Every pro wrestling fan I know is trying to figure out how to even begin processing the death of Benjamin Satterley, who we mostly knew as PAC but for several years called Neville (and briefly Adrian Neville).
News of the 40-year-old’s passing came last night (Sept. 27), about 24 hours after he wrestled in the PPV opener at AEW All Out in Chicago. It was a match that by all accounts came off normally, and was casually excellent in the way PAC’s matches often were. I know for me, losing the Bastard
is a flashing neon reminder to appreciate greatness whenever and wherever I encounter it, or at least to try to — because I should have been paying closer to attention to Ben Satterley’s every word and move in pro wrestling.
With fans struggling with PAC’s death this way, we can only imagine what his friends and colleagues must be going through. Some of those have shared glimpses via their social media remembrances.
His two most high profile bosses lead this collection.
Tony Khan: Benjamin Satterley defined excellence, as a beloved husband & friend to his many loved ones, + in his wrestling knowledge, skill, unprecedented athleticism, professionalism, consistency + dedication to the sport that he loved & traveled the world to pursue. May Ben rest in peace
Paul “Triple H” Levesque: Saddened to hear about the death of Ben Satterley known in @WWE as Neville. I had the pleasure of working with Ben in the early days of @WWENXT. This moment, from NXT Arrival, marked the beginning of a new era for that brand and the men and women on it … and Ben was a major force behind that. He was an extraordinary talent and even kinder human being. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans across the world.
Whether they worked together for long or not, the fellowship between pro wrestlers from the United Kingdom and Europe is strong, and that community clearly felt the loss of the lad from Newcastle, England.
Becky Lynch: One of the best in every way possible. 💔
Sheamus: I can’t believe it. Ben was an incredible performer and an even better fella. Salt of the earth, humble, a pleasure to be around and loved by everyone in the locker room. I first saw him wrestle in 2005 and couldn’t believe what I was watching. I’d never seen anything like him. He truly defied gravity. Rest in peace, Ben. There won’t be another like you. The Bastard PAC 🙏
Wade Barrett: The world has lost an other amazing human being. I cant believe this is real. I feel privileged to have known him. Rip: Pac
Nick Aldis: What an awful loss. I ran into Ben at a restaurant near Nashville Airport a few weeks ago. I am so grateful that happened now. It was so good to see him. We were reminiscing about the first time we connected on MSN messenger(!) over 20 years ago, and what a ride it had been since then. He wished me luck for my match at Summerslam, and I told him he was still the best. We both had silly grins on our face from being genuinely surprised and happy to have bumped into each other. That will be how I remember him; just the nicest, most humble man despite being objectively the most talented in ring performer of our generation, perhaps ever. I spent last night talking to people who knew Ben and loved him. There are many. My prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones. He was the best of us. God Speed PAC.
Mark Andrews reposted AEW’s tweet, adding: Such a devastating loss. He will go down as one of the best wrestlers to ever do it, but it’s so rare to find someone as talented as him who was also so incredibly kind and humble. RIP PAC. Thank you for inspiring me for so many years ❤️
He then posted highlights of a young Ben Satterley doing spots in a Newcastle field: A lot of people probably don’t realise quite how special of a talent PAC was. This video was legendary when I was starting out. He was a teenager in a field in Newport doing this stuff. I feel so lucky to have seen his career unfold how it did. World class from the very start
Will Ospreay re-posted that, adding:
Seeing videos like this as a young kid and hearing the legend of the Backyarder from Newcastle that could do any trick and seeing him take that to 1PW, Dragon Gate & all over the world. I was chasing you from the backyard to AEW Thank you for laying down the structure for us brits to be able to walk on & dream to achieve the things you did.
William Regal, who just called PAC “the best Wrestler to come out of England since the 80’s” a couple weeks ago after praising Roman Reigns, reiterated that: The best💔🇯🇲.Rest well.x
He was an AEW original, but Satterley had been making impressions and friends since he started on the British independent scene in 2004, and certainly since he made his way to the U.S. for his first PWG show. That continued through his WWE run and into the past seven years wrestling for Tony Khan.
Kevin Owens: The best lad… We love you.
R-Truth: I love you Ben 💐🙏🏽
Bayley: had the best time annoying you. Grateful for the time and memories we all have together. We love you, Ben 🤍
Big E: I can’t believe Ben is not here anymore. My jaw was on the floor any time I had the privilege to watch him work. He moved in ways I didn’t previously think possible in the ring. But more importantly, he was a gentleman. Someone I truly respected as a man. Ben was loved by so many of the people he shared a locker room with. My heart goes out to his lovely wife and the rest of his family.
Natalya reposted Danhausen’s message:
PAC – one of the kindest, most welcoming people in a locker room. Rest in peace.
With Nattie adding: I am so sad to hear this news. Pac was always so respectful and kind to me, especially during his time at NXT when he and TJ [Wilson, Nattie’s husband and a former WWE wrestler known as Tyson Kidd, and currently a producer] were working a lot together. I’ll always remember how passionate Pac was about wrestling, but equally, how much respect he showed everyone around him. Every time TJ was in the ring with him, he wanted to make Ben proud and be his absolute best. That always stayed with me and said so much about the kind of person he was. My heart goes out to Pac’s family, his friends and everyone who loved him. This is an immeasurable loss. I’m so grateful I had the chance to know him.
Ricochet: After giving it some time, I still don’t quite know what to say. What can I say that hasn’t already been said about Ben? I start to get angry at myself for not being able to help the situation at all. Then I get sad all over again knowing my friend is gone. My heart is truly hurting. I send my condolences to his family and to our locker room. He was a class act through and through. Gravity may have forgotten him. But I know we will never forget him. I love you, Ben.
Rocky Romero: PAC was such an incredible wrestler, but an even more incredible person. I always loved catching up with him and making jokes. He was so dedicated, humble, funny… just one of the best in every way. He will be sorely missed. It’s just not fair. Ben, I love you man. Your friendship over the last 20 years means so much to me. From our days at early PWG to the BOSJ to AEW. It’s been nothing but a pleasure my friend. Rest In Power.
The Miz: Just a heartbreaking day. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of PAC. May he rest in peace.
Tommaso Ciampa: Dear Ben, My heart is with you, your loved ones, family, friends, and fans. Only time will help dull this sadness that I feel. When Butcher passed away you told me, “he was a unicorn. He was always too good for this business. It was as if he was just dropping by to grace us with his positivity, his wisdom, and his energy. Passing by on his way to do something even bigger. He was too good for this place (referring to the world).
Well, my friend, the same sentiment could be said about you. The most humble person I’ve ever met. Always kind, soft spoken, always a pro. I admire you as a man just as much as I admire you as a wrestler. I miss you. And I take some comfort in the fact that in this very moment, I can still hear the exact tone and inflection in your voice the last time we exchanged the words “I love you”. It hurts to know that as the days pass, that memory will begin to fade away, and I will not be able to replace it with another “I love you”. Rest easy, my friend. You are a unicorn.
Mustafa Ali: Long live the King. Ben protected and took care of the cruiserweight brothers every week. I will never forget his kindness. I will never forget the feeling of realizing he is the absolute best all around performer I have been in the ring with. I will never forget him standing up to the machine. I will never forget our King. Rest easy, Ben.
Nick Wayne: At All Out 2024 when PAC faced Ospreay, I told him after the match “That was very inspiring for someone like me to watch, I hope to one day be as good as you, man.” He smiled, thanked me and said “Awh Nick, you’re gonna be better than me someday.” For the next 2 years, the conversations, advice, and positive thoughts going into things is something I always cherished. To have someone that inspired me so heavily have so much belief in me, I almost couldn’t believe that it was HIM saying these thing to me. PAC is one of the greatest innovators and Professional Wrestlers to ever do it.
Alexa Bliss: I cannot believe this. RIP PAC 💔
Taz: An absolutely amazing performer and just as amazing human being. We shook hands before the show in the hallway at arena briefly last night & we smirked at each other as we both giggled…I’ll remember that forever. He was the best. Prayers & condolences to Ben’s family.
Josh Alexander: I recently had a conversation with a coworker saying to me Pac was the best of us all. He was exceptional at everything. He also had an unmatched work ethic, level of kindest and humility. When I saw him yesterday for some reason I made sure to tell him about the convo and remind him he was the very best of us. I’m so happy I did. We’ve sadly lost another amazing human. As talented as he was his character was the most impressive thing about him. Rest in peace 🐐 ♥️
Kyle Fletcher: PAC is one of my favorite wrestlers of all time. I was lucky enough to meet my hero, work with my hero, but even more lucky to get to know him. He was a better man than I ever could have hoped for. I am heartbroken. I love you, Ben. Rest easy mate.
Rhea Ripley: What a tragic day. What an extremely talented person. Speechless… RIP PAC.
Shingo Takagi (translation via X/Twitter): Eh… I can’t believe it. We just had a match in June, and I thought we’d get to fight again soon. I was just thinking that I forgot to mention PAC in yesterday’s comment… Please take your time to rest. I’ve always had deep respect for his professionalism since way back. I’m proud that we got to fight together. Until next time! Thank you joins hands in prayer
Katsuyori Shibata: The sudden news of his passing is an overwhelming shock. We went together to buy groceries in the rental car he was driving, did laundry at the laundromat, and talked endlessly about pro wrestling in the car… We used to tell each other, “Someday, let’s have a match.” It’s truly heartbreaking. Rest in peace, my friend.
Christopher Daniels: So very stunned by this. Gone far too early. I’m so fortunate to have known you, Ben. Already, I miss you terribly.
Bryce Remsburg: To many, he was a bastard. To my kids, he was Ben – who brought them Kinder Eggs from the UK, who converted them to Newcastle fans. To me, he was an incredible friend for 20 years. Watching a Black Arrow from inside the ring still takes my breath away. The best of us. 🖤
Benjamin Satterley was loved and respected by so many; there may well be another one of these. Please continue to share your memories of PAC below as we continue to mourn his death and celebrate his life together.
