By Victor Kanayo
A ‘hardcore’ professional wrestling legend, Terry Brunk, popularly known as Sabu, has passed away at the age of 60.
This was disclosed by the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in a statement.
Part of the statement reads: “WWE is saddened to learn that Terry Brunk, known to wrestling fans as Sabu, has passed away.”
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) also announced the news in a post on social media.
“From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu gave everything to professional wrestling,” AEW wrote on X.
“Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his fans.”
Sabu’s cause of death was not released, and it is not clear when he died.
Sabu and His Legacy
Sabu rose to fame while wrestling for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in the 1990s, where he was “a pioneer of hardcore wrestling, leaping from chairs and driving his opponents through tables and even barbed wire,” following in the footsteps of his uncle, Hall of Famer Ed “The Sheik” Farhat, WWE wrote.
As part of ECW, Sabu wrestled contemporaries like Rob Van Dam, Mick Foley and Taz. In a company known for pushing the envelope in terms of the risks wrestlers were willing to take, Sabu still managed to stand out.
He signed with WWE as part of the company’s revival of the ECW brand in 2006.
The next year, at WrestleMania 23, he and fellow ECW originals Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman defeated the New Breed in front of 80,000 fans in Detroit. He departed the company that same year.
Both before and after WWE, Sabu wrestled for top promotions across the globe, including New Japan Pro-Wrestling, AAA and CMLL, as well as dozens of other independent promotions.
Sabu’s final match took place on 18 April 2025 during WrestleMania weekend, where he faced Joey Janela in a no-ropes barbed wire match.
His last public appearance was at the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance reunion at Philadelphia’s historic 2300 Arena, formerly known as the ECW Arena.
