Vic Joseph referenced PAC on commentary during the Tuesday, September 29, episode of WWE NXT while talking about EK Prosper, who was challenging Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship.
Prosper got into the match by answering Waller’s open challenge after Mason Rook was not medically cleared to compete. NXT General Manager Robert Stone informed Waller of Rook’s absence and told him he would still be defending the title.
Much of the roster was brawling in the ring, and Zilla Fatu and Cruz Montana were singled out on the broadcast as possible challengers. Prosper came in from the opposite side and claimed the title shot.
Joseph drew a comparison between Prosper and another former NXT Champion, describing Prosper as trying to follow in that champion’s footsteps. He did not name PAC in the remark, but he described a high-flying wrestler from Newcastle and quoted a line PAC used a long time ago.
“EK Prosper trying to rise up, and EK tonight trying to follow in the footsteps of another former NXT Champion. A high flyer he looked up to from Newcastle who once stated, ‘Throw your heart out in front of you, run ahead and catch it.’”
Prosper came up short after roughly 20 minutes in his first NXT Championship match. He had addressed PAC’s death the day after it happened, in a post on X on Monday, September 28.
“Still can’t wrap my mind around this. Rest peacefully PAC.”
This week’s episode of NXT also opened with a tribute graphic for PAC. WWE had honored him at the start of Monday’s Raw.
PAC, whose real name was Benjamin Satterley, died September 27 at the age of 40, a few hours after facing Andrade El Ídolo for the AEW National Championship at All Out.