AEW Wrestler Pac Died of Bronchial Asthma at Age 40

Wrestler Benjamin Satterley, widely known by his ring name Pac, died of bronchial asthma on September 27 at age 40. Found unresponsive in a rental car in Des Plaines, Illinois, the British-born star passed away just one day after competing at an All Elite Wrestling pay-per-view event.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death natural following a multi-week investigation that kept the cause pending during additional testing. First responders found Satterley inside an Enterprise rental car parked outside a CAVA restaurant on Mannheim Road in Des Plaines at around 4 p.m. local time on September 27. Police reports indicated that his phone displayed a Google Maps route toward Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, and a woman who knew the wrestler told authorities he had stopped for lunch before heading to catch a flight.

All Out Match and Final Hours in Illinois

Satterley’s sudden passing came less than 24 hours after he performed at All Elite Wrestling’s All Out event held at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. During the September 26 pay-per-view, he challenged Andrade El Ídolo for the AEW National Championship, ultimately losing the match. He also appeared later that same evening during the main event clash between Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley.

Fans in attendance recalled seeing him look healthy during the event. Des Plaines police noted that authorities did not find any injuries or suspicious markings on his body aside from saliva on the front of his shirt. Medical investigators later concluded that bronchial asthma caused his death, a chronic condition where airway inflammation restricts breathing during severe attacks. An autopsy was performed on Benjamin’s body the same day it was discovered. An October 5 document from the Des Plaines Police Department revealed that when officers reached the site where Benjamin passed away, they observed no trauma or suspicious marks, noting only what appeared to be saliva on the front portion of his shirt.

Two Decades in the Ring Across Global Promotions

Hailing from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Satterley kicked off his professional wrestling journey in 2004, subsequently performing for promotions worldwide while mesmerizing audiences through his groundbreaking high-flying maneuvers and extraordinary in-ring talents. He built his reputation in the British independent circuit and Japan before gaining global acclaim for his high-flying style, which earned him nicknames such as Superman and The Man That Gravity Forgot. Satterley came up through the British independent system before making the leap to Japan and the U.S.

He signed with WWE in 2012, performing as Adrian Neville and later Neville, where he captured the NXT Championship, two NXT Tag Team Championships, and two WWE Cruiserweight Championships across a six-year tenure. After returning to Dragon Gate and joining All Elite Wrestling as one of its earliest major signings in 2019, he became the inaugural All-Atlantic (later International) Champion and a two-time World Trios Champion. Performing under the ring name “The Bastard” within AEW, Satterley continually amazed both fans and fellow wrestlers through his exceptional ring speed, grace, precision, and physical power.

Tributes From Family, Colleagues, and Locker Room Peers

News of Satterley’s death triggered widespread mourning across the professional wrestling industry. His widow, Natalie Satterley, shared a heartfelt reflection on Instagram about the life they built together over 19 years together and 11 years of marriage. Natalie and Benjamin were together for 19 years, 11 of which they spent married.

The cruelty of having all of our future hopes and dreams snatched away will never feel real. You were so excited to get home to us, you were going to shoot hoops all week with your best mates, we were going to set up your new home gym and take [dog Wolfie] for some autumnal walks, have pizza at Rudy's on your cheat day, go to the match, see [comedian] Sam Campbell live.

Natalie Satterley, via Yahoo.

AEW dedicated an episode of Dynamite to honoring his legacy, broadcasting a statement from his family and parents thanking fans worldwide for their support. During the September 30 broadcast of Dynamite, on-air personality Renee Paquette shared a statement through which Benjamin’s relatives publicly addressed his passing for the first time. Wrestlers including Will Ospreay, Marina Shafir, and Kevin Knight also shared tributes highlighting both his innovative in-ring athleticism and his reputation as a remarkably kind and humble colleague.

More on this story: AEW Wrestler Benjamin Satterley, Known as Pac, Dies at Age 40