VIEW FROM THE RISING SUN
by Masanori Horie

Where Will He Go?

Sabu and Masanori, Tokyo, May 6, 2000

In February, the news that Sabu had signed a deal with WCW gave a shock to us. ECW has claimed that Sabu is still technically under contract with them and has threatened to sue Sabu and some indy offices if Sabu wrestles for them. But, he could wrestle for BCW in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, JAPW in New Jersey, XPW in California, and Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Sabu returned to his wife's country, Japan. Sabu is free to work abroad. However, the talent relationship between FMW (Shoichi Arai) and ECW (Paul Heyman) is said to be done, when FMW used Sabu from May 3-5, 2000, and ECW didn't send New Jack and Balls Mahoney for their scheduled FMW tour from April 29 to May 5.

Sabu in JAPW (Photo credit: 1Wrestling.com / Mike Johnson and Mary Kate Grosso)

Paul Heyman has to maintain order in his business and save his company. Sabu hurt loyal ECW fans' minds. But, we have to realize what Sabu has done for ECW and for us for over six years since his ECW debut on October 1, 1993. Wrestling is his business, and it is our hobby. He has a family (mom, wife, and a dog) like everyone else. He is only doing what is best for him. Now, nobody knows if Sabu will no longer return to the ECW. Nobody knows when he gets a full release. Sabu is just planning to return to Japan at the end of May.

Sabu in XPW (Photo credit: Extreme Pro Wrestling)

Sabu's track:

Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) ( www.ecwwrestling.com )
January 9, 2000---Boutwell Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama
Rob Van Dam beat Sabu (14:40)

Border City Wrestling (BCW) ( getit.at/bcw )
March 29, 2000---Ciocaro Club, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
"March Break Down"
Hardcore match: Sabu beat Rhino

Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW) ( www.angelfire.com/yt/japw )
April 7, 2000---Suicidal Hall, Bayonne, New Jersey
Three Way Dance: Sabu beat Low Ki' and Billy Reil

Extreme Pro-Wrestling (XPW) ( www.xpwrestling.com )
April 15, 2000---Los Angeles Sports Arena
XPW World Heavyweight title match
Chris Candido beat Sabu and Shane Douglas

Stampede Wrestling ( www.stampedewrestling.com )
April 21, 2000---The Ogden Legion, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Sabu beat "Hotshot" Johnny Devine

Extreme Pro Wrestling (XPW)
April 28, 2000---Majestic Ventura Theatre, Ventura, California
Sabu beat Kronus

Extreme Pro-Wrestling (XPW)
April 29, 2000---Los Angeles Sports Arena, California
XPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament
Final: Sabu beat The Messiah---Sabu became the new XPW Heavyweight Champion
Round 2: Sabu beat "The Real Deal" Damien Steele
Round 1: Sabu beat Kronus

FMW ( www.ibj.co.jp/fmw )
May 3, 2000---Hamata StarLanes, Fukuoka, Japan
Sabu & Masato Tanaka beat "H" & Mr. Gannosuke (17:48 Tanaka beat "H")

May 4, 2000---IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan
"H", Mr. Gannosuke, & Koji Nakagawa beat Sabu, Masato Tanaka, & Crazy Boy (14:52 "H" beat Crazy Boy)

May 5, 2000---Komazawa Park Gym, Tokyo, Japan
"FMW Backdraft 2000"
Sabu drew Mr. Gannosuke (10:55 No Contest)