Tragically, the world of professional wrestling is mourning the loss of WWE and ECW legend Sabu, who passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of 60. Born Terry Brunk, Sabu was known for his high-risk, high-flying “hardcore” style, which helped bring tables, chairs, and other objects into mainstream wrestling. His death occurred just weeks after his retirement match against Joey Janela on April 18, where he suffered a bloodied face.
Sabu’s health issues were well-documented, with him requiring hospitalization in 2023 due to a serious medical emergency. Despite his health struggles, Sabu continued to perform, inspiring future generations of wrestlers with his intense toughness and daredevil moves.
### Tributes to Sabu
The wrestling community has paid tribute to Sabu, with fellow wrestlers and friends expressing their condolences ² ³:
– *Francine*: A fellow ECW alumnus, Francine wrote, “My heart is broken. Rest in peace to my friend Sabu. I love you always.”
– *Rob Van Dam*: Sabu’s longtime colleague and opponent, Rob Van Dam, honored him with a straightforward finger-pointing-up emoji, alluding to Sabu’s famous ring posture.
– *The Blue Meanie*: Brian Heffron, also known as The Blue Meanie, wrote, “Rest In Peace Sabu… Thank you, I love you, I’ll miss you… I’m totally devastated.”
– *Damian Priest*: WWE star Damian Priest posted a broken heart and the same emoji, saying, “Rest easy, legend.”
