The wrestling world is mourning the lack of Sabu, a pioneer of hardcore wrestling who made his identify in ECW and later the WWE, whose passing was introduced on Sunday, Could 11, at 60 years previous.
WWE confirmed the information on X, writing, “WWE is saddened to study that Terry Brunk, identified to wrestling followers as Sabu, has handed away. WWE extends its condolences to Sabu’s household, mates and followers.”
AEW additionally paid tribute, posting on X, “From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu gave all the pieces to skilled wrestling. Our ideas are along with his household, his mates and his followers.”
A explanation for loss of life has not but been revealed.
AEW and the wrestling world mourns the passing of Sabu.
From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu gave all the pieces to skilled wrestling.
Our ideas are along with his household, his mates and his followers. pic.twitter.com/JpgbYj2KKl
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) Could 11, 2025
Born on December 12, 1964, in Staten Island, New York, Sabu started his wrestling profession within the mid-Eighties, the place he was skilled by his uncle, Ed “The Sheik” Farhat. After acting on the impartial circuit for a number of years, he made three appearances in non-televised matches for the WWE (then the World Wrestling Federation).
Nevertheless, it was throughout his first tour of Japan in 1991 that the true legend of Sabu was born. Wrestling for Frontier Martial–Arts Wrestling (FMW), Sabu would take part in over two dozen no-rope barbed wire loss of life matches, leading to scars throughout his arms and torso and cementing him as one of many world’s premiere hardcore wrestlers.
Relive the best and most excessive moments from the legendary Sabu: https://t.co/kduC6KOlor pic.twitter.com/L73Z5ta7b1
— WWE (@WWE) Could 11, 2025
Sabu later introduced this hardcore model stateside when he joined ECW (Excessive Championship Wrestling) in 1993. He rapidly grew to become a essential occasion star, profitable a number of championships and embarking on iconic feuds with the likes of Shane Douglas, Taz, Mick Foley, and Rob Van Dam.
After ECW closed down in 2001, Sabu continued to make his mark within the impartial scene earlier than signing with Whole Nonstop Motion Wrestling (TNA) in 2002, the place he wrestled till 2006.
As soon as he left TNA in 2006, he had a quick stint in WWE as a part of the corporate’s revival of the ECW model. He competed at WrestleMania 23 in Detroit, Michigan, and wrestled John Cena in a memorable conflict on the Vengeance pay-per-view in June 2006.
Sabu has one of the vital embellished careers in pro-wrestling historical past, having appeared in virtually all the largest promotions on the earth, together with WWE, WCW, ECW, New Japan Professional-Wrestling, AAA, CMLL, and extra lately, AEW.
He slowed down lately however returned on April 18, 2025, for what was billed as his ultimate match, taking up Joey Janela at Sport Changer Wrestling in a barbed-wire loss of life match.
Following the information of his passing, a lot of Sabu’s followers and mates throughout the wrestling trade paid tribute.
“Sabu was as irreplaceable in my life as he was within the trade. You all understand how essential he was to my profession, and you understand how a lot he meant to me personally,” wrote Rob Van Dam. “He’s been an incredible affect since I used to be 18 years previous… Studying to be an grownup, whilst you’re within the loopy surroundings of this enterprise can go a number of other ways… Sabu helped make me the wrestler I’m, the particular person I’m, and I’ll all the time be pleased with that and grateful.”
Matt Hardy wrote, “Sabu was a trailblazing groundbreaker who performed a serious position within the growth of what a professional wrestling match could possibly be. The truth that tables are generally utilized in professional wrestling is due to Terry Brunk & how he made an inanimate object like a desk a should see element in his match. Sabu was closely influential on at the moment’s present model, regardless that his contributions are nonetheless underneath appreciated by most.”
“No one made me need to be a wrestler greater than Sabu,” added AEW star Mark Briscoe. “R.I.P. to a real hardcore legend.”
WWE star Sami Zayn wrote, “This can be a intestine punch. I used to be pushing this agenda once more a number of weeks in the past after Sabu had his ultimate match. RIP Sabu. Certainly one of a sort, absolute legend, and a real recreation changer for skilled wrestling.”
You’ll be able to take a look at extra tributes beneath.
NJPW is deeply saddened to study of the passing of former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Sabu on the age of 60.
Our ideas and deepest sympathies go to Sabu’s household, mates and followers.
In memoriam:https://t.co/vmhIFqd8kG pic.twitter.com/aLtP617hxU
— NJPW World (@njpwglobal) Could 12, 2025
Relaxation in peace Sabu, an absolute LEGEND.
His reminiscence and inspiration will dwell on and make individuals really feel for years to return & there’ll by no means be one other. pic.twitter.com/vjIwwcT3Lu
— Masha Slamovich マーシャ・スラモビッチ (@mashaslamovich) Could 11, 2025
Again within the WrestleCircus days, I cosplayed Sabu. Wrestling as him was such a blast.
We had been on so many exhibits collectively. At all times quiet and good to me. Trying by my photographs, it seems we by no means bought one collectively or that I can discover..
people take the rattling image 💔 RIP pic.twitter.com/VB3a6G0smm— Leva Bates (@wrestlingleva) Could 12, 2025
I wrestled Sabu in 2019 a number of months after he had a hip alternative. He springboard twister ddt’d me out of my boots.
It was wild!
Then he wished to stab me with a spike for a bit however we figured it out.
RIP Sabu
Certainly one of only a few who can say they modified your complete trade. pic.twitter.com/X9P1Cot8Aq
— Josh Alexander (@Walking_Weapon) Could 11, 2025
RIP Sabu
Considering of him and people who liked him.
-AA pic.twitter.com/BdEehkMkVr
— Arn Anderson (@TheArnShow) Could 12, 2025
Relaxation in Peace Sabu. I had the great fortune to wrestle him a number of occasions, one extraordinarily memorable match in MLW the place he launched my brow to his metal spike. I used to be entranced by his Arabian Moonsault & tried my greatest to excellent it. Certainly one of a sort, gone too quickly.
🙏🏻❤️— Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels) Could 11, 2025
All through his profession, Sabu wrestled in ECW, WCW, WWE, TNA, AAA, AJPW, NWA, FMW, NJPW, amongst many others on TV pic.twitter.com/MmElMwRPqa
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) Could 11, 2025
I bear in mind what issues had been like earlier than Sabu appeared on my radar in 1993. In contrast to Cactus, Eddie, Terry, and so on, he grew to become an indie star purely off of tape buying and selling and phrase of mouth. Modified the sport, and for a number of years was probably the most thrilling wrestler on the earth.
— The Nice Brian Final (@GreatBrianLast) Could 11, 2025