Sabu passes away at 60 years old

  • Ian Carey
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One of the most celebrated hardcore wrestlers of all time has died.

PWInsider was the first to report on Sunday that Sabu (real name Terry Brunk) has passed away, just weeks after competing in his retirement match against Joey Janela at GCW Spring Break 9 on April 18. He was 60 years old. A cause of death has not been disclosed.

People from across the wrestling world are paying tribute to Sabu in the wake of the news.

“My heart is broken. Rest in peace to my friend Sabu. I love you always.” Francine wrote.

“The ECW original whose innovative style helped bring the entire wrestling world to a new extreme. We send our condolences to his loved ones,” wrote Triple H. WWE.com posted a tribute to Sabu that is available here.

Lance Storm wrote, “I am sitting on a flight crying after hearing the news of Sabu’s passing. We had nothing in common and were complete opposites, but we were friends and brothers. He had a good heart, and will be missed. RIP Sabu”

“Nobody made me want to be a wrestler more than Sabu. R.I.P. to a true hardcore legend Suicidal, homicidal, genocidal 4-ever,” wrote Mark Briscoe.

“Rest In Peace Sabu…. Thank you, I love you, I’ll miss you…I’m totally devastated,” wrote Blue Meanie.

“He was an outlaw and a gamechanger. He inspired so many that stepped inside a GCW ring and he will continue to inspire for generations to come. His legacy will last forever and he will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace, and… Long Live SABU,” wrote GCW.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Terry “Sabu” Brunk, who competed in many memorable matches in TNA history including the iconic first ever Barbed Wire Massacre match against Abyss. We offer our sincere condolences to his friends and family,” wrote TNA Wrestling.

“Lost another ECW brother today. Rest in Power Sabu. Always an honor to have shared the ring with you,” wrote CW Anderson.

“RIP SABU A true fucking legend!” Matt Cardona wrote.

“A pioneer, a rebel, and an outsider. Too extreme for the mainstream. Captured the imagination of multiple generations & inspired too many to count. Without a doubt, one of the most influential wrestlers of *all* time. Thank you for everything, and god bless you Sabu,” wrote GCW’s Brett Lauderdale.

“this is awful news. a true trail blazer in this sport and one of the most innovative and influential wrestlers of all time. i always enjoyed spending time with sabu over the last few years. i hope his soul is at peace,” wrote GCW’s Emil Jay.

“Sending all of my love to the friends, family, and fans of Sabu. Sabu was one of my favorite wrestler’s growing up with access to the internet and the implementation of streaming services with ECW available. I’ll never forget November to Remember ’96, lights go out, come back up and Sabu returns to one of the loudest ECW crowds I remember watching. Just completely insanity. Rest in Peace, Sabu. Legends never die,” wrote NJPW’s Walker Stewart.

“If you didn’t live through the mid-90s I don’t know if you can understand what kind of aura Sabu had. One of the ultimate wrestlers where when you heard or read about them before you first saw ’em, it sounded like folks were describing a new world. And with Sabu, they kinda were,” wrote Trevor Dame.

Sabu was voted “Readers Favorite” in the 1994 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Award. He is a member of the Hardcore Hall of Fame in Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena, and was part of the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2024, although he technically received the award in 2025.