Sabu Howard, known primarily by his ring name Sabu, is a professional wrestler whose contributions to the world of wrestling have left a lasting legacy. With a career spanning several decades, Sabu is best known for his high-flying, hardcore wrestling style, earning him a reputation as one of the most innovative and fearless performers in the industry.
This article delves into Sabu’s background, his wrestling career, and the impact he’s had on the world of professional wrestling.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Background
Sabu Howard, born Terry Michael Brunk on December 12, 1964, comes from a wrestling family. He is the nephew of Ed Farhat, better known as The Sheik, one of the most infamous and feared wrestlers in the 1960s and 1970s. Growing up under the influence of The Sheik, Sabu was exposed to the world of wrestling at an early age, and it was only natural that he followed in his uncle’s footsteps.
Sabu was trained by his uncle, who instilled in him the same brutal, hardcore style of wrestling that had made The Sheik famous. This training set the foundation for Sabu’s future career, which would become known for extreme stunts and hardcore matches.
Career Highlights
1. Early Career
Sabu began wrestling in the mid-1980s, but it wasn’t until the early 1990s that he gained recognition. He worked in various independent promotions across the United States and Japan, showcasing his unique style of wrestling that often included high-risk maneuvers and the use of weapons.
2. ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling)
Sabu’s career truly took off when he joined Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in the early 1990s. ECW was known for its hardcore, no-rules style, and Sabu fit perfectly into this environment. His willingness to take dangerous risks and push the boundaries of what was possible in the ring made him one of ECW’s most popular and controversial wrestlers.
One of Sabu’s defining characteristics was his use of tables, chairs, and other objects to inflict maximum damage on his opponents. His matches often featured jaw-dropping spots, such as jumping off the ropes onto a table or launching himself through the air to crash into his opponent. These death-defying feats earned him a reputation as one of the toughest and most daring wrestlers of his time.
3. Feuds and Rivalries
Sabu had legendary rivalries with some of wrestling’s biggest names, including Taz, Rob Van Dam, and The Sandman. His feuds in ECW were often brutal and bloody, with matches that pushed the limits of what fans had seen in professional wrestling.
One of his most notable rivalries was with Taz, which culminated in a highly anticipated match at ECW’s “Barely Legal” pay-per-view in 1997. The intense rivalry between these two wrestlers was a hallmark of ECW’s programming and showcased Sabu’s toughness and resilience.
4. WWE and TNA Stints
In the 2000s, Sabu briefly worked with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). While his time in these companies was shorter and less prominent than his ECW run, he still managed to impress fans with his hardcore style and willingness to go to extreme lengths in the ring.
5. Legacy and Influence
Sabu’s influence on professional wrestling cannot be understated. He is often credited with helping popularize the “hardcore” style of wrestling, where the use of weapons, high-risk stunts, and brutal matches became common. His willingness to put his body on the line and perform in some of the most dangerous matches in wrestling history earned him the nickname “The Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal Maniac.”
Sabu’s legacy continues to inspire younger wrestlers who have adopted elements of his high-risk, hardcore approach to wrestling. His impact on ECW, in particular, helped solidify the promotion as a pioneer in hardcore wrestling and changed the landscape of the wrestling industry.
FAQs About Sabu Howard
1. What is Sabu Howard’s real name?
Sabu Howard’s real name is Terry Michael Brunk.
2. Is Sabu related to The Sheik?
Yes, Sabu is the nephew of The Sheik (Ed Farhat), a legendary professional wrestler who was known for his brutal and hardcore style, which heavily influenced Sabu’s wrestling approach.
3. What is Sabu best known for in wrestling?
Sabu is best known for his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he gained fame for his high-risk, hardcore style of wrestling. He frequently used tables, chairs, and other weapons in his matches and performed dangerous stunts that left fans in awe.
4. Has Sabu worked for WWE?
Yes, Sabu briefly worked for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), although his most significant contributions to wrestling were made during his time in ECW and other independent promotions.
5. What are some of Sabu’s most notable matches?
Sabu is known for many brutal matches, but some of his most notable rivalries were with wrestlers like Taz, Rob Van Dam, and The Sandman. His match with Taz at ECW’s “Barely Legal” pay-per-view in 1997 is particularly famous.
6. Is Sabu still wrestling?
As of recent years, Sabu has significantly reduced his wrestling appearances, focusing more on special events and independent shows rather than full-time wrestling. However, his legacy in the industry remains strong, and he occasionally makes appearances at wrestling conventions and special events.
Conclusion
Sabu Howard, or simply Sabu, is a professional wrestling icon whose innovative and dangerous approach to the sport left an indelible mark on the industry. Known for his hardcore wrestling style, high-risk maneuvers, and memorable rivalries, Sabu’s influence is still felt in modern wrestling today. From his early career to his time in ECW and beyond, Sabu remains one of the most daring and fearless wrestlers to ever step into the ring.
