Sabu, Hardcore Wrestling Icon, Dies at 60 Weeks After Final Match

Sabu, Hardcore Wrestling Icon, Dies at 60 Weeks After Final Match

Terry Brunk, known to wrestling fans worldwide as Sabu, passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of 60, just weeks after his retirement match. A pioneer of hardcore wrestling, Sabu's high-risk style and innovative maneuvers left an indelible mark on the industry.

Legacy of Hardcore Innovation

Trained by his uncle, the legendary Ed "The Sheik" Farhat, Sabu debuted in 1985 and quickly became synonymous with extreme wrestling. His tenure in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1993 to 2000 solidified his reputation, earning him the moniker "The Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal, Death–Defying Maniac." Sabu's arsenal included signature moves like the Triple Jump Moonsault and the Arabian Facebuster, often executed with the aid of steel chairs and tables. His willingness to endure pain and push boundaries captivated audiences and inspired a generation of wrestlers.

Beyond ECW, Sabu competed in promotions like Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) in Japan, WWE, TNA, and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he made a notable appearance in 2023. His accolades include two ECW World Heavyweight Championships, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and multiple tag team titles.

A Farewell to the Ring

n April 18, 2025, during WrestleMania weekend, Sabu wrestled his final match against Joey Janela at Game Changer Wrestling's Spring Break 9 event in Las Vegas. Despite the physical toll of his career, Sabu had expressed a desire to continue wrestling, stating in late 2024 that he could manage "another year, maybe two" with a lighter schedule. His unexpected passing less than a month later shocked fans and peers alike.

Tributes from the Wrestling Community

The wrestling world mourned the loss of Sabu, with tributes pouring in from fellow wrestlers and organizations. AEW's Taz credited Sabu with launching his own successful career, remembering him as having a great heart and soul. Longtime friend and tag team partner Rob Van Dam honored Sabu with his signature pointing gesture on social media. WWE and AEW both issued statements highlighting his contributions to professional wrestling.

Personal Life and Lega

n the mid-2010s, Sabu began dating fellow wrestler Melissa Coates, who also served as his valet. Coates passed away in 2021 due to complications from COVID-19. Sabu's commitment to his craft, despite numerous injuries and surgeries, exemplified his dedication to the sport. His influence is evident in the hardcore wrestling style that persists today, and his legacy continues to inspire wrestlers around the globe.

Sabu's passing marks the end of an era in professional wrestling. His fearless approach and innovative style redefined what was possible in the ring, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. He will be remembered not only for his in-ring achievements but also for his unwavering passion and resilience.

Sabu's passing marks the end of an era in professional wrestling. His fearless approach and innovative style redefined what was possible in the ring, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. He will be remembered not only for his in-ring achievements but also for his unwavering passion and resilience.

Wrestling World Pays Tribute to Sabu
WWE and ECW icon Sabu passes away at 60: What made his legacy especially special
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WWE and ECW icon Sabu passes away at 60: What made his legacy especially special
Today
Sabu, ECW legend and former WWE star, dead at 60
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Sabu, ECW legend and former WWE star, dead at 60
Today

After Final Match
Terry Michael Brunk, better known to fans around the world as Sabu, passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of 60. His death came just weeks after performing in what would be his final match, marking the end of a storied and influential wrestling career that spanned four decades.

A True Pioneer of Hardcore Wrestling
Sabu was trained by his uncle, the legendary Ed “The Sheik” Farhat, a pioneer of the brutal, weapon-filled style that would later define “hardcore” wrestling. Carrying forward that violent legacy, Sabu became a symbol of extreme wrestling—performing jaw-dropping, high-risk maneuvers that many wouldn't dare attempt. He didn’t just take punishment—he invited it. Broken tables, steel chairs, barbed wire, and ladders were all part of his arsenal.

Making his name in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) during the 1990s, Sabu helped establish the promotion’s infamous reputation for chaos and innovation. He held the ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice and the ECW World Tag Team Championship three times. His style revolutionized the wrestling industry and helped inspire the modern deathmatch and hardcore styles we see today in independent circuits and even mainstream promotions like AEW.

Wrestling Around the World
Though best remembered for his ECW run, Sabu wrestled across the globe, including in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) in Japan, where he engaged in brutal deathmatches. He also wrestled in WWE, TNA (now Impact Wrestling), and All Elite Wrestling (AEW). His brief run in WWE saw him part of the 2006 relaunch of ECW, but his legacy was already cemented long before that.

Sabu was always on the edge of innovation and insanity. Whether diving from the top rope into the crowd or performing backflips off steel chairs, he treated wrestling like art—violent, unpredictable art.

Even late into his career, Sabu was still willing to risk his body. His final match took place on April 18, 2025, at Game Changer Wrestling’s Spring Break 9 event in Las Vegas, where he competed against Joey Janela. The match served as a symbolic passing of the torch from one hardcore icon to another. Though Sabu had hinted that it might be his final match, fans never expected it would truly be the last time they'd see him perform.

Personal Struggles and Resilience
Behind the scenes, Sabu faced numerous challenges. Years of brutal matches left his body scarred and broken. He had undergone multiple surgeries and battled chronic pain. In his later years, he also faced emotional hardship after the death of his longtime partner, Melissa Coates, in 2021. Despite these hardships, he continued to wrestle when possible, driven by a love for the sport that never faded.

Sabu was not just a performer—he was a storyteller, using his body to narrate epic sagas of struggle, defiance, and survival. He famously stayed silent in many promos, letting his actions in the ring speak louder than words ever could.

Tributes and Impact
Tributes poured in across social media following his passing. Taz, his ECW peer, called Sabu the reason he made it in wrestling. Rob Van Dam, his longtime tag team partner and friend, saluted him online with Sabu’s signature point-to-the-sky gesture. Promotions like AEW, WWE, and Impact Wrestling acknowledged his profound contributions to the business.

Sabu's influence continues to be seen in countless wrestlers today. From high-flyers to deathmatch brawlers, his DNA is deeply embedded in modern wrestling. He wasn’t just hardcore—he was a revolutionary.

Final Bell
Sabu’s death is a significant loss for the wrestling world. More than just a performer, he was a symbol of the extreme, an embodiment of passion and pain, and a trailblazer who made the impossible seem routine. His contributions to professional wrestling will never be forgotten, and his spirit will live on in every daring leap and shattered table.

Remembering Sabu
The tributes came pouring in. Taz, Rob Van Dam, AEW, and WWE all honored Sabu’s legacy. RVD, in a heartfelt social media post, recreated Sabu’s famous sky-pointing gesture—silent, yet powerful.