AEW’s emotional tribute to Pac showcased pro wrestling at its very best

Pittsburgh was the site of AEW Dynamite's emotional tribute to Pac, a somber episode following the loss of Benjamin Satterly, also known as "The Bastard" Pac. The 40-year-old wrestler passed away just hours after his debut main event at All Out in Chicago. Since AEW's inception in 2019, four wrestlers have died, and this tribute was the promotion's latest effort to honor its fallen friends.

The show kicked off with Excalibur introducing Ben, Pac's alter ego, who was described as a loving, charming, and endearing person who cherished his family, pets, and gardening. Tony Schiavone then paid tribute to Pac, standing in the ring with a photo of the wrestler and a wreath of flowers.

Jon Moxley, Pac's Death Rider stablemate, delivered a heartfelt promo about cherishing every day of life and the distinction between being remembered for what we did or who we were. Moxley's appearance was eerie and haunting, as Pac's final on-screen appearance followed his words.

The AEW locker room honored Pac with a 10-bell salute, led by chairman Tony Khan. Various matches throughout the night paid tribute to Pac's career and character. Notable moments included Moxley's match against Orange Cassidy, which featured emotional moments and callbacks to their rivalry, and Bryan Danielson's surprise appearance, sobbing alongside Moxley.

The Elite, consisting of The Young Bucks, Hangman Adam Page, and Kenny Omega, also paid tribute to Pac. Their match against The Don Callis Family showcased the company's signature style of wrestling while honoring their fallen friend. Throughout the night, the wrestling was secondary to the emotional weight carried by the performers, resulting in what many consider the greatest episode of wrestling television ever produced.