Sabu, Hardcore Wrestling Legend, Passes Away at 60 Years Old

Extreme Wrestling Legend Sabu Passes Away at 60

The wrestling world mourns the loss of Terry Brunk, better known as Sabu, an iconic figure of the hardcore style. AEW and WWE confirmed on Sunday the death of the wrestler at the age of 60. “From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu gave it his all to professional wrestling,” AEW expressed on social media. The news comes just weeks after Sabu participated in a 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 percent authentic Sabu. He is and was a legend, and his legacy will live on for generations,” said Brett Lauderdale, owner of GCW, about the promotion of Sabu’s last match.

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Sabu. A true legend of the sport. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans. pic.twitter.com/Jb9y8c8L4Z

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 28, 2024

Sabu began his wrestling career under the tutelage of his uncle Ed “The Sheik” Farhat, and made a name for himself during his time in ECW in the 1990s. There he combined aerial acrobatics with ultraviolent matches that included barbed wire, chairs, tables and much more. He was a two-time ECW champion, ECW tag team champion and ECW world television champion. Sabu starred 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 participated in WrestleMania 23 in 2007, being 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 circuit, Sabu made an appearance in AEW in 2023 as a special referee for a match between Chris Jericho and Adam Cole. The cause of Sabu’s death has not been revealed.