Por Renan Filho · 2026-09-28The professional wrestling world was thrown into turmoil early this morning as unverified reports circulated claiming that AEW wrestler Pac (real name Benjamin Webb) had died. Fans, journalists, and fellow performers flooded social media with expressions of shock and grief, with hashtags like #RIPPac and #ThankYouPac trending worldwide. However, as of press time, no official confirmation has emerged from AEW, Pac’s family, or any credible news outlet. The rumor appears to have originated from a since-deleted tweet by an anonymous account, which was then amplified by wrestling fan pages and aggregated by a handful of unverified news sites. FORTIS NEWS, committed to truth over narrative, refrains from treating a rumor as a fact. We cannot and will not report the death of a living person without verified sources.
The initial panic is understandable: Pac, known for his high-flying style and intense persona, has been a staple of the wrestling scene for nearly two decades. He gained fame in WWE as “Neville,” capturing the Cruiserweight Championship, before joining All Elite Wrestling in 2019, where he became a key player and a fan favorite. His character—the “Man That Gravity Forgot”—and his in-ring excellence have earned him a devoted following. The emotional reaction to the death rumor testifies to his impact on the culture of professional wrestling. Yet, as many online users quickly pointed out, the lack of corroboration should have prompted caution. Instead, the story spread like wildfire, reminiscent of past celebrity death hoaxes involving figures like Jackie Chan, Paul McCartney, and others.
**Context and Timeline**
The false report emerged around 2:00 AM ET. A Twitter account with no prior track record claimed that Pac had passed away from a sudden cardiac event. Within an hour, several wrestling fan forums had reposted the claim. By 3:30 AM, AEW’s official social media accounts had not posted any statement, and Pac himself had not tweeted for several days. This silence was mistaken by some as confirmation. However, notable wrestling journalists—including Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer—have since stated that they have been unable to verify the claim and that sources close to the situation indicate “no cause for alarm.” As of this writing, no mainstream news organization has picked up the story. FORTIS NEWS has reached out to AEW’s PR team but has not yet received a response.
**Análise FORTIS**
This incident underscores a critical issue in modern media: the velocity of misinformation often outpaces the verification process. In a liberal-conservative framework that prioritizes individual responsibility, limited government, and free markets, we believe the solution lies not in more regulation but in empowering consumers to demand accuracy and in holding platforms accountable for their role in amplification. Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over truth, incentivizing the rapid spread of unconfirmed claims. The wrestling community, like any niche interest group, is particularly vulnerable because its members are passionate and often rely on unofficial sources for breaking news. This does not justify false reporting. As a conservative principle, honesty and integrity are foundational to a free society—a market of ideas functions only when participants are truthful.
The FORTIS editorial line rejects the notion that “narrative” should ever supersede facts. Many news outlets, in their rush to cover a story, inadvertently lend credibility to hoaxes. We have seen this with political figures and celebrities alike: a single, unverified rumor can alter public discourse and even affect markets if tied to economic figures. Here, the rumored death of a pro wrestler may not have global economic impact, but it does illustrate systemic weakness in the information ecosystem. The answer is not government censorship—which threatens liberty—but rather a return to journalistic ethics, media literacy education, and consumer choice. Follow reputable sources; do not share without verification.
**Q: Is AEW wrestler Pac really dead?** A: As of the time of this publication, there is no credible evidence that Pac has died. The rumor remains unconfirmed, and multiple legitimate journalists have disputed it. FORTIS NEWS will update this article if official confirmation emerges.
**Q: Where did the rumor start?** A: It appears to have originated from an anonymous Twitter post that has since been deleted. The account had no history of insider information and was likely a hoax.
**Q: What has AEW said?** A: AEW has not issued any official statement. Their silence has been interpreted by some as confirmation, but that is logically flawed; major announcements are typically made through official channels.
**Q: Has Pac’s family issued a statement?** A: No. Pac’s personal social media accounts remain inactive, but there has been no family statement. This is not unusual for a performer who may simply be taking time off.
**Q: How can I avoid falling for such hoaxes in the future?** A: Verify against multiple credible sources, check for official statements from the person’s employer or family, and resist the urge to share emotionally charged content immediately. FORTIS strongly recommends following journalists with proven track records rather than aggregator sites.