The world of professional wrestling mourns the loss of Terry Brunk, better known as Sabu, at the age of 60. The news was confirmed on Sunday by All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-stakes moments, Sabu gave it his all to professional wrestling.
AEW
The news arrives a few weeks after Sabu participated in his retirement match during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas, facing Joey Janela at the Joey Janela’s Spring Break 9 event.
It was an honor and a pleasure to work with Sabu one last time and to be able to give him the farewell he deserved. His life and career deserve to be celebrated and it’s refreshing to know that his last match was 100% authentic Sabu. He is and was a legend and his legacy will live on for generations.
Brett Lauderdale, promoter of Sabu’s last match
Sabu began his wrestling career under the tutelage of his uncle Ed “The Sheik” Farhat. He made a name for himself during his time in ECW in the 1990s, where he combined aerial acrobatics with ultra-violent matches that included barbed wire, chairs, tables, and more. He was a two-time ECW Champion, an ECW Tag Team Champion, and an ECW World Television Champion.
Sabu was involved in memorable rivalries with Rob Van Dam and Taz. The hardcore legend also competed in New Japan Pro Wrestling, WCW and TNA before having a brief stint in WWE in the 2000s after the company bought ECW.
Sabu performed at WrestleMania 23 in 2007, where he was part of the ECW Originals team that defeated The New Breed in a tag team match. He was released a month later. After touring the independent wrestling scene, Sabu made an appearance in AEW in 2023 as a special enforcer for a match between Chris Jericho and Adam Cole.
The cause of Sabu’s death is not known at this time.
