June 10, 2024 – Professional wrestling legend Sabu, known for his death-defying stunts and pivotal role in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), has died at the age of 60, according to PWInsider.com. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Born Terry Brunk, Sabu rose to fame in the 1990s as one of ECW’s most iconic hardcore wrestlers, earning the nickname “The Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal, Death-Defying Maniac.” His high-risk style—featuring barbed wire, tables, ladders, and chairs—helped define the extreme wrestling movement.
Sabu was a two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, a former ECW World Television Champion, and a three-time tag team champion. The nephew of wrestling legend The Sheik, he later had stints in WWE, TNA, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
After WWE acquired ECW in 2003, Sabu joined the company in 2006, competing in the revived ECW brand. He was part of the ECW Originals team that triumphed at WrestleMania 23 in 2007 before his release that same year.
Sabu wrestled his final match last month against Joey Janela. In 2023, he made two AEW appearances, including serving as special enforcer for a match between Adam Cole and Chris Jericho.
Tributes Pour In
AEW posted on X (formerly Twitter): “From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu gave everything to professional wrestling. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his fans.”
ECW alum and longtime tag partner Rob Van Dam honored Sabu with a simple pointing-finger emoji, referencing his signature pose.
Taz, another ECW star and current AEW commentator, shared an emotional video, saying: “I would not have had the career that I’ve had if it wasn’t for Sabu. That man got me over, and he didn’t have to… I’m gonna miss him immensely.”
Sabu’s influence on hardcore wrestling remains undeniable, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and fearlessness in the ring.
