Sabu spent more than three decades in the wrestling business, and in the 1990’s, he became one of ECW’s top stars, earning himself two ECW World Heavyweight Championships as well as numerous other accolades.
While he was originally trained as a technical wrestler by his uncle The Shiek, he is most known for hardcore wrestling, performing multiple dangerous stunts throughout his career. Some of his high-flying attempts didn’t always go to plan, and the star incurred numerous injuries throughout his career.
Speaking as part of a panel on Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager At Sea that was later aired via Talk is Jericho, the legendary performer opened up about his career and made the surprising claim that everything he did in the ring was calculated, even when appearing as a mistake to wrestling fans.
“I didn’t do anything in the ring that I didn’t practice. I wasn’t a crazy stuntman. I was a calculated wrestler, I would say.”
Continuing, Sabu said the fact that everyone thought he was out of control meant that he was doing his job well, even if those watching didn’t believe that to be the case.
“The trick was to make everybody think I’m crazy and I don’t know what I’m doing, but not the boss. So Vince [McMahon] and a few of the guys thought I was out of control which meant I did my job, but not really to them because they thought I was out of control but I wasn’t. But I never did any bump I didn’t already do in practice. Over and over.”
“Half Those Botches Were A Work” – ECW Legend Sabu Insists He Planned Dangerous Spots
Jericho asked Sabu about one particular incident where he set up a chair, jumped off the chair to the ring ropes, and then fell onto his opponent. The star insisted that he planned that spot and even practiced it for months in advance.
“That wasn’t spontaneous, just looked that way. I practiced that for months before I did it, I had the confidence to realize I could stand on the rope without falling.
“I tell you, half those botches were a work. I planned those.”
h/t WrestlingInc