Hardcore Wrestling Icon Sabu Passes Away at 60 – The wrestling world is mourning the loss of hardcore legend Sabu, who has passed away at the age of 60. Details surrounding his passing have not yet been made public.
Born Terry Brunk, Sabu carved out a career defined by his unrelenting style and willingness to push the physical limits of professional wrestling. A nephew of WWE Hall of Famer The Sheik, Sabu debuted in the mid-1980s and soon became a household name in ECW during the 1990s. Known for his chaotic, high-risk offense and brutal matches involving tables, chairs, and barbed wire, he helped define an era of extreme wrestling.
Sabu was a triple crown champion in ECW, holding the ECW World Heavyweight, World Television, and World Tag Team Titles. His feuds with Tazz, The Sandman, Rob Van Dam, and Mick Foley are legendary, many of them redefining the boundaries of what was possible in a wrestling ring.
In 2006, Sabu joined WWE during its ECW revival and competed in high-profile matches, including a WWE Championship match against John Cena and a World Heavyweight Title match with Rey Mysterio. One of his most memorable WWE moments came at WrestleMania 23 in Detroit, where he teamed with Rob Van Dam, The Sandman, and Tommy Dreamer in a victorious effort as part of the ECW Originals.
After parting ways with WWE in 2007, Sabu continued to wrestle worldwide, earning the moniker of the “human highlight reel.” He remained active in the independent scene and made notable appearances in AEW in 2023. His final match came earlier this year during Spring Break over WrestleMania weekend, where he faced Joey Janela in a no ropes barbed wire match, marking the end of a storied in-ring career.
WWE released a statement acknowledging his passing, calling him “a pioneer of hardcore wrestling” and offering condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
Sabu’s contributions were also recognized when he was inducted into the 2024 Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame. In addition to his ECW accolades, he briefly held the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship and left a lasting impact on promotions like WCW, NJPW, TNA Wrestling, and numerous indies.
Sabu’s legacy will live on through the countless performers he inspired and the unforgettable moments he created. He was a trailblazer in hardcore wrestling and one of the most innovative risk-takers the sport has ever seen.
Several pro wrestling promotions and various WWE, AEW, TNA Wrestling and other pro wrestling stars and personalities have surfaced on social media to comment on the loss of another legend.
Sabu Passes Away at 60
