Sabu Dead At 60 - ECW Legend Passes Away (WWE News)

Professional wrestling icon and innovator Sabu has died aged 60.

PWInsider reported first that 'The Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal' legend had passed away on May 11th. There had been no cause of death given at time of writing.

An Extreme Championship Wrestling original that also managed to get shots and/or runs for WWE, WCW, AJPW, NJPW, FMW, TNA and AAA, Sabu - real name Terry Brunk - was so electrifying at his 1990s peak that he had to be seen to believed based on images and stories from those that had been lucky enough to attend a show with him on. Famous and infamous in equal measures for his wholly unique and terrifying in-ring style, Sabu might have not been the first to break a table or utilise steel chairs beyond the basic shots to the back and head, but he was the pioneer for both. His work couldn't be reduced to the simple act of finding cool things to do with weapons either - the lengths he went to keep kayfabe ensured that the mystique and danger around his gimmick never wavered at its height, and the apparent lack of regard he had for his own safety only made his matches all the more captivating.

Following ECW's closure and the way access to footage had changed by 2001, Sabu's mystique naturally diminished but the legend grew, and he figured into all the aforementioned companies as arguably the most influential performer of his generation, rather than one who still needed to raise the bar. This extended into 2025 and GCW, where he wrestled his last match against Joey Janela on April 18th. It was - somewhat fittingly - billed as the end of the line for Brunk, though there'll not be a wrestling show this or any week that won't feature something he popularised.

Tributes poured in from wrestlers and fans alike on social media, in the hours following the news breaking, including some from those closest to him as well as countless others inspired by his work. Friend, partner and rival Rob Van Dam posted;

Here we were just a few weeks ago at Wrestlecon. You never know when it’s the last time you’ll be together when it comes to this.
Sabu was as irreplaceable in my life as he was in the industry.
You all know how important he was to my career, and you know how much he meant to me… pic.twitter.com/WrCAPqkx6d— Rob Van Dam (@TherealRVD) May 12, 2025

Fellow ECW alumni and era-defining opponent Taz posted a video tribute, noting that;

Sorry, my words are a little frazzled in this vid, I am trying to speak from my heart…I dunno what else to say. #RIPSabu pic.twitter.com/o6ehKa0IjK— taz (@OfficialTAZ) May 11, 2025

TNA rival and current WWE producer Chris "Abyss" Park added;

Heart broken hearing the news of Sabu passing away. He always treated me great and we shared some special moments in the ring. He made me laugh so many times over the last 20 years. Rest in Peace and God Speed Sabu.— Abyss (@TherealAbyss) May 11, 2025

Other tributes - too many to list - could be found from the likes of The Blue Meanie, Lance Storm, Francine, CW Anderson, Crowbar, Mark Briscoe, Sami Zayn, Brian Myers, Triple H and Matt Cardona as well as the official accounts from WWE, AEW and Game Changer Wrestling.

All of us at WhatCulture.com send our sympathies and condolences to Sabu's family and friends.