Mark Briscoe refuses to quit against Jon Moxley as their intense rivalry heads to a high-stakes confrontation at Fyter Fest. Following recent setbacks, Briscoe prepares to stand his ground in the ring, determined to answer both his critics and his family with a resounding show of resolve.
Recent Losses Stoke a Fire in Briscoe
The journey to Fyter Fest has been difficult for Mark Briscoe, who is recognized as a tag team legend with a storied 23-year wrestling career. After a tough defeat to Ricochet in a Stretcher Match at AEW’s Double or Nothing event, Briscoe sought redemption on Dynamite. Teaming with Willow Nightingale and “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Briscoe faced Jon Moxley, Gabe Kidd, and Marina Shafir, yet the effort resulted in another loss as he was submitted in the center of the ring and the referee called for the stoppage, marking a particularly bitter moment for him.
This defeat was more than a mark in the loss column—it became personal. The way Jon Moxley pressed his advantage left an impression not only on Briscoe, but on those closest to him. Soon after, it was announced on Collision that Briscoe and Moxley would settle the score at Fyter Fest, with pride and grit set to determine the outcome. The announcement quickly raised the emotional stakes and set the scene for a personal and potentially career-defining showdown.
Family Questions Challenge Briscoe’s Spirit
Briscoe’s determination was thrown into sharp relief when, returning home after the match, he faced questions from those he holds dearest—his own children. The sting of his sons asking if he had given up during his match against Moxley struck a chord, pushing him to dig even deeper and fueling his desire to disprove their doubts.
“I came home last week, Thursday morning, and my 5-year-old son, 4-year-old son trailing right behind him, 2-year-old son trailing right behind him, 1-year-old son trailing right behind him, my 5-year-old boy, he said, ‘Daddy, did you quit last night when that man was choking you? Did you quit?’ I said, ‘son, hell no, I ain’t quitting. I will never quit. No matter what, that’s not what we do. We don’t quit. It was a referee stoppage. That happens.’But now my kids are sitting there questioning me. They doubting me. ‘Daddy, did you quit?’ That hurt my heart more than anything that, more than anything that’s hurt my heart in a long time. I said, ‘no son, we don’t take the easy way out around here.’That’s what you’ve been doing, man. You’re so tough, you’re so hard, but you can’t do nothing on your own. You got your minions. You got Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir, but I see right through you. You can’t do it on your own. You need somebody to have your back. You don’t do it the hard way. You take the easy way out.Well, Mox, let me tell you something. That’s not what we do around here. That’s not how we do it. That’s not how them boys do it. 23 years, tag team wrestler. 13-plus-time tag team champion.I could have quit the minute that my brother moved on. My brother got up outta here and moved on up. I could’ve quit, I could’ve been done with this. But nah, trying to show my kids that ain’t no quit in me, ain’t no quit in us, that’s not how we do.So Moxley, you can try to take the easy way out all you want, but I’m a do it like a man, and Wednesday night, Imma have the wife line the kids up one by one by one by one in front the TV, they’re gonna watch daddy whoop a man’s ass. You understand what i’m saying? So be ready to man up.” —Mark Briscoe, Tag Team Legend
The doubts of his children—his 5-year-old son and his younger boys following close behind—were unfamiliar territory for Briscoe. He described a deep emotional hurt stemming not from physical defeat but from feeling that his children questioned his resolve. Their questions, “Daddy, did you quit?” have become a catalyst for Briscoe to prove his resilience both in the ring and as a father figure.
Briscoe Stands Alone Against Moxley’s Allies
Addressing Moxley directly, Briscoe pointed out Moxley’s reliance on allies like Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Marina Shafir, suggesting that while Moxley has always had backup, Briscoe’s path has been defined by grit and refusal to give up. He recalled his time as a 13-plus-time tag team champion and a career forged alongside his brother. The loss of his brother, he noted, could have ended his wrestling journey, but instead, he persevered, determined that there would be no quitting, and that’s the legacy he wants his children to inherit.
Briscoe shared his intent to use the Fyter Fest match as living proof to his family that giving up is not part of their story. He explained that his wife and children would be lined up watching as he faced Moxley, promising to show them, and the world, a fight that stands for courage over defeatism. For Briscoe, the bout is not just about victory; it’s about personal vindication and honors both his own history and the faith of his loved ones.
Fyter Fest Offers High-Stakes Matches Beyond Briscoe and Moxley
While much of the focus is on the battle between Briscoe and Moxley, Fyter Fest will host several other anticipated contests. Kenny Omega is set to defend the International Championship in a multi-competitor contest against Claudio Castagnoli, Brody King, and Mascara Dorada—escalating the level of competition. Additionally, “Timeless” Toni Storm, partnering with Mina Shirakawa, will oppose Skye Blue and Julia Hart, promising another highlight for the night.
The event brings together stars from diverse backgrounds, with the likes of Gabe Kidd, Mike Bailey, Marina Shafir, and Willow Nightingale all contributing to the evolving narrative of AEW’s ongoing storylines. The broader card features wrestlers recognized for their achievements and distinctive personas, ensuring Fyter Fest remains a night filled with unpredictability and tension.
The Emotional Stakes and What the Showdown Means
The showdown between Mark Briscoe and Jon Moxley stands out not only for its physical intensity but for its emotional layers. Briscoe’s path to this encounter has been shaped by personal adversity, public defeats, and the pressure of proving himself to his family, particularly his sons. Moxley, meanwhile, enters the contest with his own reputation for uncompromising aggression and the backing of allies like Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta.
With pride, legacy, and family validation on the line, Briscoe will attempt to demonstrate at Fyter Fest why he will not quit, regardless of the challenge before him. The outcome promises to resonate beyond the ring, affecting both careers and personal narratives. As the night approaches, fans and insiders alike will be watching to see if Briscoe can live up to his declaration and whether the bout marks a turning point in a rivalry marked by harsh words, deep-seated doubt, and the unrelenting pursuit of honor.
