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The wrestling world misplaced when its most “homicidal, genocidal, and death-defying” figures in May 2025 when ECW legend Sabu, actual title Terrance Brunk, handed away on the age of 60. In a tragic type of irony, Dark Side of the Ring, among the finest reveals on the 2025 TV schedule and a program each wrestling fan ought to watch, got here out with an episode about Sabu’s uncle, The Original Sheik, lately.
This was all the time one of many most anticipated tales from the present’s sixth season, and that anticipation led to one of many emotional experiences I’ve had with wresting in a while with its exploration of The Original Sheik, his impression on wrestling, and the way he modified the lifetime of the person we all know as Sabu.
Though Most Of The Episode Is About The Original Sheik, It Spends A Lot Of Time With Sabu
If you haven’t already, return and watch the most recent episode of Dark Side of the Ring (after which watch each different episode of the long-running docuseries), particularly in the event you aren’t too conversant in The Original Sheik. The episode does an incredible job of explaining the life and legacy of Edward Farhat, aka The Sheik, how he remodeled the enterprise, turned Detroit into one of many greatest wrestling markets within the nation, and stayed on high for many years.
Considering Sabu was the nephew of the WWE Hall of Famer and realized the enterprise throughout their time collectively, the episode additionally centered closely on the person who’d change into one of many greatest trailblazers of the ‘90s. From his time in Japan’s FMW to stints in WCW earlier than changing into an ECW mainstay, a whole lot of Saub’s profession was coated, which was an superior bonus.
Watching Sabu Talk About The Impact His Uncle Had On His Life And Career Was So Poignant Now That The ECW Legend Has Passed Away
Though Sabu was by no means actually a talker all through his profession, his enter offered for thus many nice moments all through Dark Side of the Ring. Both a wrestler, member of the family, and apprentice of The Original Sheik, Sabu had one unimaginable commentary after one other in regards to the man, the parable, the legend. Watching the late wrestler get emotional whereas speaking about how his uncle not solely taught him the ropes of the enterprise but in addition modified his life was extremely poignant and offered quite a lot of coronary heart.
Not Only Did I Leave The Episode With A Greater Understanding Of The Original Sheik, I Left With Even More Respect For Sabu Than Before
I knew about The Original Sheik earlier than testing the hour-long deep dive into his profession and legacy, however I left the episode with a higher understanding of his accomplishments and contributions to the game {of professional} wrestling. And the identical might be mentioned in regards to the late Sabu. Hearing him discuss his struggles as a child, his early days within the ring, and every thing he went via along with his uncle by his facet made me respect him a complete lot greater than I did earlier than (which was rather a lot, by the best way).
It wasn’t simply the wrestler who put himself via barbed wire weeks earlier than his loss of life, the loopy man who would leap via tables with reckless abandon, or the ECW legend who instructed a technology of younger wrestling followers that it was okay to be totally different; it was the person who was behind all of it. The whole package deal.
All in all, I simply must say relaxation in peace to Sabu and The Original Sheik and thank them for all of the blood, sweat, and tears they shed within the ring for many years. Though their intense and hardcore model isn’t for everybody, there’s no denying how a lot they modified the sport.