A wrestling legend has passed away just weeks after his last match, leaving industry stars feeling "heartbroken."
Sabu, a highly regarded hardcore wrestler known for his time in ECW during the 1990s and a brief stint with WWE in the mid-2000s, has passed away at the age of 60. The cause of death has not been revealed, according to PWInsider.com. Sabu, whose real name was Terry Brunk, recently had his retirement match against Joey Janela last month, as reported by The New York Post. Renowned for his high-flying style and his participation in hardcore matches that featured tables, ladders, chairs, and barbed wire, Sabu earned the nickname “the suicidal, homicidal, genocidal, death-defying maniac.”
Sabu, the nephew of former wrestling star The Sheik, was a two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion. He also held the ECW World Television Championship and won tag team titles three times. As one of the prominent figures in hardcore wrestling, he gained recognition during the genre's rise in popularity in the 1990s. After a stint with TNA, Sabu joined WWE in 2006, following the company's acquisition of ECW and the launch of a new weekly show for the brand. He was part of the ECW Originals team that triumphed over The New Breed in an eight-man tag team match at WrestleMania 23 on April 1, 2007. However, he was released from WWE just a month later.
WWE expressed its sorrow over Sabu's passing, calling him "a pioneer of hardcore wrestling." Sabu, who also competed for WCW, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and AAA, wrestled in various independent promotions before making two appearances for AEW in 2023, including serving as the special enforcer in a match between Adam Cole and Chris Jericho. "AEW and the wrestling community mourn the loss of Sabu," the official AEW X account shared on Monday morning (AEST). "From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu dedicated himself to professional wrestling. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans." Rob Van Dam, a longtime wrestling star and former tag team champion with Sabu in ECW, paid tribute by posting an emoji of an index finger pointing up on his X account, a reference to Sabu's signature pose.
Taz, a notable figure from ECW who later joined WWE and is now an announcer for AEW, expressed his sorrow over Sabu's passing, stating, "This news breaks my heart." He added, "I wouldn’t have had the career I’ve been fortunate to have without Sabu. He helped elevate my career when he didn’t have to." In a video shared on X, Taz described Sabu as "a great heart and soul" and emphasized, "I’m going to miss him immensely."
WWE expressed its sorrow over Sabu's passing, calling him "a pioneer of hardcore wrestling." Sabu, who also competed for WCW, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and AAA, wrestled in various independent promotions before making two appearances for AEW in 2023, including serving as the special enforcer in a match between Adam Cole and Chris Jericho. "AEW and the wrestling community mourn the loss of Sabu," the official AEW X account shared on Monday morning (AEST). "From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu dedicated himself to professional wrestling. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans." Rob Van Dam, a longtime wrestling star and former tag team champion with Sabu in ECW, paid tribute by posting an emoji of an index finger pointing up on his X account, a reference to Sabu's signature pose.
Taz, a notable figure from ECW who later joined WWE and is now an announcer for AEW, expressed his sorrow over Sabu's passing, stating, "This news breaks my heart." He added, "I wouldn’t have had the career I’ve been fortunate to have without Sabu. He helped elevate my career when he didn’t have to." In a video shared on X, Taz described Sabu as "a great heart and soul" and emphasized, "I’m going to miss him immensely."
