PAC, whose real name was Benjamin Satterley, died Sunday at 40, AEW confirmed. No further information about the cause of death has been released.
The news had an enormous impact, both because PAC had wrestled less than 24 hours earlier and because he was one of the greatest wrestlers of the current era.
At All Out, PAC challenged Andrade El Idolo for the AEW National Championship in a losing effort.
Several names from across pro wrestling paid tribute to PAC on social media after his death was confirmed.
Matt Hardy wrote, “Shocked & stunned about the sudden death of Pac. My thoughts & prayers go out to his family, friends and fans. RIP brother.”
Danhausen also reflected on his relationship with PAC backstage, calling him “one of the kindest, most welcoming people in a locker room.” He added, “Rest in peace.”
Will Ospreay, who shared the ring with PAC many times, posted one of the most moving tributes.
“The greatest export from our country. Also the greatest human being. Honoured to have shared the ring with you so many times. You truly are such a hero to myself and many others,” Ospreay wrote. He closed the post with “Forever our BASTARD” and “RIP Pac.”
Satterley began his career in 2004 and rose to worldwide prominence in WWE as Neville. During his time with the company, he won the NXT Championship and the NXT Tag Team Championship and was a two-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion.
PAC joined AEW in 2019 and went on to win the All-Atlantic Championship, as the title was then known, and to hold the AEW World Trios Championship twice. In recent years, he was a member of the Death Riders.
Only hours before AEW confirmed his death, Andrade praised PAC following their match at All Out and said he should still become AEW World Champion.
Andrade wrote that PAC “has to be a world champion in the future, but he needs to leave the Death Riders, just like I left Don Callis!”