Cause of death revealed for wrestler ‘Pac,’ who died after AEW competition in Chicago area

A cause of death has been revealed for Benjamin Satterley, an English-born wrestler known for high-flying moves that delighted fans worldwide.

He died last month after competing at an All Elite Wrestling event in Hoffman Estates, a northern suburb of Chicago, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The medical examiner says 40-year-old Satterley died from bronchial asthma.

He wrestled Sept. 26 at NOW Arena before his death was reported the next dat in nearby Des Plaines. The medical examiner has not yet determined a cause of death and said it may be several weeks before autopsy results are available.

The news shocked fans who watched the English-born wrestler perform the night before, including Jayson Weidman, who attended the event.

Inside NOW Arena on Saturday, Satterley competed for All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Pac. The English wrestler, who previously performed in WWE as Adrian Neville, was known for high-flying moves that delighted fans worldwide.

“There are wrestlers that can do incredible things, and then there’s wrestlers who can do things that you question how it’s even humanly possible that they can do what they’re doing. Pac was one of those wrestlers,” Weidman said.

Satterley, who was from Newcastle upon Tyne, began his wrestling career in 2004 and signed in 2019 with All Elite Wrestling, where he held multiple championships.

He competed and lost to Andrade El Ídolo on Saturday in Chicago in the AEW National Championship.

Weidman said he purchased his seat specifically in hopes of being close to Pac and his group, the Death Riders.

“It was such a special moment for me to be able to see him wrestle,” Weidman said.

SEE ALSO:Chris Spatola, ESPN analyst and son-in-law of Duke legend Coach K, dies suddenly at 47

Satterley began his wrestling training when he was 18 after developing an interest for the sport through his aunt, who was a fan of the WWF, according to MN2S, his booking agency.

He quickly rose to prominence, earning nicknames like “The Super Superman” and “The Man That Gravity Forgot.” He began his international journey in 2007 and wrestled under the name of Adrian Neville from 2012 to 2018.

After signing with AEW, he became the inaugural AEW International Champion and a two-time AEW World Trios Champion.

According to Weidman, Pac wrestled in Saturday’s opening match and later returned during the main event.

“He looked healthy as can be, and it’s unbelievable how less than 24 hours, he could possibly be gone,” Weidman said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner said Satterley died shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday at 2761 Mannheim Road in Des Plaines.

A restaurant employee at that address said Satterley never entered the business. Outside the location, at least one fan left a vase on the sidewalk in tribute to the wrestler.

All Elite Wrestling also paid tribute to Satterley on its Facebook page, writing: “The very best of us. Truly one of a kind. We love you and we miss you, Ben. We always will.”

As fans continue to mourn Satterley’s death, Weidman said the wrestler’s legacy extends beyond his accomplishments in the ring.

“It’s going to be about how they make the fans feel and how they connect with them and how they just improve the lives of those that are around them,” Weidman said.

Tributes for Satterley have poured in.

“The greatest export from our country. Also the greatest human being,” wrote fellow wrestler Will Ospreay on X. “Honored to have shared the ring with you so many times. You truly are such a hero to myself and many others.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.