The professional wrestling world was shaken when news spread that ECW icon and hardcore wrestling legend Sabu, real name Terry Brunk, had passed away at 60 years old.
WWE is saddened to learn that Terry Brunk, known to wrestling fans as Sabu, has passed away.WWE extends its condolences to Sabu’s family, friends and fans.https://t.co/7EqPs02bWA pic.twitter.com/T7ZjDHGARJ
— WWE (@WWE) May 11, 2025
Countless wrestlers paid tribute to the legend online, thanking him for the contributions he had made to the business.
More Pro Wrestling: Wrestling Legend Sabu Passes Away at 60
WWE did the same on Monday Night Raw, and multiple members of the roster proceeded to follow suit.
Commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee kicked off the show with a tribute to Sabu, calling him a “trailblazer” and “legendary.”
“The wrestling world lost a trailblazer over the weekend: legendary ECW superstar Sabu.” Cole said. “He was a hardcore extraordinaire. He passed away at the age of 60. A two-time ECW World Champion who had a legendary rivalry with a friend of mine named Tazz.”
Honoring the life and remembering the legendary career of SABU.#ThankYouSabu pic.twitter.com/DqS4wSHGlR
— WWE (@WWE) May 13, 2025
“I was incredibly lucky to grow up during the era of ECW,” McAfee said. “Obviously, we all had our own trampoline wrestling associations around the country. We all followed the way of the ECW superstars. And what Sabu did every time he performed was put his life on the line for everybody’s entertainment. We are forever grateful for his service to this industry.”
“We all remember Sabu tonight, send our condolences to his family and his friends,” Cole concluded as the crowd chanted “Thank you, Sabu.”
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This wasn’t the only time Sabu was remembered on Raw. Before he entered into the ring, CM Punk stood on the apron and pointed to the sky in homage to ECW’s Evel Knievel.
“He influenced everyone and everything,” CM Punk later said on Instagram. “You read about him and when you finally saw him, he somehow exceeded the expectations. He was infamous. There will never be another.”
“The nephew of WWE Hall of Famer, The Sheik, Sabu became a national star as part of ECW, where he was a pioneer of hardcore wrestling, leaping from chairs and driving his opponents through tables and even barbed wire,” WWE said in an online tribute.
“In 2006, Sabu signed with WWE as part of WWE’s revival of the ECW brand. Finally unleashed on WWE, Sabu competed in marquee contests with Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship and John Cena for the WWE Championship.
“One of his greatest accomplishments came when he and fellow ECW Originals, The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer and Van Dam were victorious at WrestleMania 23 in Sabu’s native Detroit in front of over 80,000 fans.
“Sabu left WWE soon after in 2007 and continued to travel the world as sports-entertainment’s human highlight reel.”
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