wrestling / Columns

Jay Briscoe Talks Samoa Joe’s Return, ROH’s Future, More

February 26, 2015 | Posted by Brian St. Denis

This Sunday, ROH is live on traditional pay-per-view with their 13th Anniversary show and does it look excellent. From top to bottom, from title matches to Bullet Club, this is bound to be as good as NJPW was on 1/4. I thought, what a perfect way to make MY debut here on 411mania than to go and sit down with ROH Champ, Jay Briscoe. We had a few cold beers, I bummed a smoke, and had this conversation…

B: At just 31 years old, the same as me I may add, you are entering your prime as a pro wrestler. And you’ve done it all in ROH. What other goals do you have in the wrestling business?

JB: I aint done it all yet man. I still got plenty of goals in ROH. My goal is to be the baddest motherfucker ever.

B: ROH has been around for 13 years and you’ve been there from day one. How have you seen the company evolve over the past 13 years?

JB: I seen it go from small rec halls to live Pay Per View this sunday. Ive seen everyone walk into ROH wanting to make it the best and we damn sure done that.

B: Where do you see ROH, and more importantly, Jay Briscoe, in the next 5 years?
JB: I see ROH being the best that it can be. I see us bigger and better than ever within 5 years. In 5 years you gonna be talkin about how Jay Briscoe aint been beat for the past 7 haha

We laughed and laughed, then I made some inappropriate joke about Chyna twerking and Jay slapped the cigarette I had been smoking out of my hand.

B: What did Gabe Sapolsky mean to your career development early on in your ROH run & how is your relationship with Gabe now?

JB: Gabe was cool man. He gave me and my brother an opportunity to shine. He was very instrumental in our growth and we’ll always appreciate him. I aint talked to him in a minute man, i hope he is doin good.

B: What are your thoughts on the exclusivity of Ring of Honor talent contracts?

JB: You hear me complaining? My family is eaten right.

Then I asked why we were drinking Natural Light beer and he slammed a can against his head and told me it was by choice, not necessity. I stopped speaking out of turn.

B: Holding the ROH Championship has symbolized who the best pro wrestler in the world is…and is a huge addition to your resumé. What does it mean to you to be ROH World Champion?

JB: Anybody whoever gets into this always dreams of being the world champion. It means everything to me. I look at that championship sometimes and think man I done some real cool shit.

B: At one point, you and your brother Mark were on the radar as potential signees to WWE. How close were you to jumping to WWE?

JB: You’d have to ask them how close we were. We don’t stress about that stuff man.

B: Most wrestlers have the dream to one day headline WrestleMania. Is that Jay Briscoes ultimate dream?

JB: Most you said, but me I live my dream. Im the World Champion of Ring of Honor. We got the best talent in the world and being able to be the top dog there is something real special.

B: Concussions have been a hot topic in wrestling and sports overall for the past few years. How has concussion awareness changed your in ring style?

JB: Man a lot, when you are younger you feel like you cant be touched, youre invincible. Check my history, I did some crazy shit, but now man its everywhere you really gotta adjust watch for that stuff. I have a lot of life to live you know man?

I said tell me about it, and then I polished off the rest my eight.. I’m just kidding!

B: Pro wrestling has, overall, moved away from gratuitous amounts of blood used in the ring. What are your thoughts on using blood to heighten the drama of a pro wrestling match?

JB: Hey man its like movies. Some people like drama, some people like action. Its all in personal choice. As long as its smart and safe, I aint got no issue with it.

Samoa Joe

B: Your thoughts on Samoa Joe being back in ROH?

JB: I know that big sumbitch gonna be coming for me. I’m happy as hell he is back. We got some unfinished business

B: Word Association, first word that comes to mind…

1. CM Punk – Determined
2. Daniel Bryan – you’re gonna kick your fuckin head kicked in
3. Vince McMahon – Cesar
4. Michael Bennett – Asshole
5. Adam Cole – Bitch
6. Kevin Steen – Crazy
7. Jim Cornette – Legend

I thanked Jay for sitting down with me, drinking some beers with me, smoking some cigarettes with me and talking about pro wrestling with me. I look forward to the PPV this Sunday as I will be ordering it on Comcast and suggest you do the same. You can follow me on Twitter @spinitB and I like to say thank you to 411Mania for this opportunity to be a part of the family! -B