Sabus Final Years Show the Price He Paid for Being a Hardcore Icon

Meltzer began by addressing Sabus physical condition in his final years, noting the toll decades of hardcore wrestling took on his body. Sabu had a lot of issues from, you know, the painkillers from what he did, Meltzer said. He also mentioned that Sabu did take what looked like a bad bump in that match too where he kind of fell backwards to the floor, and hes 60 years old. You know, I mean, I know he hadnt wrestled in years.

Sabus personal life was also marked by heartbreak, which Meltzer emphasized while reflecting on a tragic loss that deeply affected Sabu. He went through some major heartbreak, you know, with his, I dont know if it was his girlfriend or whatever when she passed away, you know, which was years ago but, you know, at a very young age, Meltzer revealed. He suggested that the emotional pain compounded the physical punishment Sabu endured throughout his career.

Meltzer painted a grim picture of Sabus condition in the years after his ECW run, describing how promoters would book Sabu despite his deteriorating health. There were many horror stories before, and its kind of you know, I mean, he lived through them and since he was out of wrestling, you kind of hope that, you know, now that hes out of wrestling, were not going to see and hear them, Meltzer said.

He also discussed how Sabus hardcore persona became both a blessing and a curse, with Sabu feeling pressured to constantly outdo himself to live up to his reputation. He was mentally tough to be able to go out there, and every show he had to do it because that was the gimmick. The gimmick was that he worked harder than everybody else, Meltzer explained.

Meltzer recalled a conversation where Sabu refused to wear protective padding, saying, I remember like very early on, you know, they go like, how come you dont, you know, put more padding on? He goes, Because then people will say, oh, its not that tough. He wanted it to be tough.

Meltzer also expressed regret over how Sabus career unfolded, pointing out that Sabu never received the financial rewards that many wrestlers did in the late 90s. By the time, you know, the big money was there, I mean, he didnt quite get that big money during the late 90s run that perhaps he could have had things worked out differently, Meltzer said, implying that Sabus loyalty to ECW and hardcore wrestling may have cost him bigger paydays.

Despite the physical and emotional toll, Sabus reputation as a hardcore icon remained intact until his final days. Meltzer acknowledged Sabus last match against Joey Janela over WrestleMania weekend, saying, He picked up a lot of injuries. He went for a long time just had his retirement match at WrestleMania weekend with Joey Janela, which, you know, wish I went now, but thats how it goes.

Meltzer wrapped up his comments by reflecting on the double-edged sword of hardcore wrestling, particularly the influence ECW had on Sabu and countless others. Sometimes I think back and its like, oh, you know, wouldnt it be better if we didnt have people going, We want tables, which obviously started in ECW during every big match because theyre sitting there wanting people to pull out tables, Meltzer said. He noted that while Sabu gained fame through his willingness to go to extremes, the toll it took was undeniable.

Sabus career was marked by iconic moments in ECW, FMW, and WWE, where he delivered unforgettable matches against the likes of Rob Van Dam, Taz, and Terry Funk. But as Meltzers comments reveal, the hardcore legends life behind the scenes was filled with pain, heartbreak, and lingering injuries that haunted him long after the bell rang.

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