By: “DragonKingKarl” Karl Stern (Patreon)

Professional Wrestling Historian: Author of DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus

Numerous news outlets including Wrestling Observer, the BBC, and the pro wrestling promotion AEW have announced that pro wrestling star Pac has died at the age of 40. So far, no cause of death has been listed.

Update: The Wrestling Observer website has updated the story written by Joseph Currier:

While the full picture remains unclear, some new details have emerged regarding the death of PAC.

The California Post obtained 911 dispatch call audio confirming that PAC (40-year-old Benjamin Satterley) was found unresponsive outside of a CAVA restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois on Sunday (September 27). The restaurant is located near the area of Chicago O’Hare International Airport, with AEW All Out 2026 having been held in Hoffman Estates the previous night.

According to the dispatch audio, PAC was slumped over in a vehicle outside of the restaurant, which led to emergency personnel being alerted. It’s believed that he was discovered dead on arrival.

A witness tells the California Post that customers from CAVA noticed PAC passed out and looked to see if there was any medical equipment in the restaurant that could help him.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office says PAC was pronounced dead at 4:08 p.m., and his cause of death is pending additional testing following an initial autopsy. No signs of foul play or trauma were observed. Officials do not believe the circumstances of his death were suspicious.

PAC had just performed at All Out the previous night, facing AEW National Champion Andrade El Idolo. Losing a beloved performer less than 24 hours after what ended up being his final match has made this situation especially difficult to process for both fans and those who knew PAC.

AEW has Dynamite coming up in Pittsburgh this Wednesday, where the promotion will likely hold a PAC tribute show in some form.

The original BBC article states:

Wrestler Benjamin Satterley, known as Pac, dies aged 40 by Tabby Wilson:

British wrestler Benjamin Satterley, known as Pac, has died, his representatives have confirmed.

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) said it was "saddened to announce the passing" of Satterley, 40, who they said had signed with them in 2019.

The wrestler's death was confirmed just a day after he participated in AEW's "All Out" event at an arena in Chicago on Saturday evening.

"A native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Satterley began his wrestling career in 2004 and went on to perform for wrestling organizations all over the world, captivating fans with innovative high-flying moves and incredible in-ring ability," AEW said in a statement.

No cause of death has been provided.

Satterley held multiple AEW Championships, and the organisation said he had competed in "some of the most memorable matches in AEW history".

Prior to his partnership with AEW, he also performed in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in Mexico.

He had a number of different personas during his career including Pac, Adrian Neville and "The Man that Gravity Forgot". The latter was in reference to a signature finishing move which saw him spin 360 degrees from the top rope of the wrestling ring and land on his opponent.
'Tremendous talent'

Many of the tributes paid to Satterley have expressed shock at his death.

WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman described it as a "truly terrible loss" and said he was a "tremendous talent and even finer human being".

AEW President Tony Khan said he "defined excellence" as a husband, friend and in his wrestling knowledge, skill and "unprecedented athleticism".

"The greatest export from our country. Also the greatest human being," fellow British wrestler Will Ospreay wrote on X, sharing a photo of the pair in the ring together.

"I am in shock. This is heartbreaking," AEW wrestler Evil Uno said.

"We have lost another great person, a great soul, a true professional."

Tom Campbell, a commentator from the Newcastle-based Cultaholic Wrestling YouTube channel, said Satterley was a North East legend and "one of one".

"To be able to work with him and watch how incredible he is was something else.

"He was a Geordie lad that took on the entire wrestling world and has left a mark that will not be forgotten, and will not be taken away very soon," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

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