Mark Briscoe transitioned to singles competition following the tragic death of his brother Jay Briscoe in 2023, and he discussed the challenges of making the switch during a recent K&S WrestleFest signing.
Jay died in a car crash in Laurel, Delaware, on January 17, 2023, at the age of 38.
You can check out some highlights from Briscoe below:
On transitioning to a singles career: “As a rookie singles wrestler, I’m not trying to make excuses because I don’t condone losing. I’m not happy that I lost, ‘Oh, it’s my rookie season so it’s okay that I lost.’ No, it’s not okay that I am losing… I’ve just got to figure out the nuances of singles wrestling as compared to tag team wrestling. Don’t worry, I think 2024, ya’ll going to see big things from Sussex County’s favorite son.
On what he needs to work on as a singles wrestler: “Me and Jay could both be guns blazing 100 miles per hour, because I know once I’ve whopped a sufficient amount of ass, I know I can tag out and get a breather. In a singles match you don’t have that luxury, you don’t have that tag out options so it’s almost like I’ve gotta pace myself. I’ve still gotta whoop that ass, but we’ve gotta keep some gas in the tank.”
During a recent appearance on “Nerdtropolis” to promote the Death Tour Documentary, Chris Jericho advised young talents to compete in as many death matches as possible.
He said, “Do all of those types of matches you can do. Do a Death Tour. Track Tony Condello down and he probably still wants you to send a picture and a videotape, that’s how he used to do it. Send them your link. One of these tours, it will push you, but it will teach you so many lessons, not just about wrestling, but about life. You’ll be able to prove to yourself if you really want to do this. If you don’t want to do this, you’re not going to want to travel 16 hours in a cramped up freezing van across a frozen lake to get to a high school gymnasium in the middle of nowhere, set up the ring, wrestle a match, take the ring down, put your sleeping bag on the gym floor and eat a ham sandwich for 30 bucks. When you’re getting paid probably $50 for the night. That’s just how it is. Either you do it, and you take the benefits of it, or you just look at the reasons why you don’t want to do it and pack up your stuff and never get involved in wrestling again.”
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Mark Briscoe, a professional wrestler, recently opened up about the challenges he faced when transitioning to singles competition after the tragic death of his brother, Jay Briscoe. In a recent interview at K&S WrestleFest signing, Mark discussed the difficulties he encountered and his determination to succeed in his new career path.
Jay Briscoe passed away in a car crash in Laurel, Delaware, on January 17, 2023, at the age of 38. This devastating loss forced Mark to step out of the tag team wrestling dynamic he had been a part of with his brother and venture into the world of singles wrestling.
Mark acknowledged that as a rookie singles wrestler, he couldn’t make excuses for losing matches. He emphasized that he didn’t condone losing and was not satisfied with it. Despite being in his rookie season, Mark expressed his determination to improve and achieve great things in 2024. He assured fans that they would witness significant accomplishments from him as he navigates the nuances of singles wrestling.
One of the major adjustments Mark had to make was pacing himself during singles matches. In tag team wrestling, he and Jay could go all out, knowing that they could tag out and take a breather when needed. However, in singles competition, there is no luxury of tagging out, and Mark had to learn to preserve his energy while still delivering a powerful performance.
In another wrestling-related discussion, Chris Jericho, a renowned wrestler, advised young talents to participate in as many death matches as possible. He encouraged them to embark on a Death Tour, which involves traveling long distances, wrestling in various venues, and facing challenging conditions. According to Jericho, this experience teaches valuable lessons about both wrestling and life. It helps individuals determine their true passion for the sport and their willingness to endure hardships for it.
Jericho emphasized that the Death Tour pushes wrestlers to their limits and separates those who are truly committed from those who are not. It involves long hours of travel, cramped spaces, freezing temperatures, and minimal pay. Wrestlers must decide whether they are willing to endure these challenges or if they should reconsider their involvement in the wrestling industry.
In conclusion, Mark Briscoe’s transition to singles competition after the tragic loss of his brother Jay Briscoe has presented him with various challenges. However, he remains determined to succeed and improve as a singles wrestler. Meanwhile, Chris Jericho’s advice to young talents highlights the importance of pushing oneself and testing their commitment to the sport. Wrestling is not just about physicality but also about mental resilience and dedication.