Report: Tony Khan "Pushed Hard" For AEW's Jay Briscoe Tribute
Warner Bros. Discovery were "dead against" AEW's Jay Briscoe Tribute, but Tony Khan stepped in.
Tony Khan had to "push really hard" to get permission to run last night's Jay Briscoe tributes on AEW Dynamite.
Dave Meltzer reported as much on Wrestling Observer Radio, stating that AEW's television network, Warner Bros. Discovery, were "dead-set against" the idea. On Khan, the AEW founder and CEO, Meltzer claimed "He pushed and pushed and I mean, he pushed really hard on this one - and got them to change their minds."
Last night's Dynamite featured a memorial video focused on Jay's career as a wrestler and life as a family man. Jay's brother Mark Briscoe then faced Jay Lethal in the main event, defeating one of his sibling's greatest singles rivals, then embracing the AEW locker room as a memorial graphic appeared ahead of the credits.
Warner Bros. Discovery remained against AEW honouring Briscoe through last week's Dynamite, on which wrestlers were restricted to their own subtle tributes. Afterwards, AEW/ROH taped a special 'Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life' show, which has since been uploaded to YouTube.
Jay passed away after a fatal car accident in Laurel, Delaware on Tuesday, 17 January. He was just 38 years old. 27-year-old Lillyanne Ternahan, whose vehicle collided with Briscoe's, also had her life taken in the crash.
Jay is survived by wife Ashley, son, Gannon, and two daughters, Gracie and Jayleigh, who were in the car with him at the time of the accident. Both Gracie and Jayleigh required surgery for their injuries.
For those in a position to help, the GoSendGo campaign to raise funds for Jay Briscoe's family remains active. Another has been set up for the family of Lillyanne Ternahan, who left behind two children.
Pro Wrestling Tees/Ring Of Honor have also launched a commemorative Jay Briscoe t-shirt, with 100% of the proceeds going to his family.