ECW Legend Sabu Dies 2 Weeks After Final Match
Legendary ECW star Sabu has sadly passed away at the age of 60.
The shock news, broken on 11th May by PW Insider’s Mike Johnson, comes less than four weeks removed from Sabu’s retirement match in Las Vegas, Nevada on 18th April. The two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion defeated Joey Janela on that night in a brutal No Rope Barbed Wire match at GCW Spring Break 9.
The popular star, whose real name was Terry Brunk, initially made his in-ring debut in 1985 after being trained by his Uncle, Ed ‘The Sheik’ Farhat, whom Sabu would posthumously induct into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2007.
Having wrestled for a number of promotions during the early years of his caree, including WWE and USWA, it wasn’t until signing for Philadelphia-based promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1993 that Sabu truly made his name.
It proved to be a highly successful stint in ECW, which saw Sabu lift the ECW World Championship, FTW Heavyweight Championship, ECW World Television Championship and ECW World Tag Team Championship.
After the collapse of ECW, Sabu would largely ply his trade on the independent circuit although he did manage to return to WWE for a further year in 2006 where he made his WrestleMania debut, teaming with fello ECW Originals Rob Van Dam, The Sandman and Tommy Dremear to defeat the ‘New Breed’ quartet of Elijah Burke, Kevin Thorn, Marcus Cor Von and Matt Striker.
Sabu’s final public appearance came during the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Reunion Show at the old ECW Arena, just one week before his untimely passing.
Tributes Pour In Following The Passing Of Sabu
Tributes have begun to flood in from the wrestling world following the announcement of Sabu’s passing.
‘Former ECW star Bully Ray led the tributes, describing Sabu as a ‘pioneer’,whilst the likes of Matt Cardona, Sami Zayn and The Blue Meanie have all been quick to pay their respects to a legend of the industry.
Everybody here at TJR Wrestling would like to offer their condolences to the family and friends of Sabu at this sad time.