AEW star Mark Briscoe has spent the majority of his legendary, two-decade-plus career as one-half of one of the greatest tag teams of all time. However, in recent years, he has embarked on a new journey as a primarily singles competitor. In a recent interview, the multi-time ROH World Tag Team Champion opened up about the challenges of transitioning to a singles wrestler and his growing confidence in his new role.
Mark Briscoe on Adjusting to a New In-Ring Style
Speaking on the F’ Y’all Podcast, Mark Briscoe was asked about his journey as a singles star since the tragic passing of his brother and long-time tag team partner, Jay Briscoe. He explained that the biggest adjustment has been learning the different pacing and strategy that comes with wrestling one-on-one.
“Man, it’s been an interesting journey, you know what I mean? Like, at first, tag team specialist, like you said. It’s like… (a) tag team match, you’re going there guns blazing until you’re out of ammo. Then you tag out and you reload while your brother goes in there guns blazing until he’s out of ammo, tag out, you know what I mean?”
He contrasted that explosive, fast-paced style with the more deliberate nature of singles wrestling.
Learning the Cadence of a Singles Match
For Mark, the key to his successful transition has been learning how to manage his energy and control the flow of a match without having a partner to tag out to. He described it as a new way of thinking about in-ring psychology, one that he is becoming more and more comfortable with.
“So now it’s more of a thing of pace and tempo and just the cadence of the match and strategically knowing when you got to- you got to keep them lungs, you got to keep them lungs right. You know what I mean?” he explained. “But yeah, it’s one of them things, I’m starting to get a grasp on it and I’m starting to get more comfortable with it and man, I’m smelling that gold. Smelling that gold in them there heels.”
His comment about “smelling that gold” is a clear indication that he has his sights set on capturing his first major singles championship in All Elite Wrestling.
A New Chapter for a Legend
The Briscoe Brothers are widely considered to be one of the most decorated and influential tag teams of their generation, having won championships all over the world. For over twenty years, Mark Briscoe’s identity as a performer was inextricably linked to his brother, Jay. Since Jay’s passing in early 2023, Mark has bravely carried on their family’s legacy, embarking on a successful and emotional run as a singles competitor. He has become one of the most beloved and respected babyfaces on the entire AEW roster, with fans rallying behind him every time he steps in the ring. His recent victory over the highly-touted Ricochet on an episode of AEW Dynamite was a major statement, proving that he can hang with the very best singles wrestlers in the world.
As he continues to get more comfortable in his new role, Mark Briscoe is proving that he is far more than just a “tag team specialist.” He is a complete professional wrestler, and as he gets closer to “smelling that gold,” it seems to be only a matter of time before he has a major singles championship around his waist.
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