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

Key points

• Benjamin Satterley, known as 'Pac,' died at age 40, as announced by All Elite Wrestling on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
• Satterley competed in the AEW National Championship match against Andrade El Ídolo at the All Out event in Chicago on Saturday, September 26, just one day before his death was announced.
• The cause of death has not been disclosed by AEW or other outlets, and the circumstances remain unclear.
• Satterley was a native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and began his wrestling career in 2004, signing with AEW in 2019.
• He held multiple championships, including the inaugural AEW International Championship and two-time AEW World Trios Championship, and previously wrestled for WWE under the name Adrian Neville.

Background

Satterley's death follows the recent passing of fellow AEW wrestler Andy Williams, known as 'The Butcher,' who died at age 48 after collapsing at an independent match in Pennsylvania. Satterley had publicly mourned Williams in his final social media post. This marks the second high-profile AEW wrestler death in a short period, highlighting concerns about the physical toll of professional wrestling.

How outlets are covering it

All outlets (CBS News, CNN, ABC7 Chicago, Fox News) report the death of Benjamin Satterley at age 40, confirmed by AEW on Sunday, September 27, 2026. All note that he competed in the All Out event in Chicago on Saturday, September 26, and that no cause of death has been released. CNN and Fox News provide additional details on his career, including his time in WWE as Adrian Neville and his championships in AEW. ABC7 Chicago emphasizes the Chicago connection, noting the match took place in the city. All outlets highlight tributes from fellow wrestlers, including Will Ospreay and Kevin Owens, praising Satterley's impact and character. There are no significant disagreements among the sources, but CNN and Fox News offer more detailed career retrospectives, while ABC7 Chicago focuses on the local angle.

Why it matters

The death of a prominent AEW star just one day after a major pay-per-view event underscores the physical risks associated with professional wrestling and raises questions about athlete safety. Satterley's passing, following the recent death of Andy Williams, has prompted widespread mourning in the wrestling community and may lead to increased scrutiny of the industry's health and safety protocols.

What to watch

AEW and other wrestling promotions are expected to hold memorial events or tributes for Satterley. The lack of a disclosed cause of death may lead to further inquiries or statements from authorities or Satterley's representatives. The wrestling community is likely to continue paying tribute to Satterley's legacy, and there may be discussions about improving safety standards in professional wrestling.