Hardcore pro wrestling legend and former WWE star Sabu passes away aged 60

Wrestling fans across the world woke up to shocking tragic news of Sabu, real name Terrence Brunk, passing away aged 60. The pro wrestling icon was known for his hardcore matches in Japan as well during his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). PW Insider first reported Sabu’s tragic passing and also mentioned that there wasn’t much information available behind the cause of death. 

Sabu’s final ever wrestling match was against Joey Janela for the Game Changer Wrestling promotion. Once the news broke each and every wresting fan as well as some of Sabu’s former colleagues expressed their shock. WWE posted a message on their website and gave their heartfelt condolences to the wrestlers family as well as friends. 

Sorry, my words are a little frazzled in this vid, I am trying to speak from my heart…I dunno what else to say. #RIPSabupic.twitter.com/o6ehKa0IjK

— taz (@OfficialTAZ) May 11, 2025

Former rival Tazz put out a short video on X sharing his grief at Sabu’s passing. The former ECW champion said, “I Come to you with a heavy heart right now, as you may have heard, the legendary, the great Sabu has passed away. Last night I believe at the age of 60, it breaks my heart.”

Sabu: Modern day hardcore wrestling legend 

Making his debut in the mid 1980’s after training under his uncle The Sheik, Sabu began his pro wrestling career with Big Time Wrestling. The promotion was owned by his uncle and soon Sabu was one of the key members of the promotion. In 1991, the wrestler moved to United States Wrestling Association followed by a brief stint with the then World Wrestling Federation where he wrestled a few dark matches. 

The wrestler also spent a few years in Japan with the Frontier Martial Arts wrestling. Paul Heyman’s revolutionary ECW then signed Sabu who then went onto achieve fame and success and also became the champion. His matches against Tazz, Rob Van Dam, and the legendary Terry Funk. In fact, one match between Sabu and Terry Funk was a barbed wire match. 

After years of wrestling for various promotions, Sabu soon signed for Total Nonstop Action (TNA). In 2006, the wrestler then signed for WWE as a part of the relaunched ECW brand but failed to take off. After his departure from WWE in 2007, the wrestler yet again went onto be part of many other promotions and also had a brief stint with All Elite Wrestling.