PAC dies at 40 one day after final match, weeks after peer Andy Williams' passing

Key points

• Benjamin Satterley, known as PAC, died at age 40, with AEW announcing his passing on Sunday night.
• Satterley competed in his final match at AEW's All Out pay-per-view in Chicago on Saturday, challenging Andrade El Idolo for the National Championship.
• No cause of death has been released for Satterley, and authorities in Chicago and Cook County have not provided details.
• Satterley had publicly mourned fellow wrestler Andy Williams on September 17, just 10 days before his own death.
• Andy Williams, known as The Butcher, died at age 48 after collapsing during a tag-team match in Millvale, Pennsylvania, in early September.

Background

Satterley, a native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, began his wrestling career in 2004 and signed with AEW in 2019. He was the inaugural AEW All-Atlantic Champion and a two-time World Trios Champion. Previously, he wrestled for WWE as Adrian Neville from 2012 to 2018, holding the Cruiserweight, NXT, and NXT Tag Team Championships. His death follows the passing of Andy Williams, who was also an early AEW signee and a guitarist for the band Every Time I Die. Williams died after a medical emergency during a match in Pennsylvania, with no preliminary cause of death stated by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.

How outlets are covering it

All Elite Wrestling, CNN, and Fox News confirmed Satterley's death and highlighted his career achievements, including his high-flying style and multiple championships. AEW's owner Tony Khan praised Satterley's professionalism and dedication. CNN noted his record of 147 matches in AEW, with 94 wins. Fox News emphasized the lack of clarity regarding the circumstances of his death, noting that local police and medical examiners had not provided comments. The New York Post focused on the emotional connection between Satterley and Williams, highlighting Satterley's tribute to Williams just before his own passing. All sources agreed that no cause of death has been released for either wrestler.

Why it matters

The deaths of two prominent AEW wrestlers within a short period have raised concerns about the safety and health of professional wrestlers. Satterley's death, occurring just one day after his final match, has prompted widespread mourning in the wrestling community and calls for greater transparency regarding the causes of such incidents. The lack of information from authorities has led to speculation and concern among fans and peers.

What to watch

Investigations into the causes of death for both Satterley and Williams are ongoing, with no preliminary results released. The wrestling community is expected to continue mourning and paying tribute to both wrestlers, with potential calls for improved safety measures in professional wrestling. AEW and other promotions may face increased scrutiny regarding the health and safety of their performers.