Many pro wrestlers have been influenced by the work that Sabu put out during his career. His innovative offense in ECW piqued the world’s attention in a big way, because few had seen that brand of violence before.
Sabu’s body has taken a tremendous amount of abuse over the years. Sadly, he doesn’t really have a lot to show for it as he looks back at the history he was a huge part of.
During a recent episode of Foley is Pod, Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy spoke about Sabu, and his influence on the pro wrestling business. It is Foley’s hope that Sabu will someday get the credit he really deserves.
“Sabu is another guy I’d like to see get his accolades. It’s just a shame that when the only crime — the only thing Sabu ever did was get older. A lot of the people who were on the bandwagon see him, you know, he hasn’t gone on to be part of people’s childhoods the way that we had the opportunity to, so the wave of popularity goes from here, then there’s a big downturn and then one day when Halloween, you realize that people are dressing up like you for Halloween. You’re no longer irrelevant. You’re now part of people’s childhoods,” said Mick Foley. “Also, he didn’t have a chance to endear himself to people. I understand why he didn’t speak. He was the nephew of The Sheik, and The Sheik, I don’t think, spoke and if he did, it was rarely. It was never more than a few words. He was sticking to that character.”
“[Sabu] never found that other gear to shift into, which usually involves comedy. Ric [Flair] was connecting with audiences more efficiently ten years past his physical prime. DX, clearly, humor was on display as Shawn Michaels and Triple H got older. [Sabu] didn’t have that other gear. Unfortunately, as time goes by, you’re seeing the same guy do things a little bit slower. And fans can be man, they can be pretty merciless. Yeah. They can be very forgiving, and they can be great, but they can be pretty merciless when somebody’s stumbling.”
Sabu’s influence on the pro wrestling business is great, and many are still entertaining the masses thanks to the trail that he blazed before them. Perhaps WWE will give Sabu his Hall of Fame induction some day, and WrestleMania 40’s Philly location could very well open the door for an ECW class in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Sabu is still doing his thing, although his schedule is greatly reduced. He had a little health scare recently, but he soon assured fans that he’s doing okay. Keep checking back with Ringside News for more!
What’s your take on Sabu’s influence on the business? Does he deserves more accolades? Sound off in the comments!