The wife of a professional wrestler who died in a car crash Tuesday night asks for prayers for her daughter who remains in critical condition.
AEW star Jay Briscoe, 38, was reportedly returning home from his daughters’ cheerleading competition around 5:30 p.m. when he rammed another vehicle in his hometown of Laurel, Delaware.
He and another unnamed adult were killed in the impact, Delaware State Police reports, and his daughters Gracie and Jayleigh were taken to a local hospital. Gracie was said to be in critical condition at the time.
Ashley Pugh, wife of the wrestling star whose real name is Jamin Pugh, wrote on Facebook that 12-year-old Gracie is now undergoing surgery and may not be able to walk as Jayleigh recovers from “fairly serious injuries”.
She previously posted a photo of the family going to the cheer contest, buying cookies along the way.
Professional wrestler Jay Briscoe, right, died Tuesday night in a car accident while returning from his daughters’ cheerleading competition. They are pictured here on their way to the competition. He was 38 years old
His wife Ashley Pugh asked for prayers for their daughters on Facebook early Wednesday
Ashley, who works in the local school district, called for prayers on Facebook early Wednesday morning.
“We need prayers!” she wrote. “Gracie is on her way to back surgery.”
She added that “Jamin wants the whole world to pray for his little girl. WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER!!’
Ashley also asked for prayers for the doctors who operated on her baby daughter, telling her more than 1,000 Facebook friends, “Pray for her precious legs to move again!
“Pray for Jayleigh who has some pretty serious injuries but is stable and wrestling,” she continued, also asking for prayers for her son who was home at the time of the crash.
“Pray for strength for all of us! We have a long, long way ahead of us.’
Ashley had previously posted photos from her daughter’s Spirit of Hope cheer competition that day, with a selfie showing the Ring of Honor champion driving as she sat in the front passenger seat with her two girls in the back seat, already competing for the competition were dressed and styled.
The family had stopped at a local Crumbl Cookies before the competition and the girls were featured on pyramids and dancing their hearts out in their photos.
Jay Briscoe, real name Jamin Pugh, was remembered Wednesday as a dedicated father and star wrestler
Before the crash, Ashley posted photos to her 1,000+ Facebook friends from her family outing, where they stopped for a cookie break
Ashley shared a snapshot of the family’s sweet treats before her husband’s death and daughters’ hospitalizations
He and Ashley have three children, a son, Gannon, and daughters Jayleigh and Gracie
Gannon, pictured here with his father at a local soccer practice, was at home at the time of the crash
AEW owner Tony Khan announced Briscoe’s death on Twitter, writing: “Sadly Jamin Pugh has passed away.
“Known to fans as Jay Briscoe, he’s been a star on ROH for over 20 years, from the first show to today,” said Khan. “Jay and his brother Mark dominated ROH and have reigned as champions to this day. We will do everything to support his family. Rest in Peace Jamin.’
It remains unclear what led to the fatal accident, but according to an emergency log obtained by wrestling outlet Ringside News, a woman died in another vehicle at the scene.
CBS affiliate WBOC said that “due to the tragic incident, the Laurel School District says they will close schools on Wednesday, January 18” and that “schools will reopen on Thursday, January 19.”
Briscoe and his brother Mark won their first Ring of Honor Tag Team Titles in 2003
Briscoe, who was on a tag team with his brother Mark, was born in Maryland and long lived in Sussex County, Delaware, where his wife grew up.
He and Mark first made their mark on the Northeast indie scene in the early 2000s, working for smaller production companies like CZW and NWA Wildside.
But eventually the brothers became tag team stars, winning their first Ring of Honor tag team titles in 2003.
They would go on to win two Ring of Honor World Championships and also hold titles in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Impact Wrestling.
Last year, the duo were inducted into the Ring of Honor Hall of Fame after winning two consecutive belts.
They just began their 13th reign at December’s Final Battle by defeating FTR in a doubles dog collar match.
Together, the brothers were considered one of the best tag teams to never perform for WWE.
Mark has not yet commented on his brother’s death.
Mark Briscoe has not yet released a statement on the death of his brother and partner
Jay was born in Maryland but lived for a long time in Laurel, Delaware, where his wife grew up and worked at the local high school
But Jay remembered his peers in the Square Circle well after his tragic death.
Wrestling legend Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted, “An incredible performer who has forged a deep connection with wrestling fans around the world. My condolences to Jay Briscoe’s family and friends.’
Wrestling icon and NXT boss Shawn Michaels said, “On behalf of the @WWENXT community, I would like to extend our condolences to the Briscoe family for their loss.”
Dax Harwood, one half of the FTR tag team with Cash Wheeler, shared a shot after a tag team match his FTR team had against the Briscoe brothers. The two teams have had a number of acclaimed matches against each other over the past year.
Wrestling vet Frankie Kazarian said: “I can’t even begin to process this, I loved everything about my friend Jay Briscoe. His passion. His drive. His presence. Our wars in the ring. Especially how much he loved his family. I literally get sick to my stomach.’
Wrestler Christopher Daniels called the late wrestler “one of the toughest men I’ve ever had the privilege of sharing a ring with and he was a great brother, father and husband.”
He continued, “I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to know him and wrestle with him as often as I have. Rest in peace Jay, I love you.’
Briscoe was fondly remembered by his peers in the Square Circle after his tragic death
Wrestling legend Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted, “An incredible performer who has forged a deep connection with wrestling fans around the world. My condolences to the family and friends of Jay Briscoe’
Wrestling icon and NXT boss Shawn Michaels said, “On behalf of the @WWENXT community, I would like to extend our condolences to the Briscoe family for their loss.”
Briscoe’s colleague Dax Harwood shared a shot after a tag team match his FTR team had against the Briscoe brothers
ECW legend Tommy Dreamer also said he “knew Briscoe since he was a fan” and “watch him become a great wrestler, best tag team and real promo guy.
He added, “I was going to text him yesterday about the cost of eggs and I didn’t… I wish I had… Every time I saw her I said Luv me some Briscoes,” adding added: “Prayers for his family .’
The Uso Brothers of WWE said, “RIP to the homie Jay Briscoe. Condolences to your family. Rest in paradise uso.’
Brandi Rhodes said she was “deeply saddened by the loss of Jay Briscoe,” adding that “during my time at ROH, he was always the kindest to me.”
She continued, “My heart goes out to the whole family. I don’t have the right words but I just wanted to say that he was such a good man.
Brian “The Blue Meanie” Heffron said the news of Briscoe’s death was devastating because he’s known Jay since he was 15.
Other professional wrestlers expressed shock at his sudden death
“He and Mark are absolute sweethearts,” he said. Rest In Peace Jay Briscoe!! My heart goes out to his family…..so sad…..’
Sean “X-Pac” Waltman said: “Like everyone else, I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Jay Briscoe. I’ve always enjoyed sharing a dressing room with him and his brother Mark. Incredibly nice & respectful. Sending all my love to Mark and her family.’
Chelsea Green said she was “grateful” for knowing Briscoe and recalled her experience at ROH.
“One of the first faces that greeted me on my first day at ROH and made me feel welcome was Jay Briscoe,” said Green. “My heart aches for his brother, his wife, his children and everyone who loved him. I’m grateful I got to know you, Jay… if only briefly.”