Legendary Hardcore Wrestler Sabu Passes Away at 60
Terry Brunk, famously known in the wrestling world as Sabu, has passed away at the age of 60, as confirmed by both AEW and WWE on Sunday.
“From his battles wrapped in barbed wire to his unforgettable stunts of high-risk daring, Sabu poured his heart into the world of professional wrestling,” AEW shared on social media.
The somber announcement follows shortly after Sabu’s farewell match during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas, where he faced off against Joey Janela in the Spring Break 9 event curated by Janela himself.
“It was both a privilege and a delight to collaborate with Sabu for his final performance and to see him get the farewell he truly merited,” GCW owner Brett Lauderdale shared with ESPN, reflecting on Sabu’s last bout. “His entire life and career are worthy of celebration, and it is gratifying to know his final match truly represented Sabu’s essence. He has always been a legend, and his enduring legacy will be cherished by future generations.”
Sabu kick-started his wrestling journey under the guidance of his uncle, Ed “The Sheik” Farhat, carving out his reputation in the 1990s with ECW. There, he captured the audience’s imagination with his blend of aerial flair and extreme matches featuring barbed wire, chairs, tables, and more. During his career, he collected titles as a two-time ECW Heavyweight Champion, an ECW Tag Team Championship holder, and an ECW World Television Champion.
Notable rivalries with wrestling icons Rob Van Dam and Taz marked Sabu’s career. Beyond ECW, he showcased his skills in New Japan Pro Wrestling, WCW, and TNA, before a brief run in WWE during the 2000s following ECW’s acquisition by WWE.
Sabu also appeared at WrestleMania 23 in 2007, joining forces with the ECW Originals team to triumph over The New Breed in a tag team spectacle. However, he was released from WWE a month later. Afterward, he appeared across the independent scene and made a noteworthy appearance in AEW in 2023, acting as a special enforcer during a bout between Chris Jericho and Adam Cole.
At this time, Sabu’s cause of death has not been made public.