AEW President Tony Khan delivered a poignant address and led a ten-bell salute in honor of PAC (real name Benjamin Satterley) prior to Monday night’s Ring of Honor television tapings in Jacksonville, Florida.
Satterley tragically passed away on Sunday at the age of 40. Following the ten-bell salute, Khan announced that this Wednesday night’s edition of AEW Dynamite in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will serve as a dedicated tribute broadcast to honor the late star’s life and legacy.
A Ten-Bell Salute In Jacksonville
Addressing the crowd in attendance before the tapings got underway, Khan emphasized that honoring Satterley’s memory transcended the sport of professional wrestling:
“I’m also here to talk to you about something more important than wrestling. As somebody who epitomized the very best of wrestling and the very best of humanity, one of the best people I’ve ever known. And, sadly, the world lost PAC. In AEW, he wrestled as Neville for WWE, and he wrestled all over the world.
“Ben was an absolutely fantastic wrestler, an absolutely fantastic human being. A great person to work with, and a great person to spend time with.
“Before we begin the wrestling today and for these tapings, I would like to have a 10-bell salute for PAC. Please, if we can have a moment of silence and a 10-bell salute. Thank you.”
A Pillar Of AEW From Day One
Reflecting on Satterley’s fundamental role in the establishment of AEW, Khan recalled their early interactions dating back to the promotion’s official launch in Jacksonville in January 2019:
“We started AEW right out back here, in the parking lot over here, and we announced the launch of the company January 8th of 2019, in person out here, in this very parking lot, here in Jacksonville. Some of you were probably even there that day. And I first met PAC before that.
“From the very beginning, when we talked about launching AEW, he was somebody that I knew would be a big part of the company, and somebody that outside of wrestling also became a big part of my life. Just like for the wrestlers in the back and so many people around wrestling, PAC… Ben has been a huge part of their lives.”
AEW Dynamite Tribute Show Set For Pittsburgh
Khan officially announced that the upcoming September episode of AEW Dynamite in Pittsburgh will be dedicated to Satterley. He noted the deep symmetry of returning to the city where PAC competed against Jon Moxley in the main event of AEW’s inaugural Pittsburgh show:
“And you’re going to hear a lot about that in the week to come. I wanted to announce here to all of you, ahead of these Ring of Honor tapings—I’m very glad you’re all here. For the wrestling today, as you’ve been to a lot of these tapings, as you know, there will be plenty of wrestling today.
“But it’s important for us to take a moment and talk about somebody that has accomplished so much in life as a wrestler, as a friend, somebody who I think could have been successful in any walk of life that they set their mind to, and he set his mind to being one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. And I believe he succeeded in that.
“I wanted to announce to all of you Wednesday night Dynamite this week will be a tribute show to PAC. And, very fittingly, the very first Dynamite, as I recall, in Pittsburgh—’cause Dynamite will be in Pittsburgh this Wednesday—and PAC was in the main event of the very first Dynamite in Pittsburgh, as I recall, against Jon Moxley. A man whose career Ben will be linked to for a long time.”
Remembering Ben Satterley
Acknowledging the shock surrounding Satterley’s sudden passing, Khan expressed deep gratitude to the fans while reflecting on their personal friendship away from the ring:
“And it’s fitting to go back to Pittsburgh and do it this Wednesday. It’s crazy to think. I mean, this is all… it hit us very suddenly. You’re going to see a lot of wrestling for the fans here in person, also addressing fans worldwide right now.
“But I just wanted to come here and tell you I really appreciate everybody who came here live to be here tonight, but also all the fans that have supported AEW and supported PAC and Ben through his career. You’ll hear a lot about what a wonderful person Ben was this week, because, frankly, I’ve never met a person who was more beloved by his peers and his friends.
“And it was such a pleasure to spend time with Ben outside of wrestling as well, whether it was just having dinner or watching a football match or traveling.”
Khan concluded by expressing condolences to Satterley’s family and noting that talent participating in the ROH tapings and Dynamite are doing so out of reverence for their late colleague:
“Ben is a very first-class person, and he left behind a lovely wife and a lot of great friends and a legacy that will last forever. I appreciate you all being here. Thank you very much.
“And just know that all the wrestlers wrestling here on Ring of Honor tonight and everybody wrestling this Wednesday is doing so voluntarily, and I believe out of love for Ben. Thank you very much.”
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) September 28, 2026
For continued coverage, tributes, and broadcast updates regarding the upcoming tribute show, visit WrestlingAttitude.com.
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