Dwayne Johnson mourns Benjamin Satterley's death: 'Hurts my heart'
Synopsis
Dwayne Johnson broke down on social media after British wrestler Benjamin Satterley — known as Neville and later PAC — was found unresponsive in a rental car in Illinois and pronounced dead at 40. Johnson's raw tribute lays bare how deep the bonds of professional wrestling run, even at its global scale, and how frequently the community is confronted with the loss of its own.
Key Takeaways
Dwayne Johnson posted a heartfelt tribute on social media mourning the death of British wrestler Benjamin Satterley , aged 40 .
Satterley, known in WWE as Neville and later as PAC , was found unresponsive in a rental car in Illinois on 27 September 2026 .
Paramedics pronounced Satterley dead at the scene; a Des Plaines spokesperson confirmed no signs of foul play or trauma.
The official cause of death is pending autopsy results .
Johnson extended personal condolences to both the Satterley family and AEW boss Tony Khan .
Hollywood star and former professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson has expressed deep grief over the passing of British wrestler Benjamin Satterley, widely known by his WWE ring name Neville and later as PAC, who died on 27 September 2026 at the age of 40.
Johnson's Emotional Tribute
In a video shared on social media, Johnson said: 'Man, it hurts my heart to do this. I want to descend out into the universe and to the Satterley family. My love and my condolences, my support, my light, my mana, as you are enduring the loss of your loved one, Benjamin Satterley.'
The Moana star recalled meeting Satterley on several occasions and shaking his hand, describing the loss as heartbreaking given the wrestler's age and exceptional talent. 'I believe he was 40, and I'm just so sorry to hear this news,' Johnson added.
A Tight-Knit Wrestling Community
Johnson used his tribute to reflect on the bonds that unite professional wrestlers across the globe, despite the sport's international scale. 'As global as professional wrestling is, we're still a very tight-knit unit and a tight-knit group because we all share the same DNA, and that is our love and our passion for the squared circle,' he said.
He also expressed a personal sense of recurring loss within the wrestling fraternity: 'I've lost a lot of friends, as we'd know. So, to my friend Tony Khan, I'm so sorry for your loss.'
In a written caption accompanying the video, Johnson extended his condolences to the Satterley family and acknowledged wrestling's unique subculture: 'Despite pro wrestling being globally popular, its energy is still that of a very unique subculture and breed of passionate performers who support each other because we all know the daily hardships and the nightly pressures of chasing squared circle dreams. Stay strong, Satterley family.'
Circumstances of Satterley's Death
On 27 September 2026, a passerby called 911 after discovering Satterley slumped over and unresponsive in a rental car in the parking lot of a restaurant in Illinois, United States. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
The following day, a spokesperson for Des Plaines confirmed there were no signs of foul play or trauma, and that Satterley's death did not appear suspicious. The official cause of death remains pending autopsy results.
Who Was Benjamin Satterley
Born in Britain, Satterley built a celebrated career in professional wrestling, first gaining mainstream recognition under the ring name Neville in WWE before rebranding as PAC and continuing to perform internationally. Known for his athleticism and aerial ability, he was widely regarded as one of the most gifted performers of his generation. His death at 40 has drawn an outpouring of tributes from across the global wrestling community.
As investigations continue and autopsy results are awaited, the wrestling world remains in mourning for one of its most distinctive talents.
Point of View
Often in circumstances that draw public scrutiny before facts are established. Satterley was 40, at or near the peak of a second-wind career as PAC; his death joins a grim pattern the industry has repeatedly struggled to reckon with. That Johnson felt compelled to address the life robbed element — and to directly comfort the family and Tony Khan — suggests the shock is real, not performative. The pending autopsy means the full story is yet to emerge, and media restraint before those results arrive is not optional.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Benjamin Satterley, also known as Neville and PAC?
Benjamin Satterley was a British professional wrestler who rose to fame in WWE under the ring name Neville and later performed internationally as PAC. Widely regarded for his athletic and aerial in-ring style, he was 40 years old at the time of his death on 27 September 2026.
How did Benjamin Satterley die?
A passerby found Satterley slumped over and unresponsive in a rental car in a restaurant parking lot in Illinois on 27 September 2026. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Authorities in Des Plaines confirmed there were no signs of foul play or trauma, and the official cause of death is pending autopsy results.
What did Dwayne Johnson say about Benjamin Satterley's death?
Dwayne Johnson shared a video on social media saying the loss hurts my heart, offering condolences, love, and support to the Satterley family. He reflected on wrestling's tight-knit community and expressed personal grief, stating he had met Satterley and shaken his hand on several occasions.
Was there any suspicion of foul play in Satterley's death?
No. A spokesperson for Des Plaines confirmed the following day that there were no signs of foul play or trauma, and that the death did not appear suspicious. The formal cause of death will be determined by autopsy results, which had not been released as of 30 September 2026.
Who is Tony Khan and why did Johnson address him?
Tony Khan is the owner and president of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the promotion where Benjamin Satterley was performing as PAC at the time of his death. Dwayne Johnson directly addressed Khan in his tribute, saying he was sorry for Khan's loss.
