The Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life

Last updated
Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life
Jay Briscoe COL.jpg
Entrance set, featuring the logo for the Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life tribute show
Promotion Ring of Honor
DateJanuary 18, 2023
(aired January 26, 2023)
City Fresno, California
Venue Save Mart Center

The Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life, also known as the Jay Briscoe Tribute and Celebration of Life, was a professional wrestling memorial event and television special produced by Ring of Honor (ROH). The event took place on January 18, 2023, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California and was broadcast on Honor Club. It paid tribute to ROH wrestler Jay Briscoe (who was part of the tag team The Briscoes, alongside his brother Mark Briscoe) following his death the day prior. The show was taped after AEW Dynamite and AEW Rampage on January 18 and aired on January 26.

Contents

Background

Jay Briscoe died in a car accident in Laurel, Delaware on January 17, 2023, at the age of 38. His death was announced on Twitter by Ring of Honor (ROH) owner Tony Khan. [1] His funeral was held on January 29, 2023, at Laurel High School, with eulogies being delivered by his parents, brother, and fellow wrestler Caprice Coleman. [2]

On January 18, an episode of ROH Honor Club TV was filmed as a Jay Briscoe tribute show, [3] [4] titled Jay Briscoe Tribute and Celebration of Life. [5] [3] The next day, on Wrestling Observer Radio , journalist Dave Meltzer revealed that plans were made to hold another tribute show for Briscoe when ROH resumed airing its weekly series later in the year. [6] [7] On the January 20 episode of SmackDown , WWE commentator Michael Cole paid tribute to Briscoe, labeling him and brother Mark as "one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling". [8] Briscoe's brother, Mark, defeated Jay Lethal in the main event match of the January 25 episode of AEW Dynamite , on what would have been Jay's 39th birthday. The entire locker room came out after the match to celebrate Mark's win.

Storylines

The Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life featured professional wrestling matches and segments that paid tribute to Jay Briscoe. ROH intended for this event to be non-canonical, ignoring some ongoing storylines of the promotions. [9]

As the event was largely non-canonical, there were few storylines for the matches going into the event. The main event saw Claudio Castagnoli defend his ROH World Championship against ROH veteran Christopher Daniels.

Event

Other on-screen personnel
RoleName
Commentators Ian Riccaboni
Caprice Coleman
Ring announcer Justin Roberts
Referees Aubrey Edwards
Rick Knox
Paul Turner
Stephon Smith
Mike Posey

The Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life opened with ROH commentators Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman talking about Jay as a father and a performer. ROH owner Tony Khan came out and thanked everyone for coming to honor the life of Jay. There were various vignettes aired backstage about various AEW wrestlers talking about their relationship with Jay Briscoe, featuring Samoa Joe, Adam Cole, Christopher Daniels, Prince Nana, Austin Gunn, Matt Hardy, Eddie Kingston, BJ Whitmer, Stokely Hathaway, Zane Decker and Claudio Castagnoli. Segments also aired featuring three of Jay Briscoe's biggest matches.

The event started with Wheeler Yuta defending the ROH Pure Championship in a Pure Wrestling Rules match against Hagane Shinno. In the closing stages, Yuta performed a lariat and diving splash, but Shinno kicked out. Yuta then performed hammer and anvil elbow strikes and a modified seated fujiwara armbar for the submission victory.

Next, there was a segment about the rivalry between Jay Briscoe and Adam Cole, which culminated at Final Battle 2010 in which Jay defended the ROH World Championship against Cole. Jay performed two Jay Drillers (including one on the title) for the win.

Next on the show, Adam Cole came out and talked about his relationship with The Briscoes. He ended by saying "Jay, I love you, I miss you and you made the world a better place".

The next match on the main card was between Marina Shafir and Mighty Mayra. In the end, Shafir hit a big boot and a hammerlock torque on the hand for the submission win.

There was another segment featuring Jay Briscoe taking on Christopher Daniels (with Frankie Kazarian) on Night 2 of Survival of the Fittest 2016. As Daniels was partially conscious, Jay hit a Jay Driller for the win.

The next match was between Eddie Kingston and QT Marshall. In the closing stages, as Kingston was looking for a back suplex, Marshall blocked it. Marshall started taunting the crowd, and as he was looking for the Diamond Cutter. Kingston escaped and hit a spinning backfist and a dragon sleeper for the win. After the match, Kingston unveiled a poster with the caption "Reach For The Sky Boy, Jay Briscoe Forever".

Next, Athena faced Madison Rayne (with Skye Blue). Athena performed a gutbuster and a crossface for the victory. After the match, as Blue was distracted, Athena sneaked back into the ring and hit her with the ROH Women's World Championship belt.

The next match was Juice Robinson taking on Brandon Cutler. As Cutler was going to the top rope, Robinson pushed the rope, allowing him to perform a cannonball in the corner and a headlock driver for the pin and the win.

In the penultimate match, Yuka Sakazaki faced Sandra Moone. Sakazaki performed an airplane spin facebuster and a springboard twisting splash for the win.

The final Jay Briscoe segment featured he and his brother Mark teaming up as The Briscoes to take on The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli) (with Larry Sweeney) at Final Battle 2006 in Castagnoli's final ROH match. In the closing stages, as Sweeney was distracting the referee, Castagnoli unintentionally hit Hero with a briefcase, allowing the Briscoes to hit their shooting star press/leg drop combination for the win.

Main event

In the main event, Claudio Castagnoli defended the ROH World Championship against Christopher Daniels. The referee was Paul Turner, who had overseen more Jay Briscoes matches then any other referee. Castagnoli started with a side headlock takedown. Daniels performed his own side headlock, which Claudio escaped into a shoulder tackle. As Daniels was looking for some kind of maneuver, Castagnoli countered it into a gutbuster, which sent Daniels out of the ring. As Daniels entered the ring, he immediately performed a clothesline. Daniels started overpowering Castagnoli, hitting a flatliner into a Koji clutch, but Castagnoli escaped. Daniels then locked in guillotine choke, but Castagnoli countered it into a suplex. Castagnoli started hitting multiple uppercuts in the corner. As Castagnoli was looking for the Giant Swing, Daniels blocked it with a chop to the throat and performed a schoolboy pin, but Castagnoli kicked out. In the closing stages, Daniels performed The Best Moonsault Ever, but Castagnoli again kicked out. As Daniels was looking for Angels' Wing, Castagnoli escaped it and hit the Very European Uppercut, which led to the Giant Swing (where he swung Daniels for 10 revolutions) and Jay Driller for the win. After the match, Castagnoli and Daniels embraced each other as Jay Briscoe's music hit and the show came to and end.

Results

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1 Wheeler Yuta (c) defeated Hagane Shinno by pinfall Pure Wrestling Rules match for the ROH Pure Championship
Dean Malenko, BJ Whitmer and Jerry Lynn served as the judges		9:32
2 Marina Shafir defeated Mighty Mayra by submission Singles match 2:10
3 Eddie Kingston defeated QT Marshall by pinfall Singles match 5:08
4 Athena defeated Madison Rayne (with Skye Blue) by submission ROH Women's World Championship Eliminator match
Had Rayne won, she would have had a match with Athena for the ROH Women's World Championship 		8:25
5 Juice Robinson defeated Brandon Cutler by pinfall Singles match 7:40
6 Yuka Sakazaki defeated Sandra Moone by pinfall Singles match 3:01
7 Claudio Castagnoli (c) defeated Christopher Daniels by pinfall Singles match for the ROH World Championship 13:35
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ROH World Championship</span> Professional wrestling championship in Ring of Honor

The ROH World Championship is a professional wrestling world championship created and promoted by Ring of Honor (ROH). It is considered the most prestigious title in the promotion. The current champion is Mark Briscoe, who is in his first reign. In addition to being in ROH, the championship is also defended on All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) programs, as AEW and ROH are both owned by Tony Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Kingston</span> American professional wrestler

Edward Moore, better known by the ring name Eddie Kingston, is an American professional wrestler. As of July 2020, he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he was the inaugural AEW Continental Champion. He also performs for AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former ROH World Champion. Additionally, he makes appearances for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former Strong Openweight Champion. All three of these championships were defended jointly under the Continental Crown Championship banner until he lost the Continental Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mogul Embassy</span> Professional wrestling stable

Mogul Embassy or simply the Embassy was a villainous professional wrestling stable appearing in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), led by AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana. The remaining members, Brian Cage, Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun are former two-time ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions.

Survival of the Fittest is a professional wrestling tournament held by Ring of Honor (ROH). The inaugural tournament took place in 2004, and - with exceptions - has become an annual tradition in ROH ever since.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Briscoe</span> American professional wrestler (born 1985)

Mark Pugh is an American professional wrestler best known as Mark Briscoe. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH), the latter promotion being where he gained notoriety teaming with his brother Jay as the Briscoe Brothers. In ROH, he is the current ROH World Champion in his first reign. He held the ROH World Tag Team Championship with his brother Jay Briscoe a record 13 times, and was one third of the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions with Jay and Bully Ray. In January 2022, the Briscoe Brothers were honored as inaugural inductees into the ROH Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheeler Yuta</span> American professional wrestler (born 1996)

Paul Gruber is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Wheeler Yuta and is a member of the Blackpool Combat Club. He also makes appearances for AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is the current ROH Pure Champion with his record-setting third reign, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a member of the Chaos stable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jericho Appreciation Society</span> Professional wrestling stable

The Jericho Appreciation Society (JAS) was a villainous professional wrestling stable formed in American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), created and led by Chris Jericho and also appeared in AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH). The group also consisted of Daniel Garcia, Jake Hager, Angelo Parker, Matt Menard, Sammy Guevara, Tay Melo, and Anna Jay A.S.

The Blackpool Combat Club (BCC) is a professional wrestling stable performing in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Ring of Honor (ROH). Formed in 2022, its name derives from the town where English wrestling personality William Regal—the group's creator and initial manager—began his career. The group was originally a tag team managed by Regal and consisting of American wrestlers Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley, who were later joined by American wrestler Wheeler Yuta and Swiss wrestler Claudio Castagnoli. Regal left AEW in November 2022, but the group continues to use its original name in honor of him. They are noted for their gimmick of targeting those they believe are not dedicated enough to professional wrestling, seeing extreme violence as a beautiful thing or a rite of passage, outnumbering their opponents, stabbing them with screwdrivers, and spilling blood during their matches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forbidden Door (2022)</span> All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 2022 Forbidden Door was the inaugural Forbidden Door professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and supershow co-produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and the Japan-based New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). It took place on June 26, 2022, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, and was the first AEW/NJPW co-promoted event. It was the first professional wrestling pay-per-view held at this venue since Spring Stampede in 2000, which was produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Before Dishonor (2022)</span> Ring of Honor pay-per-view event

The 2022 Death Before Dishonor was the 19th Death Before Dishonor professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). It took place on July 23, 2022, at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. It was ROH's first live event under the full ownership of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) president Tony Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Final Battle (2022)</span> 2022 Ring of Honor pay-per-view

The 2022 Final Battle was the 21st Final Battle professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). It took place on December 10, 2022 at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. It was ROH's second live event under the full ownership of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) president Tony Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supercard of Honor (2023)</span> 2023 Ring of Honor professional wrestling event

The 2023 Supercard of Honor was the 16th Supercard of Honor professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). It took place on March 31, 2023, at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California. Wrestlers from ROH's parent promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and partner promotions New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) were also featured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Before Dishonor (2023)</span> Ring of Honor pay-per-view event

The 2023 Death Before Dishonor was the 20th Death Before Dishonor professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). It took place on July 21, 2023, at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WrestleDream (2023)</span> 2023 All Elite Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 2023 WrestleDream was the inaugural WrestleDream professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It took place on October 1, 2023, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, marking AEW's first PPV to be held in the state of Washington. The event was a tribute show in honor of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) founder Antonio Inoki; it took place on the one-year anniversary of his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worlds End (2023)</span> All Elite Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 2023 Worlds End was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It was the inaugural Worlds End event and took place on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on Long Island, marking the company's first PPV to be held in the state of New York. The event featured the final of the inaugural Continental Classic to crown the inaugural AEW Continental Champion, and subsequently, AEW's first "American Triple Crown Champion".

References

  1. ↑ "Jay Briscoe passes away at 38-years-old". Ring Side News. January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Mark Pugh, Caprice Coleman & parents of Jamin Pugh speak at funeral service". PostWrestling.com. January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Thomas, Jeremy (January 18, 2023). "Spoilers For ROH Jay Briscoe Tribute Show". 411 Mania. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  4. ↑ Rose, Bryan (January 18, 2023). "AEW to tape ROH Jay Briscoe tribute show following Dynamite". Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ Tessler, Colin (January 18, 2023). "ROH Jay Briscoe Celebration Of Life Spoilers (Taped On 1/18)". Fightful.com. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ Lee, Joseph (January 19, 2023). "ROH Planning Second Jay Briscoe Tribute Show, WBD Reportedly Didn't Allow Tributes On Dynamite". 411 Mania. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Wrestling Observer Radio: Jay Briscoe, Nick Khan, Slapfighting, Dynamite and NXT, more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  8. ↑ Aftab, Manik (January 20, 2023). "Michael Cole Pays Respect to Jay Briscoe During WWE Smackdown". Ringside News. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  9. ↑ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.