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PAC's bout against Andrade at AEW All Out in September stood out as a highlight of the event. Just about a day later, he was no longer with us.
Benjamin Satterley, known to fans as PAC and Neville, was discovered deceased in his vehicle outside a Chicago restaurant before he was due to depart the city after the pay-per-view. His passing sent shockwaves through the professional wrestling community, prompting AEW to devote an entire episode of AEW Dynamite that week to honoring his memory.
This weekend's WrestleDream event in Orlando—a city where Satterley had deep ties from his WWE NXT days—marks the company's first major show since his death. For seasoned performers like Samoa Joe, who headlines the evening in the debut Clockwork Carnage match, the loss remains painfully recent.
"Ben was someone who rose alongside many of us, and we watched him achieve a meteoric international ascent, likely from one of the most unlikely places at a time when exposure was scarce. But he was just that talented," Joe remarked.
Joe shared with The Takedown on SI that Satterley was cherished throughout the AEW locker room, and his absence has created a significant void within the organization.
"He was that exceptional, from his work in Japan to his time back in the States—everyone recognized he was something extraordinary," Joe said. "And then you have the privilege of getting to know a person like him, becoming his friend, and grasping what a wonderful human being he truly was."
"For us, it's simply a massive empty space. We deeply miss his presence. We miss having a reason to see him weekly, as we often put it. It's hard to return to work and not find him there."
Key Analysis
AEW carries PAC's legacy into WrestleDream. As mentioned, Joe will compete in the first-ever Clockwork Carnage match, facing seven other competitors for a chance to claim the AEW World Championship for the third time in his career.
Although AEW frequently earns acclaim for its pay-per-view presentations, Joe pointed out that he and the roster will enter Orlando on Saturday with heavy hearts, while also cherishing the chance to perform for a living.
"I think it just makes us more grateful for the opportunity to do this," he said. "That's really what it comes down to. When you start any endeavor with that kind of gratitude in your heart, you tend to perform well. So that's how it plays out."
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Jon Alba is an Emmy Award and SPJ Award-winning journalist who has broken some of pro wrestling's biggest stories. In addition to writing for The Takedown on SI, he is the host of "The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy" podcast, and a host and contributor for Sportsnet New York. Additionally, he has been on beats for teams across MLB, the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS during more than a decade in the sports media sphere. Jon is a graduate of Quinnipiac University with a B.A. degree in Journalism. Follow JonAlba.