The wrestling world is in mourning after the sudden passing of Benjamin Satterley, the high-flying competitor known to fans as Neville in WWE and Pac in AEW. He was just 40 years old.
Satterley died on Sunday in Des Plaines, Illinois, just one day after competing for the AEW National Championship. His death has sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting an outpouring of grief from fellow wrestlers and fans alike.
All Elite Wrestling released a statement confirming the tragic news, praising Satterley's incredible career and impact on the sport. The company highlighted his innovative in-ring style and his contributions to AEW since signing in 2019, where he captured multiple championships and delivered some of the most memorable matches in the promotion's history. The statement extended condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
Among those paying tribute is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who took to social media on Tuesday to share his heartfelt condolences. In an emotional video, The Rock spoke of the tight-knit nature of the wrestling community, regardless of which promotion performers call home. He described the pain of losing a fellow wrestler, especially one so young and immensely talented.
"It hurts my heart to do this," Johnson said. "I wanted to send out into the universe and to the Satterly family my love and my condolences, my support, my light, my mana, as you are enduring the loss of your loved one, Benjamin Satterley. As global as professional wrestling is, as global as WWE is, as much as AEW is growing into this phenomenal wrestling company, and wherever you're wrestling at around the world… we're still a very tight knit unit and a tight knit group because we all share the same DNA. But when we lose one of our own, it hurts. And when they're young and so insanely talented, it really [expletive] hurts."
The circumstances surrounding Satterley's death are still under investigation. According to reports, authorities responded to a call about an unresponsive individual in a vehicle in a CAVA parking lot. Emergency dispatchers described the situation as a "slumper," with no confirmed breathing at the time. The Des Plaines Police Department has stated that there are no signs of foul play.
Satterley's journey in professional wrestling began in 2004 in his native Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He quickly gained a reputation for his breathtaking aerial maneuvers and incredible athleticism, which led him to compete for organizations worldwide before joining WWE, where he became a fan favorite as Neville. His later tenure in AEW as Pac solidified his legacy as one of the most exciting performers of his generation.
The wrestling community has been flooded with tributes, with many sharing memories of Satterley's kindness and dedication. His sudden death is a stark reminder of the fragility of life, and the profound impact one person can have on so many. Our thoughts remain with his family, friends, and all who were touched by his work. For more on this tragic story, see the wrestling world's reaction to Pac's death and details of Neville's final hours.
