Jay Briscoe (Jamin Pugh) passed away earlier this year after being involved in a car accident. Briscoe and the other driver, 27-year-old Lillyanne Ternahan, were pronounced dead at the scene after a head-on collision. Jay wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, but his kids were.
Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Mark discussed how he is still adjusting to life without his brother. He said,
“There are reminders of him everywhere, but it’s the random ones that hit me hardest. You know what’s been the toughest? The drive to the airport. At first I didn’t think about it. Then 45 minutes into the drive, I’d be balling. I’m getting used to it. It’s like our new normal. But when something catches me off guard, that’s when it hits me.”
“It feels like he’s still with us in spirit and in our hearts. We’ve all bonded together. In a strange way, tragedy comes with beauty. I pick up his kids for school every morning. When we’re all together, it makes my heart feel so good.”
Mark feels like his brother is watching every promo and match in AEW/ROH. He said,
“I know exactly, after every match, what he’d say to me. Jay wanted me to be the best. The way he’d critique me, I still hear that voice in my head. Sometimes, my rebellious nature would show in our sibling rivalry–if he said I should do something one way, then I’d say no, I’m going to do it this way. So my mindset has changed there. He was pretty much always right. It’s been 22 years straight of wrestling. Me and him. Always me and him. I like to think he’s still watching every single match and every single promo. It’s a crazy journey, man.”
