Mark Briscoe made his AEW debut on Wednesday night’s “Dynamite” under tragic circumstances. Just over a week after his older brother Jay’s fatal car crash, which also claimed another driver’s life and left Jay’s daughters seriously injured, Mark stepped into an AEW ring for the first time on what would have been Jay’s 39th birthday.
Mark faced fellow longtime Ring of Honor star Jay Lethal in the main event. The match’s climax saw Mark perform his signature Froggy Bow elbow drop from the top turnbuckle, driving Lethal through the timekeeper’s table. Back in the ring, Mark used the J-Driller, Jay’s finishing move, to secure the pinfall victory.
After the match, Mark spoke into a ringside camera, sending a heartfelt message to Jay’s children – Gracie, Jayleigh, and Gannon – telling them he loves them and to “keep your heads up.” He then addressed his late brother, Jamin, expressing his love.
As Mark celebrated his victory, many AEW locker room members and backstage crew, including Tony Khan, joined him on the entrance stage to applaud both Mark and Jay Lethal.
The main event was imbued with ROH aesthetics, featuring Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman joining Excalibur on commentary, and longtime ROH ring announcer Bobby Cruise handling the introductions. Earlier in the show, a video tribute to Jay Briscoe was aired, which you can watch the extended cut of below.