Sunday’s news that hardcore legend Sabu, real name Terrance Brunk, died at age 60, was a massive blow to the wrestling community and the teen years memories I hold close to the chest.
When Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) was launched in the early 90s, it was seen as a rogue outfit strictly prohibited from being broadcast on primetime television. Growing up in the Bronx, NY, during those times, my family couldn’t afford cable, and we were limited to watching local channels and any feed we could pick up on the additional channels. On those late Saturday nights where everyone in the house stayed up a little later, I came across ECW around 1 or 2 in the morning, and the feed was grainy at best. This is where I came across the legend Sabu.
ECW was known for pushing the envelope of “hardcore” wrestling that the WWE and WCW could not because they were on network TV during primetime hours. ECW had no problem doing it as wrestlers like Cactus Jack, Rick Rude, Terry Funk, Raven, and Stunning Steve Austin (later became Stone Cold Steve Austin) all pushed the envelope in their creative ways. This formed a cult following for ECW, and Sabu was right in the middle of it all.
Before even getting to Sabu and all the things he did in the ring, you had to get through his annoying manager, Bill Alfonso, blowing his whistle while Sabu did his famous hand gesture pointing to the sky. When the matches began, Sabu’s genius really came out. He used a chair and table like no other wrestler had, while taking risks that he would later pay for with lifelong injuries just to entertain the fans and get a “pop.” His insane flips into the crowd and barbed wire matches will forever be part of wrestling’s history.
Sabu vs. Taz = Money
When Sabu FINALLY pulled up on Taz at November 2 Remember ‘96.
This was cinema. pic.twitter.com/WmVvOarThd
— The Black Guy Wrestling Podcast (@bgwpod) May 11, 2025
One rivalry that will be part of the history of ECW is the one Sabu had with Taz. One story in particular was when ECW blended storyline with reality, which created a magical moment that can be described in one word: cinema. Sabu had skipped out on an event for ECW and instead decided to take a booking in Japan. The person running ECW, Paul E. Dangerously, decided to give a peek behind the curtain and told the fans in attendance why Sabu wouldn’t be there that night. The fans turned on Sabu, and there was real heat on him as he did not return to ECW for quite some time.
During those months where he was gone, ECW pushed Taz even harder while having him calling out Sabu every moment he had for not showing up to that event he ditched for Japan. Paul E. and Sabu were able to make amends, and when Sabu did come back, the moment was epic. Taz was in the ring cutting a promo when the lights went out, and when they turned back on, Sabu was standing across Taz, and the place went wild. Right before they locked horns, the lights went out again, and when they turned them on, Sabu was gone. It set up the main event for the PPV, but more importantly, Sabu was right back where he belonged.
Sabu-The Final Years
Sabu passed away giving it all in his last match just a month ago.
A real GOAT. pic.twitter.com/eYYw57NcIW
— Wrestling Pics & Clips (@WrestleClips) May 11, 2025
Sabu would stay with ECW until its demise and would go on to continue his career, but the injuries kept adding up, and there was even a moment in recent years where he didn’t have the money to get surgery done that he desperately needed. Eventually, he got it and had his retirement match a few weeks ago. What type of match was it? You guessed it, a hardcore one.
Hearing that Sabu passed away at 60 was sad, and it is also telling of wrestlers who put their bodies on the line for the sake of entertainment during a time when the ROI wasn’t as significant. Sabu was the renegade who didn’t want to change his wrestling style to be on a major promotion, and that’s something everyone will always respect about him. When he passed away on Sunday, a part of my teenage memories did as well. Sabu is a legend regardless of whether he ever makes it into the WWE Hall of Fame. So, one last time, put an index finger in the air for the man they called Sabu—a wrestling giant.
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