ECW legend and professional wrestling icon Sabu, real name Terry Brunk, sadly passed away at 60 years old, less than a month after his final official match.
While he is most well-known for his time in ECW, Sabu also wrestled in countless promotions around the world, including WWE, WCW, TNA, NJPW, and so many more.
Sabu remains one of the most influential wrestlers of his era, developing an iconic hardcore and high-flying style that is replicated to this day.
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Multiple wrestlers have now come out to pay tribute to the legend and the effect he has had on the business.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 14: Professional wrestler Sabu attends ToyCon 2020 at the Eastside Cannery Casino Hotel on March 14, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 14: Professional wrestler Sabu attends ToyCon 2020 at the Eastside Cannery Casino Hotel on March 14, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images
“Game changers are people who altered the RULES in the profession for which they played,” fellow ECW legend Tommy Dreamer said. “Bob Gibson. Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Deacon Jones. Mel Blount. Jordan Curry. Sabu tables innovative movesets high flying assault toughness. He was ECW.”
Game changers are people who altered the RULES in the profession for which they played Bob Gibson Kareem Abdul Jabbar Deacon Jones Mel Blount Jordan Curry Sabu tables innovative movesets high flying assault toughness He was ECW pic.twitter.com/ES1lh8PyEj
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) May 12, 2025
“Here we were just a few weeks ago at Wrestlecon,” WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam said of his former tag team partner. “You never know when it’s the last time you’ll be together when it comes to this.
“Sabu was as irreplaceable in my life as he was in the industry. You all know how important he was to my career, and you know how much he meant to me personally.
Here we were just a few weeks ago at Wrestlecon. You never know when it’s the last time you’ll be together when it comes to this. Sabu was as irreplaceable in my life as he was in the industry. You all know how important he was to my career, and you know how much he meant to me… pic.twitter.com/WrCAPqkx6d
— Rob Van Dam (@TherealRVD) May 12, 2025
“He’s been a tremendous influence since I was 18 years old , when I met him. Learning to be an adult, while you’re in the crazy environment of this business can go several different ways.
“I’m proud to have been able to carry on so many of Sheik and Sabu’s values, both in and out of the ring. Sabu helped make me the wrestler I am, the person I am, and I’ll always be proud of that and grateful.”
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“A brotherhood and bond that very few in our business will ever understand,” Bully Ray said. “RIP Sabu and THANK YOU for being the pioneer and originator of getting the tables!!”
Bully Ray would go on to pay tribute to Sabu on the Busted Open Radio alongside Sandman, Tazz, and many more.
“Sabu was a trailblazing groundbreaker who played a major role in the expansion of what a pro wrestling match could be,” Matt Hardy said. “The fact that tables are commonly utilized in pro wrestling is because of Terry Brunk & how he made an inanimate object like a table a must see component in his match.
RIP Sabu
Sabu was a trailblazing groundbreaker who played a major role in the expansion of what a pro wrestling match could be. The fact that tables are commonly utilized in pro wrestling is because of Terry Brunk & how he made an inanimate object like a table a must see… pic.twitter.com/5WbvnMTs8j
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) May 11, 2025
“Sabu was heavily influential on today’s current style, even though his contributions are still under appreciated by most. My thoughts go out to all of Sabu’s family, friends & fans.”
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For more professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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