Daily Update: Jay Briscoe tributes

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • Kevin Owens posted a statement paying tribute to Jay Briscoe (Jamin Pugh):
          • I spent hours reading what people had to say about Jamin last night. I watched some of our matches together. I went back and read our last texts to each other
          • I am so heartbroken for his family. Every single one of them that I met over the years, and I met a lot of them because they all stuck together like glue, all special human beings that would give you the shirt off their back in a heartbeat if you needed it.
          • That’s who Jamin was, too.
          • There are a few people in this industry that I consider pillars of my own career. People I truly feel I would not be where I am today had I not encountered them. Jay and Mark Briscoe are two of those pillars.
          • In 2007, they had the opportunity to make or break two Canadian guys that were trying to put themselves on the map on the US indie scene. I remember walking up to Jay that afternoon before our match and asking what he wanted to do…never met him before…first interaction we ever had…he heard my question, looked at me and with a huge smile across his face, said ‘Well sh*t, man…let’s go out there and f*cking kill it!’
          • So we did. We did that night and we did many times after that. Each match I had with them stands out in my memory among the thousands of matches I’ve had in my career because working with the Briscoes was special, every single time.
          • Having the honor of being in the ring with Jay and his entire family as they celebrated after he beat me for the ROH title is my favorite moment of my independent career, bar none. It was special for all of them, for the crowd there that night, for everyone in the locker room and for me because Jay was special.
          • I didn’t get to see Jamin much after I went to WWE in 2014. In fact, I think we only saw each other once but it was like no time had passed at all. He came to see a WWE show and of course, he had his whole family with him. He was so excited and proud to tell me about everything his kids and his wife were up to and how great they were doing. He loved his family with everything he had…It was amazing to see them all.
          • We didn’t keep in touch very often but every time we did, it absolutely made my day. Getting a text message from him was always like a giant ray of sunshine.
          • I’m so thankful that I got to have him in my life. I’m so thankful for the laughs and the memories. Just so thankful to have known him. I’m a better person for having had the chance to.
          • My heart goes out to Ashley and the kids, to Mark and his parents, and to everyone else that knew and loved him. And that’s a lot of f*cking people.
          • Because Jay was special.
  • Sami Zayn wrote: “I don’t have the words right now to properly convey my sorrow. 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.”
  • Big E shared how The New Day were influenced by The Briscoes: “We certainly studied & ‘borrowed’ from the Briscoe Brothers. They have left an indelible mark on tag team wrestling. I was blown away by the trilogy with FTR. My deepest condolences to Jay Briscoe’s loved ones.”
  • Shawn Michaels tweeted last night: “On behalf of the @WWENXT community, I would like to express our condolences to the Briscoe family for their loss.”
  • Michaels and Shelton Benjamin were guests on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon.
  • Kofi Kingston told the New York Post that, while Xavier Woods is dealing with injuries, Woods is “getting better and better” every week. “We are able to progress our storyline and let him rest and recover,” Kingston said. “He’ll be good in no time. He’s made a lot of progress already.”
  • During an appearance on The Bellas Podcast, former WWE ring announcer JoJo Offerman said she and Bray Wyatt are getting married this year: “We’re not officially married, [we’re] engaged, but we will be married at the end of the year, We picked our date and everything. It’s fun, the kids are crazy.”
  • Ahead of next Monday’s 30th anniversary episode of Raw, WWE released a modernized version of Raw’s Ruthless Aggression era “Across the Nation” intro with today’s wrestlers.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded the following: Batista vs. Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship (Backlash 2005), Roman Reigns/Brock Lesnar segment (March 23, 2015 Raw), and Finlay vs. The Great Khali (January 18, 2008 SmackDown).

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • In an article published by the Delaware News Journal, Laurel High School athletic director Kevin Walmsley spoke about Jay Briscoe:
          • He was heavily involved. He was at school almost every day . . . It’s a huge tragedy for the community.
          • With the kids at practice, teaching skills, techniques, some of them knew he was a star in professional wrestling and some didn’t know that. But he treated every kid the same and he’s gonna be missed.
          • You saw him at the local store. He gave back. All the kids knew him. Just a true motivator.
  • CM Punk paid tribute to Briscoe by posting “Jay Briscoe Forever” on his Instagram stories.
  • Nick Jackson wrote on an Instagram story: “Life is so unfair. It’s way too short. Jay, I love you man. I’m praying for you and your entire family. This has left us all heart broken.”
  • Adam Cole reflected on what Briscoe meant to him: “I don’t know what my life would be like without Jay Briscoe in it, and I don’t want to know. You believed in me, you helped me, you treated me like family. There will never be another like you. I am so grateful to have known a man like you. I love you Jay.”
  • Tony Schiavone wrote: “Everyone at AEW are completely devastated over the loss of our friend Jamin. My thoughts and prayers go to The Pugh family, his friends and fans.”
  • Arn Anderson described the one time he met Briscoe:
          • In 40 years in this business you meet all kinds of people. The bad guys end up being the good guys and the good guys end up being the bad guys.
          • I have to say, my impression of the Briscoes was that these are a couple of wild men. I had the opportunity to meet them for the one and only time at Starrcast. We passed in the hall and they were the nicest, most respectful and soft spoken men you will ever meet. Jay will be remembered for his talent, professionalism, and the rapport that he had with his coworkers. Our hearts are broken for his family friends, fans and those of us that didn’t have the honor to get to know him.
          • Much respect. -AA
  • Former ROH owner Cary Silkin appeared on Busted Open Radio today to share his memories of Briscoe.
  • NJPW and Warrior Wrestling have each made two Briscoe matches available to watch for free.
  • NJPW Strong Style Evolved will take place at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 30. The show will be part of WrestleCon’s events during WrestleMania week.
  • NJPW announced that Sakura Genesis 2023 will be held at Sumo Hall in Tokyo on Saturday, April 8.
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi has renewed his contract with NJPW.
  • Tetsuya Naito spoke to Sports Illustrated in advance of his match against Kenoh at Wrestle Kingdom 17 night two.
  • Mick Foley visited with Terry Funk in Amarillo this week: “FOREVER THE FUNKER! Mick told his idol @TheDirtyFunker that whenever he’s within 400 miles of Amarillo he’d visit him. Mick had a great time visiting with Terry and his daughter Stacey along with Dick Murdoch’s son and daughter.”
  • In an interview with Wrestling Inc, Konnan defended his decision to book Alberto El Patron in Lucha Libre AAA.
  • Lio Rush will be in action at MLW SuperFight in Philadelphia on Saturday, February 4.
  • Brandi Rhodes was a guest on the “Tamron Hall” talk show today: “So great to be a guest on @TamronHallShow today!! Thank you Tamron!”