Wrestler Jay Briscoe has died at the age of 38 in a car accident.
According to reports in the US, the Ring Of Honor star was among two people killed in a car crash in Delaware on Tuesday.
Briscoe – real name Jamin Pugh – was described as an icon of professional wrestling who had dominated the Ring Of Honor promotion alongside his brother Mark.
In a tweet, Tony Khan, who owns All Elite Wrestling which took over Ring Of Honor in 2022, confirmed Briscoe’s death.
“Sadly, Jamin Pugh has passed away,” he wrote.
“Known to fans as Jay Briscoe, he was a star in ROH for over 20 years, from the first show until today.
“Jay and his brother Mark dominated ROH, reigning as champions to this day.
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“We’ll do whatever we can to support his family. Rest In Peace Jamin.”
Fans responded on social media, calling the news “unbelievably sad” and “crushing”.
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Ring Of Honor was founded in 2002 and quickly established the same exposure as Impact Wrestling and WWE.
The Briscoes won 12 Ring Of Honor World Tag Team Championships.
Hours before the fatal accident, Briscoe had tweeted a picture showing him and his brother celebrating their long reign as tag team champions.
In a statement, Ring Of Honor said “it is with a heavy heart that we mourn the tragic passing of Jamin Pugh” and “our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his fans”.
WWE star Matt Hardy tweeted he was “devastated” and “in shock” to hear about Briscoe’s death and how “honoured” he was to have worked with him.
He also wrote: “Jay was SO real. Jay loved his wife & kids more than anything & we shared that bond. I’m heartbroken for his family.”
WWE’s Triple H also used social media to pay tribute to Briscoe, calling him an “incredible performer”.
