Report: WWE NXT Scraps Segment Following Jay Briscoe's Passing

In heartbreaking news on Tuesday, January 17, it was confirmed that Jay Briscoe had passed away due to injuries sustained in a car accident. Briscoe was one week shy of his 39th birthday. 

Tony Khan first confirmed the news, tweeting: "Sadly, Jamin Pugh has passed away. 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. We'll do whatever we can to support his family. Rest In Peace Jamin."

Briscoe's passing prompted a segment to be pulled from WWE NXT. According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, The New Day planned to hold a funeral for Pretty Deadly's NXT Tag Team Title shot but the segment was scrapped by Shawn Michaels and the NXT Tag Team Champions after they found out about Jay's passing. Instead, NXT commentator Vic Joseph paid tribute to Briscoe during the show. 

"There was a planned NXT segment tonight where New Day would hold a 'funeral' for Pretty Deadly's title shot. When word of Jay Briscoe's passing emerged, New Day and Shawn Michaels nixed the segment, and Michaels added the Vic Joseph tribute of Briscoe to the show," Sean Ross Sapp tweeted.

Briscoe had a distinguished career inside the squared circle, both as a singles competitor and in a tag team with brother Mark Briscoe. Jay was a two-time ROH World Champion, as well as a 13-time ROH World Tag Team Champion. The Briscoes also held gold in New Japan, IMPACT, GCW, and CZW, among other promotions.