[ECW] Two Former Champs Plead Guilty

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The Ironton Tribune has written a follow-up story to the one they broke on former WWE and ECW Champion Rob Van Dam and former NWA and ECW Champion Sabu’s July 2 drug arrests. Both men pleaded guilty to misdemeanor crimes yesterday in Ironton Municipal Court, and will pay court costs and finesas punishment.

According to the report, Robert Alex Szatowski (Van Dam) and Terry Michael Brunk (Sabu) arrived at court along with Van Dam’s wife Sonya, and were greeted by several fans. The paper writes that the wrestlers “directed obscene hand gestures” at the media, and refused to talk with them.

Sabu pleaded guilty to third-degree possession of drugs, with the possession of drug paraphernalia charge dropped as part of a plea bargain. It has been widely reported on wrestling Web sites and in industry newsletters that the drugs Sabu possessed were those commonly used to remove excess fat around the pectoral muscles. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail, with time suspended, and will pay a $500 fine and court costs.

Van Dam pleaded guilty to driving 73 mph in a 55 mph zone as well as third-degree possession of marijuana, with his charge of possession of Vicodin dropped since they were prescribed by a doctor. He has to pay $140 in fines and court costs.

Prior to the court date, WWE handed down their own punishments to the wrestlers, with RVD getting suspended for 30 days without pay (and dropping both WWE and ECW Championships shortly after the arrest) and Sabu being fined $1000. Both men are back on TV and wrestling a full-time schedule.

Matthew Michaels is editor emeritus of Pulse Wrestling, and has been since the site launched.