends and family.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Wrestling World Reacts To The Passing Of Jay Briscoe

Wrestlers and wrestling personalities are reacting in real time to the tragic news of Jay Briscoe’s death.

Leading the reactions are FTR, The Young Bucks, and The Usos — the three teams that have been mentioned in the same breath as The Briscoes as the greatest tag teams of the 21st century. 

“RIP to the homie Jay Briscoe,” The Usos wrote on Twitter. “Condolences to the your family. Rest in paradise uso. @SussexCoChicken #DemBoyz.”

“I’ve been in tears since I heard the news,” wrote Cash Wheeler of FTR. “I just don’t have the words. Rest in Peace Jay.”

“I’m doing ok,” wrote Dax Harwood of FTR, along with a photo of FTR and The Briscoes sharing a drink. “Thanks everyone for checking on me. I love you, Jay.”

Meanwhile, The Young Bucks changed their Twitter header photo to that of Jay Briscoe.

AEW star Matt Hardy, who shared the ring with Jay more than a dozen times, explained why he shared a genuine love for Jay.

“Heard this tragic news while flying,” Matt tweeted. “I’m DEVASTATED that Jay Briscoe (Jamin Pugh) tragically died today. I was honored to work with him many times. I loved Jay. Jay was SO real. Jay loved his wife & kids more than anything & we shared that bond. I’m heartbroken for his family.”

AEW star Chris Jericho tweeted, “Please pray for @jaybriscoe84’s family. Trust me this is worse than you think.”

Veteran ROH announcer Ian Riccaboni, who called the action for The Briscoes’ final ROH match at Final Battle, touched upon the close friendship he developed with “Dem Boyz” over the years.

“Jay was one of a kind,” Riccaboni tweeted. I traveled often with Jay and Mark. We couldn’t have been more different but that’s what made our friendship something I’ll cherish forever. He’d give you the shirt off his back, his last dime. He was so proud of his kids. Loved his family so much.”

Others such as Moose, “The Hurricane” Shane Helms, Big Swole, Frankie Kazarian and John Silver posted their reactions as well.

Jay Briscoe never wrestled on WWE television but had many fans within the current WWE roster.

WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque led the tributes with a message that was re-tweeted by WWE’s official account.

“An incredible performer who created a deep connection with wrestling fans across the globe,” Triple H tweeted. “My condolences to the family and friends of Jay Briscoe.”

Shawn Michaels posted a tribute on behalf of the “WWE NXT” roster.

“On behalf of the @WWENXT community, I would like to express our condolences to the Briscoe family for their loss.”

Bayley tweeted, “I’m so sorry to hear about Jay Briscoe. To all my friends who were close to him, to all his fans, and to his family, I’m sending you so much strength and love. ❤️ #DemBoys.”

Shinsuke Nakamura tweeted, “RIP Jay Briscoe.”

GUNTHER, who shared the ring with The Briscoes at a wXw event in 2017, tweeted, “Rest in Peace, Jay Briscoe.”

Others such as Ricochet and Cody Rhodes reacted to the tragic news as well.

“This is so sad. ❤️,” tweeted Ricochet.

“I didn’t interact much with him, but upon meeting Jay I instantly understood something about him…his family was his everything,” tweeted Rhodes. “All the love in the world to them this evening.”

Meanwhile, Sami Zayn went as far as to credit The Briscoes for helping him advance in his pro wrestling career. The former El Generico wrestled The Briscoes on countless occasions for promotions such as PWG and ROH. 

“I don’t have the words right now to properly convey my sorrow,” Zayn wrote on Twitter. “I love Jay & Mark Briscoe. Always have. I wouldn’t be here without them. I’m very lucky to have shared the ring & shared so many laughs with Jay Briscoe and I’m so sad to know neither will happen again. RIP my friend.”

Finally, WWE announcer Vic Joseph acknowledged Jay’s passing during a live episode of “WWE NXT” Tuesday night.

“We were just informed of tragic news inside the wrestling community that Jay Briscoe has passed away,” Joseph said. “We want to take this moment to send our condolences to his friends and family.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jay Briscoe Dead At Age 38

Veteran wrestler Jay Briscoe (real name Jamin Pugh) has passed away at the age of 38 yesterday evening in a auto accident.

Jay Briscoe was killed Tuesday evening in a car accident in Laurel, Delaware. One other person was killed in the collision, and two others were injured. Jay’s wife Ashley confirmed that two of the couple’s daughters were involved in the accident.

AEW and ROH owner Tony Khan shared the heartbreaking news via Twitter on Tuesday evening.

“Sadly, Jamin Pugh has passed away,” Khan wrote. “Known to fans as Jay Briscoe, he was a star in ROH for over 20 years, from the first show until today. Jay and his brother Mark dominated ROH, reigning as champions to this day. We’ll do whatever we can to support his family. Rest In Peace Jamin.”

Jay’s widow, took to Facebook to post an update on her family’s conditions following yesterday’s tragic crash.

Ashley wrote: “We need prayers! Gracie is on her way into surgery on her back. Jamin would want the whole world praying for his little girl. WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER!! Pray for the doctors and everyone working on her! Pray for her precious legs to move again! Pray for Jayleigh who has some pretty serious injuries, but is stable and resting! Pray for Gannon waiting at home! Pray for strength for all of us! We have a long long road ahead of us!”

Jay and his brother, Mark, were the reigning ROH World Tag Team Champions, following their victory over FTR at ROH Final Battle on December 10. The Briscoes have been widely regarded as one of the best tag teams of the 21st century, having held tag team gold for promotions such as NJPW, Impact Wrestling, GCW and CZW, besides their 13 stints as ROH World Tag Team Champions.

During the course of his illustrious career, Jay also found success as a singles wrestler, holding the ROH World Championship on two separate occasions.  

The Briscoes were enshrined in the ROH Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 2022. 

Laurel School District in Sussex County — where Jay went to school — released the following statement in acknowledgment of the hometown hero’s passing.

“Due to an unthinkable tragedy in our community this evening, The Laurel School District will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday January 18, 2023. Schools will reopen on Thursday. Please keep the Pugh Family in your thoughts and prayers.”

In the outpouring of support from those across the professional wrestling community last night and this morning, one of the most touted aspects of Pugh’s personality was his devotion to his family. One video, posted to Twitter, showed Pugh practicing a cheerleading routine with one of his daughters — something that many wrestlers might shy away from posting publicly, but Pugh was proud and happy to share.’

Source: Wrestling Inc.