More than 3 weeks after his retirement match, ECW Original and Wrestling Legend Sabu passed away today at the age of 60. Like many wrestlers who have been “eating, breathing, and sleeping” wrestling, Sabu said goodbye to this world like he said goodbye to the rings.
Sabu, real name Terry Brunk, was widely regarded as one of the most innovative and fearless performers of his era. The wrestler was a three-time World Heavyweight Champion and held the ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice and the NWA World Heavyweight Championship once.
Even in his last ever match, at age 60, Sabu gave the crowd everything. He didn't slow down for anyone, not even himself.
What a crazy and established wrestling career he's had, poetically ending his final match ever at the ECW (2300) arena just a few weeks ago.
RIP 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ONS8C7qtXH
— Wrestlelamia.com (@wrestlelamia) May 11, 2025
Like WWE says, “If Tommy Dreamer was the heart and soul of ECW, then Sabu was its raw nerve.” Trained by his uncle, Ed “The Sheik” Farhat, he was initially trained to be a technical wrestler.
And he was in the 1980s and 1990s as he was trying to make a name for himself all over the USA and Canada. Sabu made three appearances for the World Wrestling Federation in 1993, but everything changed for him when he started to wrestle for FMW in Japan.
While wrestling for FMW, Sabu received many scars on his arms and torso, which made him famous. He confirmed they were a result of numerous hardcore matches he was involved in, including participating in over two dozen no-rope barbed wire death matches.
His career will always be intertwined with ECW. From 1993 to 1995, the “Saudi Madman” broke dozens of tables and became “The Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal, Death-Defying Man Known to the World.” he will always be remembered as.
After appearing in NJPW, WCW (where he trailblazed the Tables, Ladders and Chairs Matches wth Bill Alfonso) and in Japan, he would come back to ECW. For 5 years, he had turned the company into a Hardcore Heaven.
AEW and the wrestling world mourns the passing of Sabu.
From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu gave everything to professional wrestling.
Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans. pic.twitter.com/JpgbYj2KKl
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 11, 2025
In the 2000s, Sabu worked for WWE, TNA Wrestling, AAA, AEW, and many more worldwide. On April 18, 2025, Sabu wrestled his retirement match, taking on Joey Janela in a no-ropes barbed wire match, at GCW Joey Janela’s Spring Break 9.
Sabu’s legacy is gigantic. He was able to mix high-flying and hardcore wrestling. Some of his moves included using a steel chair, like the Air Sabu, the Arabian Facebuster, or the Arabian Skullcrusher. “The Human Highlight Reel” was a silent man but a rowdy character. Sabu will always be remembered in wrestling’s history as a revolutionary wrestler.
His character rarely spoke; his actions did the talking. His remarkable appetite for competition was infectious. Sabu has paved the way for generations of hardcore talents all over the world. The only way to thank him is to keep on spreading the hardcore message he had never stopped delivering with his heart, body, and soul.
He was an outlaw and a gamechanger.
He inspired so many that stepped inside a GCW ring and he will continue to inspire for generations to come.
His legacy will last forever and he will never be forgotten.
Rest in Peace, and…
Long Live SABU ☝️ pic.twitter.com/xSQuNwo1n1
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) May 11, 2025
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