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Breaking news: Former ECW world champion Sabu has reportedly passed away

Aaron Rift

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported on Sunday that former ECW world champion Sabu, real name Terry Brunk, has passed away at the age of 60. A cause of death has yet to be disclosed.

Sabu wrestled his last match on April 18th in Las Vegas, defeating Joey Janela during WrestleMania 41 weekend. His final public appearance was at the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance reunion show at the 2300 (ECW) Arena last weekend.

WWE confirmed the death of Sabu with the following statement…

WWE is saddened to learn that Terry Brunk, known to wrestling fans as Sabu, has passed away.

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.

Many of ECW’s greatest matches featured Sabu doing battle with the likes of WWE Hall of Famers Rob Van Dam and Mick Foley, as well as The Sandman and his greatest rival, Tazz.

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.

WWE extends its condolences to Sabu’s family, friends and fans.

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