AEW Wrestler Pac Died of Bronchial Asthma, Autopsy Confirms

Bronchial asthma killed Benjamin Satterley, the 40-year-old professional wrestler known globally as Pac in All Elite Wrestling, according to findings released by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Illinois authority classified the death as natural.

Satterley was discovered unresponsive and slumped over inside a parked vehicle at a Cava restaurant lot in Des Plaines, Illinois, on Sunday, Sept. 27. The suburb sits directly adjacent to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Data recovered from his phone indicated he was en route to catch a flight when the fatal asthma attack occurred. First responders initiated life-saving measures at the scene but were unable to revive him. Investigators reported no signs of trauma or foul play, noting only saliva on the front of his shirt — a detail consistent with acute respiratory distress.

The medical emergency struck less than 24 hours after Satterley competed against Andrade El Idolo for the AEW National Championship at the All Out pay-per-view event. That match took place Saturday, Sept. 26, at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, roughly 22 miles northwest of where his body was found.

Severe bronchial asthma carries distinct risks for elite athletes, particularly those in combat sports. High-intensity exertion can trigger exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, while frequent international air travel exposes competitors to recycled cabin air, fluctuating humidity, and allergens that compound underlying respiratory vulnerabilities. Professional wrestling schedules routinely demand cross-country flights immediately following physically grueling matches, leaving little recovery time and increasing exposure to environmental triggers.

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Satterley built an international reputation long before entering the American mainstream. He spent years working under his real name and various aliases across independent promotions in the United Kingdom, Japan, and Mexico, including high-profile runs in Dragon Gate and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. His signature high-flying style made him one of the most sought-after performers on the global circuit.

WWE signed Satterley in 2012, repackaging him as Neville. He became the centerpiece of the company’s Cruiserweight division, capturing the WWE Cruiserweight Championship multiple times and headlining the dedicated 205 Live brand. Creative disagreements led to his departure in 2017, making him one of the rare modern talents to successfully negotiate an exit from the industry’s largest promoter.

He joined All Elite Wrestling shortly after its January 2019 launch, anchoring the promotion’s in-ring product for the remainder of his career. Satterley captured multiple AEW championships and served as a central figure in two of the company’s most prominent factions: the Death Triangle, alongside Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Miedo, and later the Death Riders, led by Jon Moxley. His ability to bridge lucha libre techniques with strong-style striking made him a versatile mainstay on AEW programming.

All Elite Wrestling dedicated its Sept. 30 broadcast entirely to honoring Satterley’s legacy, featuring tributes from roster members who had shared the ring with him across three continents.