The professional wrestling industry is grappling with a heavy wave of grief following the deaths of three figures closely tied to the sport’s culture and history. Benjamin Satterley, the world-renowned performer known to fans as Pac and Adrian Neville; Rick Achberger, the ubiquitous WWE superfan known as “Rick the Sign Guy”; and Dennis Haskins, the “Saved by the Bell” actor who became a recurring presence in wrestling storylines, all passed away within a few weeks of one another.
The cluster of losses has prompted emotional reflections from colleagues and friends, most notably from WWE star Drew McIntyre. During a recent appearance at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, McIntyre shared a deeply personal tribute to the departed, offering what he described as a “sobering reminder” to the industry and its fans to appreciate those close to them while they are still here.
McIntyre’s most poignant reflections centered on Satterley, a man he had known since the earliest days of their respective careers. Satterley, who died at the age of 40, was a cornerstone of the British wrestling scene before achieving international fame in both WWE and All Elite Wrestling. McIntyre recalled meeting him at 3CW, a local promotion in Carlisle, England, when Satterley was just starting out as a “backyard” wrestler.
“I remember him as the best of us,” McIntyre said, noting that Satterley’s relentless positivity stood out in an industry that can often trend toward the cynical. Even as a teenager, McIntyre said he was awestruck by Satterley’s precision and accuracy in the ring. The two traveled extensively together through Ireland and London, often encouraging each other with the belief that they would be the ones to finally break out of the United Kingdom scene and make it onto the global stage. McIntyre noted that while Satterley’s professional body of work is undeniable, his legacy is defined more by the character of the man behind the persona.
The loss of Rick Achberger, known to millions of viewers as “Rick the Sign Guy,” hit McIntyre with equal weight for different reasons. Achberger was a fixture in the front rows of WWE events for decades, eventually being treated as a member of the internal WWE family. McIntyre credited Achberger with helping him survive the immense pressure of his early career in the United States.
When McIntyre arrived in America at the age of 22, he was immediately thrust onto television and into live events alongside icons such as Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and The Undertaker. He admitted to being “terrified” and struggling to connect with audiences who initially did not care about his character. It was Achberger who would often bridge that gap, manipulating the crowd to cheer or boo to help the young wrestler find his footing. McIntyre recalled with fondness how, even after he became an established star, Achberger would continue to playfully abuse him from the front row, a ritual McIntyre said he “loved every second of.”
Rounding out the week of mourning was the death of Dennis Haskins, famous for his role as Mr. Belding. Haskins was a frequent guest at wrestling events and participated in various WWE storylines over the years, forming a bond with the roster that transcended his Hollywood roots. McIntyre, who frequently referred to him as “Mr. B,” shared memories of their lighthearted interactions, including candid moments behind the scenes that illustrated Haskins’ genuine love for the business.
Currently appearing in the micro-drama series “Agent of Shadows,” McIntyre emphasized that the suddenness of these deaths—particularly Satterley’s passing at 40—served as a stark call to action for everyone in the industry. “It’s been a hard week in our industry,” McIntyre said. “Just remember to tell the ones you love, you love them.”
