Will Ospreay Shares Emotional Tribute To PAC On AEW Dynamite

Will Ospreay Shares Emotional Tribute to PAC on AEW Dynamite. Will Ospreay delivered a deeply personal tribute to PAC during the September 30, 2026, episode of AEW Dynamite, reflecting on how Ben inspired him long before they ever shared an AEW ring. Ospreay explained that watching PAC’s career gave him hope as a young wrestler and eventually made PAC the first wrestler he chased throughout his own career. Ospreay also paid tribute to PAC by bringing back the Black Arrow, a moment he later described as an emotional experience for everyone watching.

Will Ospreay Reveals How PAC Inspired His Wrestling Dream

Ospreay began by going back to his childhood, when wrestling was something he practiced with friends at home. He explained that they would perform wrestling moves on each other, film them, and upload the footage to YouTube.

One of the people Ospreay met during those early years was Stephen Farrell, who had wrestled professionally with PAC. As Ospreay performed different moves, Farrell noticed similarities between his style and the Newcastle wrestler who was making a name for himself internationally.

“As I would do some of the tricks and the moves, he would actually say that it reminded him of PAC, this Newcastle wrestler that was doing the same tricks that I was,” Ospreay recalled.

Ospreay eventually discovered that this was the same PAC who was wrestling in 1PW alongside names such as AJ Styles and had also made an impact in Dragon Gate. Watching PAC’s matches became hugely important to him as a young teenager.

“I cannot tell you how much watching those matches gave me hope as a very young teenager, thinking that I could walk the same road,” Ospreay said.

“I needed it.”

PAC Became the First Wrestler Ospreay Chased

Seeing PAC successfully establish himself across different wrestling promotions had a major influence on Ospreay’s ambitions. He explained that PAC’s career showed him what could be possible for someone who wanted to build a life in professional wrestling.

“So to see that PAC made it over, and his legacy spread out to so many different promotions, and his talent influenced so many people, the only thing I wanted to do was wrestle PAC,” Ospreay said.

“My whole career was chasing him. He was the first person that I chased.”

That dream eventually became reality when Ospreay finally shared the ring with PAC in 2019. But according to Ospreay, meeting Ben also revealed a completely different side of the person behind the character.

“I got to meet PAC in the ring in 2019. The person behind the character was such a wonderful human being,” Ospreay said.

“For someone that played such a horrible bastard, he was the loveliest person.”

Ospreay’s comments reflected the contrast between PAC’s intimidating wrestling persona and the person his friends and colleagues knew away from the ring.

Ospreay Pays Tribute to Ben’s Impact Outside the Ring

Ospreay became increasingly emotional while discussing what he will miss about Ben. Beyond PAC’s accomplishments as a wrestler, Ospreay remembered the conversations they shared and the opportunities he had to learn from him.

“I’m really going to miss seeing your beautiful face,” Ospreay said.

“I’m really going to miss seeing your such a jocular mini hats.”

Ospreay then focused on what he considered one of Ben’s greatest gifts: the happiness he brought to other people.

“And most importantly, I’m going to miss spending so long talking to you, learning from you, and seeing what he was able to give to so many people, which is happiness,” Ospreay said.

He ended his tribute with a direct message to Ben.

“So I really hope that you watch this, matey. I’m going to miss you. I love you, and thank you for everything that you have done for me and so many other people.”

Will Ospreay Brings Back the Black Arrow for PAC

Ospreay’s tribute was not limited to his words. During the show, he also brought back PAC’s iconic Black Arrow, a move he had not performed for approximately eight years.

After the performance, Ospreay explained on X that he had arrived at the arena early and spent hours practicing in the ring before the doors opened. He revealed that something told him he could make the jump that night.

“I threw my heart out in front of me and Ben caught it,” Ospreay wrote, ending the post with, “Thank you Pac 💚.”

Ospreay also reflected on the reaction to the move, saying that he loved seeing videos from people reacting to the Black Arrow and felt honored that he could give PAC’s fans one final look at the move.

“I hope that was the emotional release everybody needed and I’m so grateful I could’ve given that to you,” Ospreay wrote.

He acknowledged that he could never perform it as well as Ben did, but explained why performing it still felt special.

“No where near as good as Bens but that’s what made him so special. One of one.”

Original X post:
https://x.com/WillOspreay/status/2105496341380260149

Ospreay’s Tribute Captures PAC’s Lasting Legacy

Ospreay’s story demonstrated how PAC’s influence extended far beyond the matches he wrestled. For a young wrestler watching from afar, PAC represented proof that the path Ospreay dreamed about could actually become a reality.

Years later, Ospreay was able to stand in the same ring with the wrestler who inspired him and pay tribute to him by performing one of PAC’s most iconic moves.

From their first meeting in 2019 to Ospreay’s emotional farewell on Dynamite, the connection between the two wrestlers was built around admiration, inspiration, and a shared love of professional wrestling.

“I love you, and thank you for everything that you have done for me and so many other people.”