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BORN
1964
DIED
2025
Terry Brunk Obituary
Terry Brunk, a wrestler better known as Sabu who helped pioneer modern "hardcore" wrestling during his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), died at the age of 60. No information about the time, place, or cause of his death was known at the time of this writing.
Brunk was the nephew of Edward George Farhart, better known as "The Sheikh," a WWE Hall of Fame wrestler. He rose to fame as the ECW's more edgy and extreme approach to wrestling began taking fans away from the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now called the WWE. As Sabu, he made an art of using props and weapons to craft brutal narratives in and out of the ring. When he joined the WWE in 2006, Brunk had a chance to flex his stardom in his hometown of Detroit at WrestleMania 23, winning alongside fellow ECW pioneers The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer and Van Dam in front of 80,000 fans.
"Sabu was one of my favorite opponents," wrestling icon Mick Foley said on Facebook. "He was an innovator, a pioneer for our sport, and someone who gave so much more to the sport than it gave back to him. Just two days ago, I was talking with friends about two of my favorite Sabu moments - the time we swept the blackjack table clean, so I could pile drive him on that table in the casino of the silver nugget, and the time he tried his very best to break a bottle over my head, with the bottle finally breaking on the sixth try. #RIPSabu."
By Eric San Juan
(Image: George Napolitano/MediaPunch /IPX)
30 Entries
Marc Fioretti
July 2, 2025
They say to never meet your heros..Well, I did, and he became my closest friend. RIP Sabu
Jason kaos
May 28, 2025
Terry, may you rest in peace. It was my pleasure. To share a ring with you. At least you are now in paradise reunited with your beautiful super genie
Johnny Viper
May 26, 2025
You did things back then that guys are copying today you're the best my friend rest in peaceSabu I met you in 1995!!
Chris D
May 25, 2025
To the Brunk family,
Sabu was always "real" unlike these other characters. I always believed he was a raving madman. Terry played Sabu so well and was unbelievable in his ability not to break character that I was scared of him even as an adult.
I was so surprised and happy to hear about Terry from the likes of RVD. I am so happy to know that Terry wasn't Sabu. He was a man that not only loved his friends but the story about him taking care of his Mom was so unexpected. Very few people get to live their passion but Terry did. Thank you for accepting my message.
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Dennis winship
May 21, 2025
I remember seeing him at the garden 22 years ago for summerslam 2006. Dennis winship Lynn,Massachusetts
Kendall J
May 21, 2025
Saturday was (In the words of Captain Lou Albano) often imitated but never duplicated.
We owe putting opponents through tables and random items being used as part of wrestlers habitual move-sets and this entering into the mainstream of professional wrestling particularly the attitude Era of WWE hardcore matches to Sabu. Sabu is the godfather of modern hardcore wrestling.
-Kendall from Jersey City
TR
May 19, 2025
Teena Guynn-Taylor
May 18, 2025
I don't have a memory to share,so sorry for families loss. I hope this not inappropriate to ask about the last name? Brunk is a family name,and was just wondering if there is any type of connection between the 2 Brunk names. Again I hope this is not inappropriate to ask about. Thank you for your consideration. And sorry for the loss of your loved one!
Carlos Glenn
May 17, 2025
What a Great Person it was a pleasure to know condolences to his family always a total Gentleman
David Mosley
May 17, 2025
The 1st-time, I actually got to meet & talk with you was when I started Working Ring Crew & Security here in MI. You & Paul E. Dangerously stopped by my Table set-up in Lincoln Park & was looking at my Pictures etc. I had taken & said I was really good at Capturing those Action Shots ! A real Compliment... You asked for a copy of one that I had, where your opponent was supposed to get-off the Table & Didn't & You Had Jumped from a High Spot & Landed !!! We Laughed & Paul was admiring the L. P. Center. Thank You for All The Memories!!! GOD Bless & Keep You***
Mark Farhat
May 17, 2025
My condolences to the Brunk and Farhat family and friends.I got to watch Sabu in Las Vegas I think it was a couple a years ago.He put on a great performance as a manager.I did not know him well but heard years ago that he trained with his Uncle the Sheik Sabu that day had a lot of fans at T-Mobile arena.May he rest in peace. Mark Farhat. Las Vegas Nevada
Mr.Jr.
May 17, 2025
My Condolences.
Charles B
May 16, 2025
A true legend in Wrestling and the real hardcore legend. No one else will ever come close to what he did. Get guy outside the ring as well. R.i.p. Terry
Bobby Mitchell
May 15, 2025
RIP Terry you'll be missed
Gregory
May 15, 2025
Sabu inspired me so much.
Affected my approach to everything i do in my life.
Listening to his interviews and hearing how passionate he was,how much pride and integrity he had towards his craft was huge for me.
Condolences to his family and friends.
P.s.
Sorry sabu for messaging you at 3am asking you marky questions.
Your influence is monumental and will withstand the test of time.
Youre a true innovator and icon.
Pleasure to have met you in 07.
R.i.p
Kamran Sleemi
May 15, 2025
Heard about him before he arrived in ECW and has been one of my absolute favorite wrestlers to this very day and was a huge part of me growing up. The man is simply a legend in every sense of the word. He pioneered the art of hardcore wrestling with aerial moves that were never seen before in the states until he arrived. I also met him many years ago and actually got to hang with him and talk about so much. It will forever be one of the highlights of my life. One of the absolute nicest guys I have ever met in my life. Thank you for all you gave to the fans, the business and most of all being a class act and unapologetically you. Your memory and contributions will live on forever. Rest in power to the legend & icon.
Steven onderko
May 15, 2025
Sabu was the greatest wrestler of all no one could ever replace him we met him in Pennsylvania 6 years ago. He will be missed may his legacy live on
Michael Morales
May 15, 2025
Reunited.
Kenneth Feola
May 14, 2025
I´m Kenneth Feola an avid fan of sabu and the wrestling business hearing the news of his passing was heartbreaking Sabu was absolutely amazing inside and outside the ring he knew how to wrestle and go to the extreme of wrestling every time he pointed to the skies I would do the same thing I met sabu a few years ago at some event I forgot where it was but I remember we talked for like an hour about wrestling and after he asked me if I was going home after I said yeah that´s where I was going before u go home I´m gonna treat u and your brother and dad out to dinner and he kept his word and he paid for it I won´t ever forget his kindness he was such a great guy he´s really gonna be missed truly rest in peace Sabu I´m pointing to the skies for u buddy
Les (Edwards) Pomerville
May 14, 2025
Eternal rest grand on to you and may perpetual light shire upon you; may your Soul Rest in Peace! I have known Terry from the start of the Old World Wrestling League, started by the late Eddie Farhat Jr., and from some spot shows he did in and around Dayton Ohio.
John Lombardo
May 14, 2025
I was a fan from the second I saw Sabu as a teenager in Philadelphia. Truly one of a kind. A unique talent and an inspiration. Had the pleasure of meeting him and Melissa a few years ago. We talked for a while, he signed prints of my artwork, and took a few pieces to keep for himself. He made my son´s day. He had an humble and sincere demeanor. He was a genuinely nice man who made time for his fans and exceeded expectations of the character he portrayed. What an awesome experience Sabu is. Rest well. We are all eternally grateful for Terry Brunk.
Michael Morales
May 13, 2025
Wished I could have thanked you personally for your dedication and sacrifice to entertain us. RIP Mr. Brunk. Long live the sprit of Sabu!
Theodore Metzler
May 13, 2025
I would love to find out if the family is having any funeral services my son was trained by Ed Farhat Junior here's a picture of my son with Sabu when they both worked for AWWL
Vito B
May 13, 2025
Terry Brynn may God watch over you know and perpetual light shine upon you Sincerely Vito
Jenee Emlyn
May 13, 2025
I am so sorry about Terry's loss. The family has my condolences and I pray that you will be surrounded continuously with love, and everlasting comfort.
Anthony shea
May 13, 2025
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Benjamin Strongwolf Rodriguez
May 12, 2025
I got to work with him for one night as a manager in an event in Jackson. Was fun to talk with him. And hang out with him after the show. He even took me out to eat afterwards. Good guy. Will be missed by many. For years he pointed towards heaven and his uncle. Now he is there and so I will point one more time for him.
David Taylor
May 12, 2025
I remember watching you as a kid, and my Dad was a big fan of The Sheikh. I believe I know why I am seeing your memory and it answers many questions.
I have a similar memory of wishing a bottle would break over my head, and it did! Probably around #6 or so on my old Fort, I mean Base, in Japan. RIP
David Taylor
May 12, 2025
Your heart soon will be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Adam Bennett
May 12, 2025
I was just a fan, but the first time I saw Sabu, I couldn´t take my eyes off him. "What was he going to do next?" He had incredible balance on the ropes. He was quite a wrestler and entertainer. He definitely gave the wrestling business his best and his all! Rest in peace Terry Brunk a.k.a. "Sabu".
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