Wrestling Legend and Former WWE Star Sabu Dead at 60 Only Weeks After the 'Death-Defying Maniac's' Final Match
Terry Brunk, better known as 'Sabu', has died at the age of 60
May 11 2025, Published 4:00 p.m. ET
The world of professional wrestling is in mourning following the death of Terry Brunk, widely known as Sabu, who passed away at 60, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
The former WWE star was wrestling as recently as last month, when he took part in his final match during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas.
Sabu is the nephew of WWE Hall of Famer 'The Sheik'.
Once dubbed "the suicidal, homicidal, genocidal, death-defying maniac", Sabu was known for his high-flying, daredevil antics, striving to push the limits in brutal matches filled with tables, ladders, chairs, and barbed wire. Sabu was a fixture in the ECW wrestling scene and cemented his legacy as a trailblazer during the 1990s hardcore wrestling boom.
The nephew of the legendary wrestler The Sheik, Sabu held the ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice, claimed the World Television Championship, and nabbed tag team titles three times, making a remarkable mark on the sport.
After an iconic career in independent promotions, Sabu made his WWE debut in 2006, shortly after the company acquired ECW and sought to revitalize the brand with a new weekly show.
He appeared at WrestleMania 23, where he was part of the historic ECW Originals team that triumphed over The New Breed in a thrilling eight-man tag team match on April 1, 2007. However, his WWE stint was brief, as he was released just a month later.
Sabu also made waves with stints in WCW, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and AAA, and he made a memorable return to the ring in 2023, enacting special enforcer duties during a match between Adam Cole and Chris Jericho for AEW.
As news of his passing spread, the official AEW X account stated: “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.”
Emotional tributes are pouring in, with longtime collaborator Rob Van Dam expressing his grief by posting a simple index finger emoji on his X account, a nod to Sabu’s iconic signature pose.
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Sabu was best known for his fearless stunts during matches.
Fellow ECW star Taz, who now serves as an announcer for AEW, shared his heartbreak over this tragic loss.
In a video he shared on X, Taz said: "This breaks my heart. I would not have had the career that I have had, and I've been blessed to have, if it wasn't for Sabu. That man got me over, and he didn't have to get me over, and he did.
"A great heart and soul. I'm gonna miss him immensely."
