During his successful and influential wrestling career, Benjamin (PAC) Satterley spend a lot of time in Japan. Starting in 2007, he began working for Dragon Gate and some of its affiliates.
He spent five years in the promotion and even returned there after he left WWE.
He not only one various championships there but shifted his allegiances to different factions there. He replaced Matt Sydal in the Typhoon stable and won the wXw World Lightweight Championship. When Typhoon disbanded he joined World-1 and won the Open the Triangle Gate Championship and then linked up with Dragon Gate USA. where he and Masato Yoshino became the first United Gate Champions.
Pac left that faction to form the Junction Three alliance. He had a 447-day reign as the Open the Brave Gate Champion and held the Open the Twin Gate Championship with Dragon Kid. When Junction Three disbanded he formed World-1 International, winning the Open the Triangle Gate Championship again.
Honouring his impact on the promotion and its talent, Dragon Gate posted this tribute today:
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of PAC and offer our heartfelt condolences. Many wrestlers have looked up to you and used you as a role model, inspired by the many memorable matches and countless spectacular moves you left behind. The wonderful performances you showcased in the DRAGONGATE ring will be remembered forever. You will always be a part of the DRAGONGATE family. We extend our deepest sympathies to your family during this time of grief, and on behalf of all the wrestlers and staff, we pay our respects in memory of your achievements during your lifetime,” they wrote.
Pac also wrestled very briefly for NJPW as part of their Best of the Super Jr. 19.
NJPW wrote this today in light of his passing:
“New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Benjamin Satterley, better known to wrestling fans worldwide as PAC, on September 27. He was 40. A proud native of Newcastle Upon Tyne, PAC made his professional debut in 2004, and quickly garnered acclaim with his hard hitting and innovative aerial style, earning the nickname ‘the man that gravity forgot’. With his star on the rise, PAC headed to Japan for the first time with DRAGONGATE in 2007, and wrestled in New Japan for the first time in 2012 as part of Best of the Super Jr. 19, reaching the semifinals.
Later in 2012, PAC would join WWE for a successful five year stretch, after which he would return to international competition, and then sign with AEW in 2019. At the first Forbidden Door event in 2022, PAC would become the inaugural AEW All Atlantic Champion, and at Forbidden Door 2026 in June, challenged Shota Umino for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.
The thoughts and deepest sympathies of all at New Japan Pro-Wrestling go to Satterly’s family, friends and fans.”
Benjamin “PAC” Satterley died yesterday. He was just 40 years old. The cause of death is unknown at press time.
