Benjamin Satterley, Pro Wrestler Known as Pac, Dies at Age 40

All Out at the NOW Arena

A Global Wrestling Icon’s Final Match

Satterley, a native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, competed in AEW’s All Out pay-per-view on Saturday at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, before his death. He faced Andrade El Ídolo for the AEW National Championship and lost. A cause of death remains undisclosed, with AEW stating only that the news was announced late Sunday on [its] website.

WWE and the Death Riders

His career began in 2004, and he quickly gained recognition for his high-flying style and technical prowess. Satterley trained at 18 after developing an interest for the sport through his aunt, who was a fan of the WWF, according to MN2S, his booking agency. He worked night shifts at a courier factory during this time, a detail he shared in an interview with the Art of Wrestling podcast. I look back on it very fondly, but it was a tough time in my life, he said. His nickname Pac originated from a childhood habit of showing off his abs to his father, a playful nod that stuck through his career.

Satterley rose to prominence in the British independent scene before joining WWE in 2012 under the name Adrian Neville. He earned the nickname The Man That Gravity Forgot for his signature corkscrew shooting star press, a move that became a career highlight. After a roughly six-year stint with WWE, he joined AEW in 2019, where he became a central figure in the Death Riders faction and won multiple titles, including the All-Atlantic Championship in 2022. In AEW, he was also a two-time AEW World Trios Champion and the inaugural AEW International Champion.

Will Ospreay and Bryce Remsburg

Tributes Pour In from the Wrestling Community

Wrestlers and fans alike expressed profound grief over Satterley’s passing. AEW World Champion Will Ospreay called him the greatest export from our country. Also the greatest human being, while fellow wrestler Evil Uno described him as a great soul, a true professional. AEW referee Bryce Remsburg, who shared a decadeslong friendship with Satterley, remembered him as Ben — who brought them Kinder Eggs from the UK, who converted them to Newcastle fans. Remsburg also noted Satterley’s in-ring legacy: Watching a Black Arrow from inside the ring still takes my breath away.

Other tributes included remarks from wrestlers like Kevin Owens, who posted photos of himself with Satterley, and Alexa Bliss, who wrote, I cannot believe this. RIP PAC 💔. Satterley’s career spanned WWE, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, where he was known for his versatility and global appeal. His AEW persona, The Bastard, reflected his brash in-ring persona, though his personal humility shone through in interviews. Satterley was also known as The Super Superman and The Man That Gravity Forgot for his unique style.

NXT and AEW International Championship

A Legacy of Resilience and Innovation

Satterley’s journey to professional wrestling was marked by perseverance. He began training after working night shifts at a courier factory, a detail he shared in an interview with the Art of Wrestling podcast. I look back on it very fondly, but it was a tough time in my life, he said. His nickname Pac originated from a childhood habit of showing off his abs to his father, a playful nod that stuck through his career.

Despite his success, Satterley often spoke about his insecurities, admitting, I’ve got this kind of rejection complex… I fear failure. Yet his resilience defined his career. In AEW, he became a two-time AEW World Trios Champion and the inaugural AEW International Champion, cementing his status as a pioneer in the promotion. His ability to blend speed, agility, and power made him a standout in a field of elite athletes. Satterley also won the NXT Championship in WWE’s developmental adjunct and later became a two-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion.

As the wrestling world grapples with his loss, Satterley’s impact endures. His legacy is etched in the moves he popularized, the titles he earned, and the bonds he forged with colleagues and fans. The best lad… We love you, wrote one tribute, encapsulating the widespread admiration for a man who lived his passion with unyielding dedication. Satterley’s career spanned WWE, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, where he was known for his versatility and global appeal. His AEW persona, The Bastard, reflected his brash in-ring persona, though his personal humility shone through in interviews.