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Ring of Honor Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life
Our commentary team is Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman.
The show starts with a montage of family pictures of Jay as a kid all the way to being a father set to music.
Wheeler Yuta (Ring of Honor Pure Champion) vs Hagane Shinno is a pure rules match
The three judges are Jerry Lynn, BJ Whitmer, and Dean Malenko
They start with the handshake. They lock up collar and elbow and Yuta is able to take Shinno with an arm bar. Shinno works his way up and Yuta takes him down with a headlock. Yuta moves it to a wristlock. Shinno hits a series of kicks and Yuta is whipped into the ropes and when he comes off Shinno gives him a kick to the midsection. Shinno keeps up pressure with kicks.
Yuta is able to get an Angle slam for a two count. Yuta starts working on the knees, and locks in an inverted calf cutter. Yuta turns it into a backbend with a bridge to increase the pressure and Shinno uses his first rope break. Yuta gets a suplex for a two count. They trade forearms into kicks and then Yuta is able to get Shinno on his back and grabs his arms to pull them back for a stretch hold. Shinno is able to escape and they go back to forearm strikes.
Shinno gets a kick and comes off the ropes, only to be caught by Yutas with an Octopus stretch. Shinno is able to fight his way to the ropes for his second rope break. Yutas slams Shinno and goes to the top, and Shinno is on top with him. Shinno gets shoved down and Shinno is able to pop up and knock Yuta off the top to the floor. Shinno hits a moonsault from the second rope onto Yuta.
Shinno tosses Yutas back into the ring and goes to the top for a missile drop kick. Shinno goes for a splash into the corner, but Yuta catches him and hits a slam into a seat belt for a two count. Yuta goes to the top and misses a splash. Shinno hits a massive kick and follows with a Michinoku Driver for two. Both men struggle to get up. Shinno is up first and tries for a Russian leg sweep, but Yuts blocks it. Yuta is able to pick Shinno up, but Shinno reverses into a small package for two.
Shinno kicks Yuta out of the ring, but Yuta holds onto the rope for the rebound. Shinno is able to reverse another pickup into a small package for two. Yuta hits a big lariat and goes to the top. Yuta hits the dive this time for two. Yuta immediately hits the hammer and anvil elbows and before he can lock in a hold, Shinno is out.
Winner and still ROH Pure Champion: Wheeler Yuta
In Between matches we have eulogies, and the first is Samoa Joe. Lots of raw emotion in these segments. JOe talks about how it’s rare to meet truly exceptional human beings, and for the people who worked in the business, they knew that Jay was something special.
Next was Adam Cole, who talked about Jay helping him get ready to be a main event worker. They then show the build for the match between Cole and Jay for Final Battle before showing the match itself. Jay Briscoe vs Adam Cole from Final Battle 2014.
Adam Cole then comes to the ring. He says so many people believe that Jay Briscoe was one of the most incredible people you could meet. He says a lot of people have had their best matches with Jay. he talks about coming to Ring of Honor at 20 and how Jay helped him figure out who he was. He says he would not be in the ring if not for Jay. He then talks about Jay as a friend, and how he instantly made the room better. He said that Jay was always grateful to everyone.
He then talks about how Jay loved his family. He then tells Mark and the Briscoe family that he loves them, he is there for them and he is so sorry for their loss.
He then says that Jay loved pro wrestling with a fired up crowd and he gets the crowd to cheer as he wraps up.
Next is Matt Hardy and he wants to tell everyone that Jay is crazy in the ring, and he was so good at looking like a killer in the ring. But once you got back to the locker room, Jay was soft spoken and thankful. He said in their texts, they talked about being fathers. He asks us to keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.
Marina Shafir vs The Already In The Ring Mighty Mayra
Shafir tosses Mayra around for a few minutes. She then locks on a Hammer lock on one arm and a wrist lock on the other and Mayra taps out.
Winner: Marina Shafir
We get a eulogy from Christopher Daniels. He talks about how Jay came into Ring of Honor, but never left. He says that Jay and Mark became the stalwarts of the locker room. He talks about their loyalty to ROH. He says that he can’t think of anyone who would be more appropriate to be on the Mount Rushmore of ROH. He says when he went into the ring with Jay, he would come out battered and bruised, but he wasn’t worried about it, just that he was in the ring with someone passionate about putting together the best match he could.
He says every moment of Jay’s career was 100 % driven and 100% real. And the only thing he did better than being a wrestler was being a father, a brother, and a man. He says Jay was the sweetest and kindest person. He tells his family thank you for sharing him with us. He says he will miss Jay more than he can express.
Next is a match with Jay Briscoe vs Christopher Daniels at Survivor of the Fittest 2016.
Eddie Kingston gives his eulogy and he says he doesn’t have any inspirational words. He says it’s not fair. He says he loves Jay and will miss him a lot. He says Jay will be missed because he’s just a good human being.
QT Marshall vs Eddie Kingston
QT asks for the code of honor. Eddie shakes his hand. Edeie then starts off dodging a strike from QT and delivers a series of his own. QT gets some offense in the corner, but Eddie whips him into the corner, and gives him a back body drop. Eddie then chops QT out of the ring, and follows him to the floor to keep up his attack. Eddie has fans hold QT for chops. He then tosses QT back into the ring, and QT kicks Eddie’s leg as he’s getting into the ring.
QT hits a slingshot into the bottom rope and then chokes him on the second rope. Eddie is able to fight back with shops and when they run the ropes, QT hits an elbow for a two count. QT gets a series of kicks on blows while Eddie is on his knees. Eddie starts taunting him and asking for the blows to be harder. Edeie gets to his feet and takes over with chops, machine gun chops in the corner and then kicks. Eddie gets a t-bone suplex for two.
QT is able to get a series of elbows to the back of Eddie and Eddie hits a back fist. Eddie locks on the dragon sleeper and QT taps out.
Winner: Eddie Kingston
Eddie grabs a sign from the crowd that reads “Reach for the sky, boy, Jay Briscoe forever.”
Austin Gunn tells a story of the first time he met Jay in the ROH Dojo, and he was helping set up a show. During a TLC match, Jay got a huge cut and he went to get the paramedics. They said they were off the clock. Austin asks for supplies and he goes to the locker room. Austin has the stuff and says I have the stuff to butterfly stitch him up and Jay didn’t want to do it because he had to catch a plane. Austin then stitched him up and they talked about family. He later praised the work he’d done stitching him up. He thanked Jay for accepting him.
Ryan Nemeth talks about how the ROH guys worked at OVW, and they were so welcoming. When the scariest guys in the locker room, the Briscoes were so kind, he knew it was where he belonged.
Stokely Hathaway talks about how he started in ROH as ring crew. He said the Briscoes treated him with kindness and respect. He talks about how Jay was the best wrestler, the friends and the best father he’s ever known.
Madison Rayne vs Athena (ROH Women’s Champion) is a Proving Ground Eliminator match
Madison starts with strikes and she knocks Athena down. Athena is up and gets a mule kick. They run the ropes and Madison gets a spinning head scissors, followed by a hip attack in the corner and a snap mare. Madison gets a sliding clothesline and Athena bails to the floor. Madison leaps for a flying crossbody on the floor and Athena hits a stalling vertical suplex on the floor.
As Madison is recovering, Athena taunts Skye Blue at ringside. Athena then tosses Madison into the barricade before tossing her into the ring. Athena hits a kick and then ties up Madison’s legs and lifts her for a stretch over her knees. Madison is able to roll out and cover for two. Athena then takes Madison down and mounts her for blows. Athena then wraps Madison’s arms from behind. Madison is up and Athena clubs her back down.
Athena then beats her down in the corner, whips her to the opposite corner and Madison is able to fight her way free. Madison tosses Athena out of the ring. Madison nails a kick while on the apron and then tosses Athena into the barricade. Madison tosses Athena into the ring and goes to the top for a flying cross body for two. They move to the apron, which I hear is the hardest part of the ring. Athena shoves Madison to the turnbuckle and then hits a side effort on the apron. Athena covers for two.
Madison is able to get a crucifix bomb for two. Athena is able to get a flatliner into the turnbuckle and then Athena goes to the top. Athena leaps and Madison hits a cutter for two. Madison picks up Athena and Athena bites her to break free. Athena gets in a kick and locks in a cross face and Madison has to tap out.
Winner: Athena
Athena then attacks Skye Blue by nailing her with the title.
BJ Whitmer says he’s known Jay for the last 20 years. He has endless memories with Jay, as well as seeing his family all the time at shows. He has trouble getting through his eulogy and he ends by saying he will love Jay forever.
Zane Decker, who is a producer for AEW and worked for ROH is next./ the first time he got to ROH, Jay and Mark made him feel like they have been friends for years. Anytime he worked with Jay, Jay took his notes and showed no ego. Jay made him feel appreciated. He will never forget how Jay made him feel and made him want to do better. He tells a story about taping during Covid, and he came in to watch matches with the wrestler and sat on the floor and Jay gave up his chair and said he wasn't allowed to sit on the floor. He talks about Jay’s religion and how he will see Jay in Heaven. Jay made him want to be a better man.
Brandon Cutler vs Juice Robinson
Juice is wearing Bullet Club gear and seems to be working heel as he shouts at the crowd on his way to the ring.
Juice gets an arm drag, then a hip toss, and then a body slam. Juice gets a side headlock and when Brandon shoots him off, he comes back with a shoulder tackle. Juice runs the ropes, and Bandon gets body slams and a drop kick. Brandon clothesline Juice out of the ring. As the ref is holding Brandon from getting out of the ring (???) Juice spits on him from the floor. This brings Brandon over again, and Juice nails Brandon with the cold spray.
Juice takes Brandon down and hits a series of head butts, followed by a vertical suplex. Juice hits a senton and covers for two. Juice locks on a rear chinlock on the mat. Brandon is able to get to his feet and Juice hits a knee to the midsection. They trade forearms. Brandon comes off the ropes with a shoulder tackle, an atomic drop and then hits the rip cord clothesline followed by an elbow for two.
Brandon grabs Juice for an airplane spin. When he puts Juice down, they are both dizzy. Brandon hits a straight right hand and he falls on Juice for a two count. When they get up, Juice gets a series of jabs.Juice hits Brandon’s mask, which hurts his fist. Juice grabs the cold spray and sprays his hand. The ref takes the spray, but Brandon has his own can and sprays Juice for a two count. They crowd is upset that Juice kicked out.,
Brandon goes to the top and Juice runs into the ropes to knock him down. Juice hits a cannonball and hits his DDT for the pin and the win.
Winner: Juice Robinson
Prince Nana says Jay is one of the greatest men he’s ever met. He says Jay was a real person, a giving person, and a loving person. He worked hard for his family and friends. He talks about how they started in ECWA and how they were family. He wishes his condolences to Jay’s family. He said being in Ring of Honor wasn’t complete unless Jay was there.
Yuka Sakazaki vs Sandra Moone
They shake hands and they trade arm bars. Yuka gets a kick in the corner and goes to the top and misses a kick from the top. Moone covers for two. Yuka rolls up Moone for two. Yuke then gets a sliding clothesline for two. Moone is able to get a two count as well. She lifts Yuka for a suplex and Yuka sneaks out the back. They run the ropes and Yuka hits a twisting brainbuster. Yuka then hits a spinning hammer lock slam and goes to the top. Yuka hits the magical girl splash for the pin and the win.
Winner: Yuka Sakazaki
They shake hands after the match as well.
We then get Jay and Mark Briscoe vs The Kings of Wrestling from Final Battle 2005.
The final eulogy is from Claudio Castagnoli. He doesn’t know what to say since he found out before his flight to the show. The news hit everyone hard because you expect to see people next time. He said he hadn’t seen Jay in ten years and they had been in a feud together for over a year. He says Jay was one of the nicest guys outside the ring. He said that Jay was always trying to get better, and you couldn’t be unhappy around Jay. He said the last time they were in the locker room, they sat and talked about his kids and the farm. He says it’s heartbreaking that he’ll never get to talk to Jay again, but honored that he got to work with him. He says we should remember people with a smile and gratefulness.
He talks about how in 2010, Papa Briscoe was involved in their match, and every time they talked was awesome and always smiles. He’s very sad he can’t hear Jay’s laugh and his voice.
Claudio Castagnoli (Ring of Honor Champion) vs Christopher Daniels
The code of honor is adhered to.
They circle the ring as they feel each other out for clocking up and Claudio grabs a side headline, and Daniel reverses it to an arm bar and forces Claudio down. Daniels turns it into a headlock and is fired off to the ropes. Claudio gets a headlock takedown. Daniels reverses it to a side headlock of his own as they get to their feet. They run the ropes and Clauido gets a shoulder tackle for a two count.
Daniels gets an arm drag and holds Claudio down. They work to their feet and run the ropes again and Claudio slams Daniels and then clotheslines him to the floor. Claudio sits in the ropes and invites Daniels back into the ring. Danoiels comes in on a different side and is able to get a wristlock. Claudio rolls out of it and then knocks Daniels down with a forearm. Claudio slams Daniels in the corner and whips him to the other side. Danials dodges a strike and drops to the floor to snap Claudio’s head on the top rope.
Daniels gets a clothesline. Daniels then drops Claudio over the top rope. He keeps up the pressure and locks on a reverse chinlock with Claudio’s arm trapped. Claudio tries to fight free and Daniels is able to club him as the break. Claudio gets a back body drop, but Daniels is able to lock in an STO, breaking when Claudieo moves him into a pin. Daniels drops Claudio on the top rope again, and follows it up by wrapping himself around Claudio in the ropes.
Daniels locks on a sleeper. Claudio is able to get to his knees with Daniels on his back. Claudio then struggles down. He gets to his feet and backs Daniels into the corner. Daniels resets and locks in a front sleeper hold. Clauudio gets to his feet and turns it into a vertical suplex. Both men take time to recover. Daniels starts with forearms and yells at Claudio to stay down. Claudio is able to strike back and starts with the uppercuts. Claudio gets a cover and a two count.
Claudio tries for the giant swing, but Daniels strikes his throat and rolls him up for two. Daniels leaps at Claudio from the second rope and turns it into a slam and a cover for two. Daniels calls for the BME, but Cluidio fights his way out. Daniels is able to break free for the BME and a two count. Daniels tries for the Angel’s Wing, but Claudio is able to rise up and get a back body drop. Daneisl uses it to roll up Claudio for two. Claudio is able to get a pop up upper cut for a two count.
Claudio is up first. Claudio is able to get the big swing. Cladio sets up for the neutralizer, but stops and turns it into a Jay Driller and covers for the pin and the win.
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli
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