GCW Owner Brett Lauderdale Denies Drugging Sabu Before Final Match

Lauderdale took to Twitter to address the accusations head-on, saying he was devastated when he learned of Sabus passing. He wrote:

When I received word of Sabus passing on Sunday, I was devastated. I have known Sabu personally for almost 20 years and been in constant contact with him for the last 2 years. We were friends, and I cared about him and had/have deep respect for him.

Lauderdale explained that he and Sabu were in regular contact leading up to the match, and he never pressured Sabu to wrestle. Instead, he claims he was supportive and encouraged Sabu to enjoy the moment.

In the months leading up to the match, I told him repeatedly how much I believed in him and how excited I was for him to finally get his flowers and be celebrated the way he had earned and deserved. He was both nervous and excited, but determined to give the fans one last extreme performance to remember.

Lauderdale was emphatic that neither he nor GCW provided Sabu with any substances. ANY suggestion that I or GCW or Joey Janela forced him to do this match, supplied him with substances or somehow caused his death is irresponsible, disingenuous, hurtful, and false, Lauderdale stated.

Lauderdale added that he has a track record of pulling wrestlers from matches if he feels they arent in a condition to perform safely.

I would never knowingly put someone who I believed was a danger to themselves or others in the ring and my track record shows this to be true. I have pulled people in a public and painful manner from big matches before, sometimes literal moments before a match was to begin and I would do it again if I had to.

Lauderdale also revealed that he spoke to Sabu right before the match and again the following day at WrestleCon. I spoke to Sabu moments before the match, and he was Sabu. He was the same Sabu I had encountered in years past when I participated in his matches as a referee and later as a promoter, he said.

Addressing Sabus physical state and the toll his wrestling career took on him, Lauderdale said:

The truth is Sabu lived a hard life both in and outside the ring. He was fearless and reckless qualities that both endeared him to millions and made us worry about him at the same time. Decades of extreme took its toll and no matter what we want to believe, nobody is immortal.

Lauderdale ended his statement with a heartfelt message to Sabu and his family:

WHILE SABU WILL LIVE FOREVER, Terry Brunk will not and unfortunately his time has finally come. Its sad, and my heart goes out to his friends and family and I join them in mourning his loss. I feel lucky and blessed to have known him and I am proud to have been able to host his final match. Sabu was a legend and his impact in our world was immeasurable. He will never be forgotten.

This all started when a fan accused GCW of exploiting Sabu just to sell tickets. The fan tweeted:

So GCW/Brett drugged Sabu knowing he was unable to wrestle that night or at least having issues in the name of making 2,000 fans happy rather than prioritizing a f**** old retired legends health. Im SO f****** disappointed to ever support GCW and buy tickets to their shows.

Joey Janela fired back, denying that GCW provided Sabu with any substances. We didnt give him kratom his team did, its also not illegal and 85% of professional wrestlers do it especially the ones on TV, Janela said.

Janela maintained that Sabu was an adult who made his own choices. Sabu was a grown man, he did what he had to do to get out there. I took care of him to the best of my ability, I didnt think what happened halfway through would happen, Janela stated.

Despite the backlash, Janela remained unapologetic, telling the fan to Kiss my ass.

The situation surrounding Sabus final match has become a contentious topic among fans, with many questioning whether he should have been in the ring at all given his condition. Lauderdales statement made it clear that he stands by GCWs handling of Sabus last match, but the controversy isnt going away anytime soon.