Backstage Update on Joey Janela’s Interview About Sabu’s Retirement Match, Janela Clarifies His Comments

As noted before, Indie Wrestling Hall of Famer and ECW legend Sabu passed away on Sunday at the age of 60. Joey Janela and Game Changer Wrestling faced online backlash over controversial comments made by Janela and GCW owner Brett Lauderdale during a recent interview about their handling of Sabu’s health situation for his retirement match at this past April’s Joey Janela’s Spring Break 9 event.

Fightful Select reported that Sabu had stated in the past that kratom was important in helping him get off of opiates. This was something Janela had revealed that Sabu had taken so that he could get through his retirement match.

It was reported that their sources confirmed that Janela’s interview with Yahoo Sports’ The Uncrowned took place shortly after his match with Sabu. Janela reportedly claimed that he embellished some elements of the match itself to add to the “lore” of Sabu.

In regards to GCW, it was reported that GCW officials were frustrated, embarrassed and humiliated by the interview itself. GCW owner Lauderdale reportedly did speak to Joey Janela about the interview and situation but it is currently not known what came from this talk.

It was reported that there has not been any indication so far that Sabu’s match or anything related to Janela’s interview story had a connection with Sabu’s passing. Sabu reportedly had worked WrestleCon’s convention event shortly after the match.

Janela recently clarified his comments on Twitter about Sabu’s usage of kratom for his retirement match and apologized to someone he lashed out on social media over the backlash he received from the interview.

“I’m truly devastated over this and this whole deal has really affected me. Kratom is something Sabu took daily for years it helped him get off other substances, Sabu loved his weed & Kratom his body was wrecked doing what he loved for 40 years.

I did an interview for that article 2 days after the match not knowing what would transpire weeks later & I said he was “knocked out” after that spot when despite being a rough deal, he was not that. I was just trying to add to the lore and unpredictably of sabu. I loved sabu he was legitimately my idol growing up, & my friend I just wanted to give him & the fans one last great sabu spectacle.

I’m sorry for lashing out at you but your tweet caused a snowball affect that has many people saying I was in part responsible for my friends death. Sabu was fine after, the day after signed at wrestlecon and has been doing many appearances since, I don’t know what the cause of death all I can say is I wouldn’t change a thing & happy he went out on top.”

I’m truly devastated over this and this whole deal has really affected me. Kratom is something Sabu took daily for years it helped him get off other substances, Sabu loved his weed & Kratom his body was wrecked doing what he loved for 40 years.

I did an interview for that… https://t.co/jtLM8S5M6g

— “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela (@JANELABABY) May 12, 2025