With his mix of agility, athleticism and unique acrobatic mind, Ricochet is regarded as one of the best high flying pro wrestlers in the industry. The 36-year-old, who left WWE after being in the company for six years and joined up with AEW in August of 2024 has cited many influences for his in-ring style over the years, from Rey Mysterio to Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask in New Japan Pro Wrestling to AJ Styles and even anime characters like Goku and Naruto.
In light of his recent passing however, Ricochet made sure to mention that Terrance Michael Brunk, known more famously as Sabu in his pro wrestling tenure, was also one of his most important high-flying influences.
“He’s one of the original guys that I’ve seen doing the craziest stuff,” Ricochet said on a recent episode of The Battleground Podcast. “Sometimes it didn’t work out, but when it did work out, man, it was awesome. And so he goes up there for sure as one of those guys that really helped innovate the high-flying style that you see today.”
Sabu, who was a marquee name in the formative years of Extreme Championship Wrestling back in the mid to late ’90s, was known for his capricious, kamikaze, “Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal, Death-Defying” persona and high-risk, no-holds barred style. He pushed the limits of what was considered acceptable in pro wrestling even among a roster of extreme wrestlers, which says a lot about the risk-taking wildman. In addition to introducing scores of new fans in the United States to a much more acrobatic style of wrestling, Sabu was also known for engaging in extreme hardcore matches that featured tables, chairs and barbed wire and also taking bumps that defied the laws of nature.
Ricochet added that Sabu’s pioneering work was not only a big influence on his own style but the reason that many acrobatic pro wrestlers today decided to get into the business in the first place.
“If not for Sabu, I don’t think a lot of us would even be doing what we do,” he said, but then quickly got back into the heelish persona he’s exhibited in AEW by adding, “Actually, I remember giving him a 630 pinning him. So that’s another legend that I beat. But mad respect to Sabu.”
What do you think of the thoughts shared by Ricochet on Sabu’s influence in pro wrestling? Let us know in the comments.
