The wrestling community is mourning the loss of Terrence Brunk, better known to fans as the former ECW Champion, Sabu.
As reported by PWInsider, Sabu passed away at the age of 60. Details regarding the cause and time of death are still unclear. This news follows just weeks after the hardcore wrestling icon competed in his final match during WrestleMania weekend. In his retirement bout, Sabu triumphed over GCW star Joey Janela in the main event of the ninth annual Joey Janela’s Spring Break.
A nephew of Detroit wrestling legend and hardcore innovator, The Sheik, Sabu made his professional debut in 1985, primarily wrestling in various midwestern U.S. territories. After a short stint in WWE and several matches in Japan’s FMW, Sabu joined the rebellious ECW promotion in the mid-’90s.
He quickly became a pivotal figure in the hardcore movement that ECW embodied. The promotion, along with Sabu’s high-risk style, has had a lasting impact on the wrestling industry.
Hardcore Wrestling Icon SabuHis memorable rivalries with Rob Van Dam and Taz made him a legend in tape trading circles and even led to brief appearances in WCW before he returned to ECW for the rest of the company’s existence.
Following the closure of ECW, Sabu continued wrestling on the independent circuit and made appearances in TNA Wrestling during the 2000s. In 2006, when WWE revived ECW as a third brand, they brought back ECW originals like Sabu and The Sandman.
This period included a high-profile match where Sabu faced WWE’s top star, John Cena, at the 2006 Vengeance event. His time in WWE’s ECW was short-lived, as he left in 2007 to return to the independent scene, where he continued to compete until his retirement match on April 18.
The staff at Wrestling Inc. extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Terry Brunk.