Sabu, probably the most well-liked hardcore wrestlers throughout his run with ECW within the Nineties earlier than a quick run with WWE within the mid-2000s, has died.
He was 60. A reason for dying has not been disclosed, in accordance with PWInsider.com.
Sabu, actual title Terry Brunk, had his retirement match towards Joey Janela final month, The New York Submit reviews.
A excessive flyer who grew to become well-known for his work in hardcore matches that includes tables, ladders, chairs, barbed wire and extra, Sabu grew to become referred to as “the suicidal, homicidal, genocidal, dying–defying maniac.”
Sabu, the nephew of former wrestling star The Sheik, was a two-time ECW world heavyweight champion, additionally successful their world tv championship and capturing tag workforce gold thrice.
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He was one of many faces of hardcore wrestling as its reputation elevated within the ’90s.
After a run with TNA, joined WWE in 2006 when the corporate, which had beforehand bought ECW, launched a brand new weekly present for the model.
Sabu was a part of the ECW Originals workforce that defeated The New Breed in an eight-man tag workforce match at WrestleMania 23 on April 1, 2007. He was launched by WWE a month later.
WWE stated in a press release it was “saddened” by Sabu’s dying and described him as “a pioneer of hardcore wrestling.”
Sabu, who has additionally made appearances for WCW, New Japan Professional-Wrestling and AAA, wrestled in varied impartial promotions earlier than making two appearances for AEW in 2023, which culminated with him being the particular enforcer for a match between Adam Cole and Chris Jericho.
“AEW and the wrestling world mourns the passing of Sabu,” the official AEW X account posted on Monday morning (AEST).
“From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu gave every part to skilled wrestling. Our ideas are along with his household, his buddies and his followers.”
Rob Van Dam, a longtime wrestling star who was a tag workforce champion with Sabu in ECW, merely posted an emoji of an index finger pointing up on his X account, a nod to Sabu’s signature pose.
Taz, one other ECW standout who labored for WWE and is at the moment an announcer for AEW, stated the information of Sabu’s dying “breaks my coronary heart”.
“I’d not have had the profession that I’ve had, and I’ve been blessed to have, if it wasn’t for Sabu. That man received me over, and he didn’t need to get me over, and he did,” Taz stated in a video posted on X.
“An excellent coronary heart and soul. I’m gonna miss him immensely.”
This story initially appeared on The New York Submit and has been republished with permission.