AEW Star Pac Dies at 40, One Day After All Out Title Match

Key points

• AEW announced the death of Benjamin Satterley, known as Pac, on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
• Satterley was 40 years old and a native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
• He competed in the opening match of the AEW All Out pay-per-view in Chicago on Saturday, September 26, 2026, against Andrade El Ídolo.
• Satterley held multiple AEW championships, including the inaugural AEW All-Atlantic Championship and the AEW World Trios Championship.
• He previously wrestled for WWE under the ring name Adrian Neville and for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
• No cause of death has been released by AEW or other sources.

Background

Satterley began his wrestling career in 2004 and signed with AEW in 2019. He was known for his innovative high-flying moves and earned nicknames such as 'King of the Cruiserweights' and 'The Man That Gravity Forgot.' His death comes a few weeks after another AEW wrestler, Andy Williams, known as The Butcher, died after collapsing at an independent match in Pennsylvania.

How outlets are covering it

CNN and Newsday both reported the death of Satterley, emphasizing his high-flying style and multiple championships. CNN noted that he held multiple AEW Championships and competed in memorable matches, while Newsday highlighted his international journey and his time in WWE under the name Adrian Neville. Both sources confirmed that no cause of death was provided. The njpw1972.com source did not provide additional details but expressed condolences from New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Why it matters

Satterley's death is a significant loss to the professional wrestling community, given his status as a multi-time champion and a respected figure in the industry. His passing just one day after a major pay-per-view event underscores the physical demands and risks associated with professional wrestling. The lack of information about the cause of death has raised concerns and questions among fans and peers.

What to watch

The wrestling community is expected to continue paying tribute to Satterley in the coming days. AEW and other promotions may hold memorial events or matches in his honor. The circumstances and cause of his death may be clarified in the future, but as of now, no official statement has been released.