Rob Van Dam says kratom “had nothing to do with Sabu dying” following retirement match

Last weekend, it was announced that former ECW world champion Sabu passed away at the age of 60. Three weeks before Sabu’s death, he had his retirement match (no-ropes barbed wire) against Joey Janela at the Spring Break 9 event on April 18th. Sabu was said to have been given a substance called kratom prior to the match.

While speaking on his podcast, Rob Van Dam commented on the controversy surrounding the match…

“I’ve read comments saying, ‘GCW should be arrested on manslaughter.’ Wait, regardless of the cause of death three weeks later? Thank God these people aren’t in control.”

“[Kratom] helps so many people. First off, they [GCW/Janela] didn’t give him the kratom. It was his own people. For sure, Sabu had some kratom. He eats it every day. I usually eat it every day. It’s good for blocking pain, sleeping, and anxiety. It had nothing to do with Sabu dying three weeks later. Ya’ll are basic thinkers.”

“People are saying, ‘Shame on GCW for allowing a 60-year-old to get in the ring…’ I can tell you… he wanted that… He was training. He was wanting to have this big retirement match. One thing that he said when I saw him after his match with Joey Janela, he said ‘I got one more match in me. If you’re still interested in doing a barbed wire match, I’m interested.’” (quotes courtesy of WrestlingNews.co)