Rob Van Dam, a longtime friend and also bitter in-ring rival of Sabu, paid tribute to the former ECW champion on social media following the announcement of his unexpected death.

RVD and Sabu were together at WrestleCon just a few weeks ago in Las Vegas during WrestleMania weekend, with Van Dam saying you never know when it is the last time that you’re together.

“Sabu was as irreplaceable in my life as he was in the industry. You all know how important he was to my career, and you know how much he meant to me personally,” RVD wrote. “He’s been a tremendous influence since I was 18 years old , when I met him.”

He said that learning to be an adult in the crazy world of professional wrestling can go in different ways, but he’s proud to have been able to carry many of Sheik and Sabu’s values, both in and out of the ring.

“Sabu helped make me the wrestler I am, the person I am, and I’ll always be proud of that and grateful. and because he loved the business more than anyone I know… WRESTlE IN PEACE,” he concluded.