Dwayne Johnson Honored Late Wrestler Benjamin Satterley
The TKO director released a tribute to Satterley, who was found unresponsive in a rental car at age 40.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Wrestling
Dwayne Johnson released a social media video paying tribute to professional wrestler Benjamin Satterley, who passed away at 40. Satterley was discovered unresponsive inside a rental car.
Why it matters
Johnson, a member of the TKO Board of Directors, extended condolences to Tony Khan, owner of the rival wrestling promotion AEW. The public acknowledgement of a competitor surprised officials within the WWE, which is owned by TKO.
Benjamin Satterley was 40 years old at the time of his death. He was discovered inside a rental car while currently signed to AEW.
The players
Dwayne Johnson
He is a prominent actor and a member of the TKO Board of Directors that oversees WWE.
Benjamin Satterley
He was a professional wrestler who was found dead at age 40.
Tony Khan
He is the owner and founder of the wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
WWE
It is a major professional wrestling organization currently owned by TKO Group Holdings.
AEW
It is a national professional wrestling promotion and a primary competitor to the WWE.
The details
Johnson publicly praised AEW as a phenomenal company, a move that reportedly caught WWE officials off guard according to reports from journalist Dave Meltzer. The tribute highlighted Satterley's contributions to the sport before his untimely passing.
Timeline
September 27, 2026: Benjamin Satterley was found unresponsive and declared dead.
The Big Picture
This public outreach marks a significant shift in the competitive dynamic established by the historical WWE and AEW wrestling promotion rivalry. It signals an unusual moment of cross-promotional respect that challenges the typical industry practice of avoiding public endorsement of competitors.
The passing of Satterley leaves a void in the active AEW roster that will require immediate creative adjustments to their ongoing storylines. Fans should expect forthcoming announcements regarding tribute shows or changes to the current tournament brackets.
The takeaway
The wrestling community continues to navigate the loss of a prominent athlete while industry figures adapt to changing public relations norms. Observers should continue to monitor how these promotions reconcile their intense market competition with expressions of mutual respect.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of the industry, see the Wrestling section.
