Sabu has died. RIP.

[DCW]

I've no idea who Joey Janella is, but that's an awful story from start to finish. Sabu was off his tits on gas station opiates, still allowed to wrestle, smashes his head off the floor and dies a few days later. Hopefully the company is held culpable if the head injury is found to have contributed to Sabu's death. 

What a shitey industry wrestling is. 

[Ro_y Disco]

That's a really depressing account - the bleeding feet is especially grim.

Just to balance out the awfulness, here's an excellent tribute from PWI https://pwinsider.com/article/196025/looking-at-the-life-and-legacy-of-the-one-and-only-sabu.html?p=1

[Chili]

Well they all sound thick as pig putting that match on. Don't think I've heard anything good about that Brett Lauderdale fella ever. I get a real carny IWA:MS feel off anything of him I read. Janela is a berk too, oh the shame of announcing you can't have the match over the fact that Sabu was in serious medical need. Classic shitty wrestlers.

[TheScarlettChad]

Janela isn't responsible for killing him, As some berks on Twitter are saying. 

[Chili]

1 minute ago, TheScarlettChad said:

Janela isn't responsible for killing him, As some berks on Twitter are saying. 

Yeah he's not, but he's still being impressively thick here.

We all know it was Kevin Sullivan who was actually behind it.

[Vegeta]

3 hours ago, DCW said:

I've no idea who Joey Janella is

Consider yourself lucky

[TheBurningRed]

That’s not the feel good story Janela thought it was going to be. He’s spent most of his time on Twitter arguing with fans about this situation since the article came out. As has Brett Lauderdale and one of their announcers. Everyone involved, including the fans they’re arguing with, is a doctor it seems. 

[Merzbow]

I was half expecting an "I killed Sabu" shitty gimmick from Joey, even as a hardcore/deathmatch fan I can't stand the guy.

[The King Of Swing]

What an absolute fucking plank. 

[Hannibal Scorch]

He’s done a proper response, which whilst not making them innocent, does paint things differently. Didn’t post it on his Blue Sky unfortunately 

 

Edited May 14, 2025 by Hannibal Scorch

[d-d-d-dAz]

2 minutes ago, Hannibal Scorch said:

He’s done a proper response, which whilst not making them innocent, does pain things differently. Didn’t post it on his Blue Sky unfortunately 

 

It sort of does, but I don't like "I said he was knocked out but LOL I was just joking"... it feels a bit arse cover-y in case head injuries were a factor.

It's just all a bit grim and adds to my sense that I wish these guys were able to retire in peace at a reasonable age. I know in many instances they don't want that, but it's so tough now watching what Sabu was putting himself through just a few weeks ago and now he's gone.

Awful awful awful.

[Hannibal Scorch]

Just now, d-d-d-dAz said:

It sort of does, but I don't like "I said he was knocked out but LOL I was just joking"... it feels a bit arse cover-y in case head injuries were a factor.

It's just all a bit grim and adds to my sense that I wish these guys were able to retire in peace at a reasonable age. I know in many instances they don't want that, but it's so tough now watching what Sabu was putting himself through just a few weeks ago and now he's gone.

Awful awful awful.

The problem is, when article like that is written, especially with wrestlers, they always embellish elements. So what do you believe, what he said then, or now?

[LEGIT]

I remember being about 8 or 9 and downloading clips of ECW, which like others I'd read about in Powerslam. Mini clips of all sorts of wrestlers, but loads of Sabu. Either his moves or him getting Tazplexed left right and center. He was unlike any one else, and his craziness made him extremely cool and ultimately a massive trend setter. 

Like others have said, his TNA run doesn't get the shine it deserves- he had a great run there. It would've been good if he had a lengthier run in WWF or WCW, but there goes. 

RIP to a genuine wrestling legend

[Chili]

WWE Vault uploaded Sabu's 1993 tryout against Scott Taylor. Now let's imagine Sabu in the New Generation Era. My word, him and the Kid, Owen, Bret could have been something fun.

 

[JakeRobertsParoleOfficer]

Looking at that, I don't think , even with the move to smaller guys WWF would have known what to do with him (or been willing to let him do what he did best)?

He undoubted would have some belters with Waltman but would WWF let him be 'Sabu' back then?? That he didn't get a deal after that match says where they were product wise.

That said, given Bret was giving guys their 'best match of their career' between 92-96 I'd love to have see what match Bret could have got out of him and would have plotted together (if Sabu was willing to be led..as he was an 8 year pro at this point)

Whilst it's sad, he had a 40 yr career, was an innovator, wrestled for everyone and did what he loved. I don't think he'd have been happy growing old, being incapable or wondering what to do with himself (what would he have done??!

In a perverse way it's probably the way he wanted to go out