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The wrestling world is mourning the loss of a true icon of the hardcore era, as Terrence Brunk—known to fans across the globe as Sabu—has passed away at the age of 60.
PWInsider was first to report the heartbreaking news, though details surrounding the cause and exact time of death have not yet been made public. What makes this loss even more poignant is that it comes mere weeks after Sabu officially wrestled his final match. On April 18, during WrestleMania weekend, the “Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal” legend stepped into the ring one last time, defeating Joey Janela in the main event of Joey Janela’s Spring Break 9.
Sabu’s legacy is deeply entwined with the roots of extreme wrestling. A second-generation star and the nephew of the legendary Sheik, Sabu broke into the business in 1985, wrestling across various Midwest territories. While he had early stints in WWE and Japan’s FMW, it was in ECW where Sabu became a game-changer. His wild, no-holds-barred style made him a cornerstone of the promotion’s rebellious identity, influencing an entire generation of performers and fans.
His brutal, high-risk matches against the likes of Rob Van Dam and Taz were the stuff of underground legend, passed around on VHS tapes long before streaming made wrestling instantly accessible. Even a brief run in WCW couldn’t keep him away from the chaos of ECW, where he remained until the company’s eventual closure in 2001.
After ECW folded, Sabu continued to bring hardcore wrestling to audiences on the independent scene and through appearances in TNA Wrestling. He returned to WWE during its ECW revival in 2006, briefly rekindling the spirit of the original brand. That run included a notable clash with John Cena at Vengeance 2006, offering mainstream fans a glimpse of what made Sabu a cult hero. He was released from WWE in 2007 but never left the ring for long, continuing to compete well into his later years.
Sabu’s death marks the end of an era. Few wrestlers embodied the raw, dangerous, and unpredictable energy of ‘90s ECW like he did. Whether crashing through tables wrapped in barbed wire or flying through the air with little regard for his own safety, Sabu lived the “hardcore” label in and out of the ring.
From smoky bingo halls to pay-per-view spotlights, his legacy will endure wherever fans celebrate wrestling without limits.
Rest in peace, Sabu.
WWE’s first premium live event following WrestleMania XL delivered on chaos, surprises, and hard-hitting drama. With four championship matches, an unexpected debut, and a main event filled with controversy, Backlash 2025 set the tone for a turbulent summer in WWE.
The United States Championship match exploded into action from the opening bell, with each man quickly rekindling post-WrestleMania rivalries. While Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest battled outside, LA Knight used the chaos to send Jacob Fatu crashing into the ring post. Momentum swung early and often, with Knight briefly taking control before Priest, McIntyre, and the champ started a cycle of signature offense.
An explosive exchange saw Fatu deliver a senton to McIntyre, only to eat Knight’s BFT, which led to a Priest chokeslam, followed by a Claymore from McIntyre — but no pinfall.
As the ring cleared, McIntyre seemed poised for victory after hitting Knight with a Claymore, but Priest yanked him out of the ring, robbing him once again. That sparked a brutal brawl between the two up the ramp and into the timekeeper’s area, culminating in Priest hitting South of Heaven off a production box through a table.
Back in the ring, Knight nearly had it won with a pair of elbow drops on Fatu — but the Samoan Werewolf refused to stay down. Just when Knight looked ready to end it, Solo Sikoa appeared to rescue the champion, dragging him to safety. That distraction allowed a mystery man, revealed to be Jeff Cobb, to ambush Knight.
Cobb demolished LA and fed him to a confused but opportunistic Fatu, who hit a moonsault for the pin. The champ retained, but his post-match stare-down with Sikoa and the debuting Cobb hinted that bigger moves may be in motion.
In a fiercely contested bout, Lyra Valkyria proved she’s more than a rising star — she’s a fighting champion. The challenger, Becky Lynch, leaned hard into her heel tendencies, taunting both the crowd and Lyra’s fiancé at ringside, using every trick in the book to get under the champ’s skin.
Despite Lynch’s mind games and underhanded tactics — including exposing a turnbuckle and going for a steel chair — Valkyria stayed composed. A key sequence saw her hit a devastating top-rope leg drop and later a Nightwing, but a delayed count due to Carr’s distraction allowed Lynch to kick out.
The finish came after a frenzied exchange of reversals and an eye poke from Lynch. Valkyria outsmarted the veteran by reversing a roll-up for the three-count. Lynch lost it post-match, refusing to release a Dis-Arm-Her on the champ. It took GM Adam Pearce and officials to restore order, with commentary speculating Valkyria may have suffered a broken nose.
Penta gave Dirty Dom all he could handle in this first-time-ever match, taking early control and stunning the champ with a destroyer on the apron. But Judgment Day’s presence loomed large, and when Penta dove onto Carlito and JD McDonagh, Finn Bálor was able to distract the referee.
That allowed El Grande Americano to strike — headbutting Penta with a loaded mask just as he prepared for a high-flying attack. Mysterio hit a frog splash to steal the win and retain the Intercontinental Championship. The Judgment Day stood tall on the ramp, looking more unified than they have in weeks.
Pat McAfee returned to the ring in front of a hyped St. Louis crowd, but found out quickly that Gunther doesn’t do comedy matches. The Austrian juggernaut brutalized McAfee with his signature stiff offense, but the commentator-turned-wrestler showed incredible heart.
A spirited comeback — and some help from Michael Cole, who actually grabbed Gunther’s foot — gave McAfee a glimmer of hope. A sleeper and roll-up nearly shocked the world, but in the end, Gunther’s technical dominance was too much. He choked McAfee out cold, winning via submission while sending a message that even entertainment personalities aren’t safe in his ring.
In a wild, main event clash filled with mind games and veteran counters, John Cena once again walked away as Undisputed Champion — but not without controversy.
The match began with mutual gamesmanship and turned personal quickly. Cena poked Orton in the eye during a fake handshake, and it was off to the races. The Viper dished out punishment with stomps, DDTs, and even a table spot on the outside. Cena responded with multiple Attitude Adjustments and even tried a punt kick of his own.
Ref bumps, interference teases, and multiple finisher kickouts left the match teetering on chaos. After Orton fought off GM Nick Aldis’ staff, R-Truth tried to intervene, only to be dropped with an RKO. That allowed Cena to blast Orton with the championship belt. With the referee slowly getting into position, Cena covered and scored the controversial win.
Post-match, Cena declared himself the last real champion and dismissed the crowd — but when a “Thank you Cena” chant broke out, the 16-time world champ paused, appearing to fight off emotion before walking to the back, title in hand.
John Cena attacks R-Truth at the WWE Backlash Press Conference
The WWE Backlash post-show press conference in St. Louis took an unexpected turn when 17-time World Champion John Cena made a surprise appearance—one that ended with R-Truth eating a table.
After quietly exchanging a few words with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Cena took the mic to a big reaction. Levesque dubbed him the “Greatest of All-Time” before handing over the floor, and Cena stepped up in a notably subdued tone. Sounding more like one of his introspective tweets than the fiery Cena fans are used to, the champ said he felt it was time to “step forward” and address the media personally following his latest successful title defense.
Cena promised to answer any question the press had, starting with one about his longtime rival and opponent from the Backlash main event, Randy Orton. But before he could get a word in, chaos arrived in the form of R-Truth.
Bursting into the room, Truth excitedly called out for his “childhood hero,” clearly thrilled to see Cena after his big win. At first, Cena took the interruption in stride with a smile. That changed quickly when Truth, in his usual mix of comedy and confusion, mentioned that some people say Cena “sucks and can’t wrestle.”
That struck a nerve.
Cena’s demeanor darkened, warning Truth that he’d crossed a line and better not push his luck. But, of course, Truth being Truth, he didn’t stop talking.
That’s when Cena snapped—lifting Truth and sending him crashing through the press conference table in front of a stunned media crowd.
While the status of Truth after the attack hasn’t been officially updated, it’s clear that Cena’s current title run is coming with a new edge—and a much shorter fuse. As for the soul-searching Cena alluded to? If this moment is any indication, it may be leading him down a darker path than fans are used to.
WWE Backlash – Saturday May 10 at 7 E/4 P – Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri
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WWE made headlines this week with news that several stars from Mexican promotion AAA had signed deals with the company—most notably current AAA Mega Champion Alberto Del Rio and luchadora La Hiedra. However, as with most things in wrestling, there’s more to the story than just new names coming in.
According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer, these signings aren’t about immediate WWE appearances. Instead, they’re strategic moves aimed at locking down talent for WWE’s interests in the Mexico market. That means fans shouldn’t expect Del Rio showing up on Raw or SmackDown anytime soon—if at all.
“These are new deals, not extensions of their AAA contracts,” Meltzer clarified. “They’re designed for WWE’s presence in Mexico, not necessarily to bring these performers onto U.S. television.” While someone like El Hijo del Vikingo might eventually appear on NXT or even get a featured moment on a WWE show, the broader intention seems to be talent containment—particularly when it comes to keeping names away from AEW.
Why WWE Is Playing Defense
WWE’s sudden interest in AAA talents isn’t just about expanding its global roster—it’s also about guarding against competition. Meltzer noted that WWE is being especially cautious after AEW was able to feature NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer at Forbidden Door. WWE reportedly had a chance to sign her before AEW secured that moment, and now the company seems keen on avoiding similar situations.
In fact, Meltzer suggested that anyone performing on the upcoming Los Angeles AAA show—seen as a high-profile stage—might be required to sign a WWE deal just to keep other promotions, particularly AEW, from swooping in.
The Del Rio Controversy
Of course, Del Rio’s name attached to any WWE-related news will stir up debate, given his history of legal troubles and serious past accusations. While nothing has been announced about him returning to WWE programming, his inclusion in these deals is already raising eyebrows. WWE has yet to make any public statement on the matter.
What’s Next?
This isn’t just about who WWE is signing—it’s about where the company is setting its sights. Mexico has long been a key market for WWE, and locking down AAA talents is a clear sign that the company wants to plant deeper roots there. Additional signings are expected, and with AEW also working to strengthen its international reach, this looks like the beginning of another promotional tug-of-war.
For now, don’t expect a flood of AAA stars walking through the curtain on WWE TV—but the chess game is definitely in motion.
WWE’s latest talent purge caught fans off guard, with some unexpected names making the list of recent departures. Among those released were big-name veterans like Braun Strowman and emerging stars such as Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin. But behind the scenes, there’s more to the story than just trimming the roster — and according to reports from Wrestling Observer Radio, the reasons vary significantly from talent to talent.
Braun Strowman’s Price Tag May Have Been Too Much
When it comes to Braun Strowman, the reason for his release appears to be pretty straightforward: money. Dave Meltzer reported that sources within WWE felt Strowman’s salary far outweighed his current usage and value to the company. Since suffering a serious hamstring injury, the towering former Universal Champion hasn’t returned to the dominant form he once displayed — which made it tough for management to justify his hefty paycheck.
Age and Upside Factor Into Several Cuts
Meltzer also suggested that age and limited potential for growth played a role in a number of the decisions. Shayna Baszler’s release, for instance, was reportedly due to her age, despite her unique presence and in-ring credibility. WWE never fully leaned into what made Baszler special during her run, and it seems that inconsistency caught up with her.
Injury Concerns and Career Trajectories
Dakota Kai is another notable name whose release raised eyebrows. Meltzer hinted that WWE viewed her as injury-prone, though he believes AEW or TNA could be logical next steps for her. Shotzi, whose contract is expiring, wasn’t technically released, but with no non-compete clause in her case, she’ll be free to work elsewhere once that deal is officially up. Her hustle and resilience have earned her plenty of respect backstage, which could help her land on her feet quickly.
NXT Stars Struggle to Break Through
The cuts also hit WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, especially hard. Cora Jade, once seen as a breakout star, reportedly never regained her momentum after returning from injury. Gigi Dolin, a standout from the Toxic Attraction era, is said to have plateaued, with WWE uncertain about her long-term main roster potential.
Eddy Thorpe and Riley Osborne were also part of the talent sweep. Thorpe was reportedly let go because the company didn’t see him as a main roster fit, while Osborne’s release wasn’t performance-based, and Meltzer even floated the idea that AEW could give him a look. As for Dani Palmer, despite strong athleticism, she seemingly never gained enough internal support within NXT, and a recent injury didn’t help her case.
Palmer has since announced that she is retiring from pro wrestling due to getting injured in her last match against Kali Armstrong on WWE’s Evolve show, in February. She disclosed that she tore her knee in that match.
Work Ethic a Quiet Factor?
Finally, there’s an undercurrent to all of this that can’t be ignored. Meltzer noted that sources hinted at some of the cuts being tied to a perceived lack of effort in training. While no names were confirmed in that regard, it suggests WWE is paying closer attention to behind-the-scenes dedication as much as on-screen performance.
With so many promotions now in play — from AEW to TNA and even global independents — many of these talents will have the chance to reinvent themselves elsewhere. But this latest round of WWE releases is another reminder that in today’s wrestling landscape, no spot is ever guaranteed.
WWE NXT tonight on The CW at 8/7c.
Mexican promotion AAA is ramping up its presence on the wrestling calendar in a major way. During a press conference this week, the legendary Mexican promotion announced TripleMania Regia, set for June 15, 2025, at Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. The event is shaping up to be a massive showcase — not just for AAA’s homegrown talent, but also for stars from TNA Wrestling and WWE.
This will mark the first major event held under AAA’s new ownership umbrella, as WWE continues to finalize its acquisition of the lucha libre promotion. Thanks to that developing relationship, several WWE names are already confirmed for the card. Tag team duo Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza — both of whom have history in AAA — are officially set to appear, alongside AAA stalwarts like Alberto El Patrón, Psycho Clown, and Hijo del Vikingo. WWE Hall of Famer JBL is also advertised to appear, having made prior guest appearances with the promotion.
Though no matches have been announced yet, the inclusion of talent from TNA (via their ongoing partnership with WWE) adds another layer of intrigue to the event. With the newly revived Worlds Collide set to take place just one week earlier on June 7 at the Kia Forum in California, TripleMania Regia could serve as a follow-up celebration of cross-promotional wrestling with deep international flavor.
But not everyone is thrilled with the timing.
The June 15 date has stirred controversy, as it lands just three days before AEW is scheduled to host its first-ever television event in Mexico, AEW Grand Slam Mexico, on June 18 at Arena Mexico. The overlap hasn’t gone unnoticed, with AEW’s Tony Schiavone taking a jab at the timing, implying AAA and WWE’s announcement may have been a strategic counter.
Meanwhile, WWE is leaning into lucha tradition as it looks to bolster its foothold in the Latin American market. Rey Mysterio — a WWE Hall of Famer and a longtime fixture in AAA — recently appeared in promotional material for Worlds Collide, highlighting lucha libre’s cultural legacy and its influence on global wrestling.
With TripleMania Regia now positioned as a tentpole event for both AAA and WWE’s partnership, all eyes will be on how the card shapes up — and how AEW responds in its bid to gain traction in Mexico.
As WWE edges closer to finalizing its rumored acquisition of Mexican wrestling powerhouse Lucha Libre AAA, more questions are being raised than answered—especially when it comes to talent contracts. With many AAA stars historically working under non-exclusive deals, the situation surrounding their future, and their potential roles within WWE, has taken an unexpected and controversial turn.
In a report shared early Monday by SuperLuchas’ Ernesto Ocampo, it was revealed that several high-profile AAA talents have signed new contracts directly with WWE. Among those reportedly putting pen to paper are El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., El Hijo del Vikingo, La Parka, Lady Flammer, Lady Maravilla, Nino Hamburguesa, La Hiedra, and current AAA Mega Champion Alberto El Patron (formerly Alberto Del Rio).
While many assumed WWE would inherit existing contracts through the acquisition, Ocampo clarified via X (formerly Twitter) that this isn’t the case. “Those contracts are of no use to WWE,” he wrote, explaining that WWE’s legal structure mandates entirely new deals featuring exclusive rights, intellectual property clauses, and strict termination provisions—standards AAA’s previous agreements typically lacked. This explains why WWE is issuing fresh contracts to the talent, regardless of the acquisition status.
Adding further credibility to the report, Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer later confirmed that the mentioned luchadors had signed new WWE contracts. Notably, Meltzer singled out Alberto El Patron, confirming his return to WWE nearly a decade after his last run ended in 2016.
However, the signings come with heavy baggage—particularly in Del Rio’s case. Once a four-time WWE World Champion, Del Rio’s reputation has taken a hit over the years due to serious legal and personal controversies. He was accused by Saraya (fka Paige in WWE) of abusive behavior during their relationship—allegations he denied. More seriously, in 2020, he was arrested and charged with sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping. The charges were eventually dismissed in late 2021, but the damage to his public image lingered.
La Hiedra’s alleged involvement in another disturbing incident could also complicate matters. Rumors suggest she may be under a restraining order by current NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer. The situation stems from an alleged harassment campaign by Hiedra, Forastero, and Sansón following domestic violence accusations made by Vaquer against then-boyfriend Cuatrero—Sansón’s brother and Forastero’s cousin. Cuatrero was arrested and charged with attempted femicide and domestic violence, only being released from prison this past April.
Despite the drama, it’s important to note that neither Ocampo nor Meltzer have confirmed if any of the newly signed talent are set to appear on WWE programming—or if they’ll be featured exclusively in AAA under WWE’s potential ownership. Still, the headlines alone are bound to generate buzz, both among fans and within the wrestling industry.
As WWE moves closer to finalizing the AAA deal, the spotlight will only intensify on how the company handles these controversial additions to its talent pool—and whether the reputational risk is worth the upside of expanding its reach into the lucha libre market.
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