Kevin Owens shared that the aspect of PAC’s passing that troubles him the most is not knowing if PAC was aware of how much Owens admired him. Owens was part of a group of WWE wrestlers who contributed memories of Benjamin Satterley, known in WWE as Neville, to a nearly 40-minute tribute video released by WWE this week.
The tribute, available on YouTube, also includes reflections from Becky Lynch, Cody Rhodes, Bayley, Sami Zayn, Big Cass, Penta and Rey Fenix, TJ Wilson, William Regal, Finn Balor, and Corey Graves. Satterley passed away on September 27 at the age of 40, just a day after competing at AEW All Out near Chicago.
Kevin Owens recalled first meeting Satterley in 2006 when he was brought to England to face him in the ring. Owens remembered Satterley being quite nervous and somewhat awkward before their match. Afterward, Owens praised him as the best wrestler he had ever seen or worked with, and from that point on, Satterley became Owens’ favorite wrestler. Owens highlighted Satterley’s exceptional versatility, noting his ability to excel in flying maneuvers, brawling, and technical wrestling, unmatched by anyone else. Despite this, Owens emphasized that Satterley never boasted about his talents, as humility defined him.
Owens spoke about the close bond they shared when traveling together frequently early in Owens’ main roster career, cherishing those memories despite how difficult it was to be away from loved ones. He expressed a lingering regret about not knowing if Satterley ever realized how deeply he was admired and loved, urging others to make sure they tell their loved ones how important they are while they can. Owens also paid tribute to “The Butcher” Andy Williams, a close friend of Satterley who passed away weeks earlier. He imagined Satterley and Williams now making the afterlife a better place.
Cody Rhodes revealed in another interview that the idea for the tribute camera at SmackDown was Owens’ initiative, initially unsure if the footage would be shared publicly or reserved for Satterley’s family.
Rhodes commented that although he wasn’t very close to Satterley, the wrestler kept appearing at key moments in Rhodes’ career, particularly during their storyline leading up to SummerSlam 2015 at the Barclays Center, where Rhodes performed as Stardust. Rhodes remembered that high point as a career-defining moment. He also praised Satterley’s humility and kindness in an industry often driven by ego and selfishness, noting that despite being supremely talented, Satterley never let it define him. Rhodes stressed that Satterley’s legacy would inspire future wrestlers not just for his in-ring skills but for his integrity and character outside the ring.
Bayley recounted how Satterley initially intimidated her during their time in NXT, but she and Carmella persistently tried to break through his cool demeanor. Bayley said the turning point came when Satterley brought his wife, Natalie, to an outing in Orlando, and seeing her enjoy their teasing helped Satterley open up to them. Bayley described him as a consummate professional who was mature and confident, yet underneath it all, he was a playful and fun person. She expressed her sorrow for his family, friends, and wife Natalie, sending love and condolences.
AEW honored Satterley with a tribute episode of Dynamite in Pittsburgh on September 30, attracting 899,000 viewers on TBS, marking the highest cable viewership for the show since October 2023.
Fan Take:
This heartfelt remembrance shows just how deeply Benjamin Satterley (PAC) touched the wrestling community both in and out of the ring. For fight fans, it’s a poignant reminder of the importance of respect and humility in a hyper-competitive sport, and his legacy will inspire both current and future wrestlers to prioritize character alongside skill.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
