Jay Briscoe

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Jamin Dale Pugh (January 25, 1984 – January 17, 2023), better known as Jay Briscoe, was an American professional wrestler. He teamed with his brother Mark as the Briscoe Brothers and became a star in Ring of Honor (ROH). They won the ROH World Championship twice, the ROH World Tag Team Championship a record 13 times, and the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. They also held the Impact World Tag Team Championship and the IWGP Tag Team Championship in NJPW. In 2022, Jay and Mark were inducted into the ROH Hall of Fame.

Jay was trained by Eddie Valentine, Glen Osbourne, and Jim Kettner, and debuted on May 20, 2000, at age 16. The Briscoe Brothers became famous in ROH through the 2000s and 2010s, with memorable title runs and rivalries. Jay won the ROH World Championship in 2013 and again in 2014; in 2014, ROH’s world titles were unified in a ladder match.

Off the screen, Briscoe faced controversy for homophobic tweets in 2011–2013 and apologized, with supporters noting he later supported LGBTQ talent. He married Ashley Crothers Pugh in 2008, and they had three children.

Jay Briscoe died in a car crash in Laurel, Delaware, on January 17, 2023, at age 38. His death was announced by ROH owner Tony Khan. A funeral was held January 29 at Laurel High School, and tributes poured in from WWE, NJPW, ROH, and other promotions. On January 25, 2023, his brother Mark won a match on AEW Dynamite in a tribute to Jay. In 2023, wrestlers honored his legacy by paying tribute on title belts and in promos.