Chris Hero has provided a small but notable piece of background on one of wrestling’s most recognizable three-letter names: PAC.

In a social-media update, Hero addressed how fans should pronounce PAC’s name and noted that the name itself came from a childhood nickname. The clarification offers a personal origin story behind a name that has followed PAC throughout his career, from his earliest work to his appearances on major international stages.

Hero’s post did not turn into a longer retrospective on PAC’s career or explain further details behind the childhood nickname. Still, the confirmation gives fans a direct answer on the name’s roots from someone with firsthand familiarity with the wrestling scene in which PAC developed his reputation.

The note was part of a busy Wednesday across professional wrestling, with WWE releasing a new NXT highlights package, several independent promotions confirming upcoming attractions, and wrestlers sharing career, personal and celebratory updates.

For more background on this topic, read WWE x AAA Worlds Collide Spoilers: CM Punk, Rey Mysterio and El Grande Americano Win in Chicago.

Chris Hero clarifies PAC’s name background

PAC’s name has long been visually distinctive because of its all-capital presentation, leading to occasional discussion among fans over its pronunciation. Hero addressed that subject directly while also revealing that the name was not simply a constructed in-ring label. Rather, it originated as a nickname from PAC’s childhood.

That detail adds a more personal layer to the identity. Wrestling names frequently develop through a combination of character planning, promoter suggestions, marketing considerations and changes made over the course of a career. In this case, Hero’s comment indicates that PAC’s name carries a connection to a period well before the performer became known to fans around the world.

There was no additional match announcement attached to Hero’s message, and no new project involving Hero and PAC was announced in connection with the post. The focus was solely on settling the question surrounding the name and its background.

WWE revisits the latest NXT action

WWE also continued its regular digital coverage of NXT by releasing a new edition of its WWE Top 10 series dated September 29, 2026. The video package collects ten moments from recent NXT programming, giving viewers a condensed look at the developments and standout sequences that shaped the show.

The Top 10 format has become a familiar way for WWE to spotlight key angles, matches and memorable visual moments after its weekly programming. The September 29 edition continues that approach, placing the focus on NXT’s most significant recent material in a countdown presentation.

No new matches, title changes or additional NXT announcements were detailed alongside the listing. The release is primarily a highlights feature for fans looking to revisit the promotion’s latest notable moments.

Elsewhere in NXT-related discussion, Grayson Waller was the subject of an edition of In The Weeds titled “Grayson Waller Remains NXT Ace.” The discussion adds another spotlight to Waller’s standing within the NXT conversation, though no in-ring announcement was included with the item.

DEFY and ACTION Wrestling add to the independent schedule

On the independent side, Jason Hotch has been signed for the 8X Eliminator match at DEFY All Heart. The confirmation places Hotch in one of the advertised matches for the event, although further details about the remaining field and match stipulations were not included in the update.

DEFY has made the 8X Eliminator match part of the conversation around All Heart, and Hotch’s inclusion adds another confirmed name to the attraction. More information regarding the complete lineup will need to come from DEFY as the event approaches.

ACTION Wrestling, meanwhile, announced that it will present a free event on Friday, October 2. The promotion promoted the show as a no-cost event, providing an accessible option for fans interested in attending live independent wrestling. Additional card specifics were not listed in the update.

Free events can serve a variety of purposes for independent promotions, from bringing new fans into a local venue to giving regular attendees a chance to see familiar performers in a different setting. In this case, ACTION Wrestling has established the date and the free-admission element, with any further announcements still to come.

Chase Bennett retirement noted after injury

One of the more serious notes from the day involved Chase Bennett, who has retired from in-ring competition due to injury.

The update did not identify the injury or provide a detailed timeline concerning Bennett’s decision. What is clear is that Bennett’s retirement is connected to an injury issue rather than a storyline development or a temporary absence from wrestling.

Retirement announcements are always significant within the independent wrestling community, where performers often build close relationships with audiences, fellow wrestlers and promotions through years of travel and repeated appearances. Bennett’s decision marks the end of his in-ring career, while no further information was provided about whether he intends to remain involved in wrestling in another capacity.

Personal milestones and birthday wishes

There were also positive personal notes across the wrestling landscape. Billie Starkz shared that she has purchased a home, marking a major milestone away from the ring. The announcement drew attention as a significant life achievement for Starkz, separate from any scheduled match or promotional development.

Wednesday also brought birthday wishes for Swerve Strickland. No wrestling-related announcement accompanied the birthday mention, but it was among the day’s social-media acknowledgements involving prominent talent.

These updates are reminders that wrestling news does not only revolve around cards, championships and rivalries. Major personal accomplishments and celebrations remain meaningful to performers and the fans who follow their careers closely.

QT Marshall, Logan Paul and viral wrestling moments

QT Marshall added a lighthearted item to the day’s discussion by confirming that he has the same punches as The Rock. The comment was framed around the shared nature of their punches, though no match or angle connected to the remark was announced.

Logan Paul also used social media to celebrate EK Prosper’s viral moonsault. The reaction placed further attention on Prosper’s move, which had already gained traction online. The update did not provide details on where the moonsault took place or whether it was tied to a future booking.

Viral clips have become a major part of modern wrestling visibility, particularly for emerging independent names. A striking athletic moment can quickly travel beyond its original audience, and recognition from a figure such as Paul can expand the conversation around it even further.

Upcoming match notes: Blackheart, Janela, Bayne, Rush and Kasai

Shotzi Blackheart and Lio Rush are set to team against Megan Bayne and Joey Janela at Blackheart’s Drive-In show. The match brings together four personalities with distinctly different styles and gives the event a notable tag team attraction.

Blackheart joining forces with Rush creates one side of the bout, while Bayne and Janela form the opposing tandem. No date or additional event details were included alongside the match announcement, but the pairing itself stands out as a cross-section of recognizable independent wrestling talent.

Another match announcement involves Danny Demanto, who will face Jun Kasai at NHB 101 in Japan. Kasai is one of the names associated with the more extreme side of professional wrestling, making the announcement a noteworthy booking for Demanto. The update did not specify the match rules or stipulations.

Without an announced stipulation, it remains to be seen exactly what kind of encounter Demanto and Kasai will have at NHB 101. Their pairing alone, however, presents an intriguing matchup for fans following Japan’s independent wrestling scene.

Jaden Newman seeks standout independent tag teams

Jaden Newman put out a call seeking recommendations for the best tag teams on the independent circuit. The request opens the door for fans and wrestlers to highlight tandems working across the scene, from established teams to newer pairings looking to gain wider recognition.

No particular promotion, tournament or event was attached to Newman’s request. It was simply a search for the strongest current teams on the independents, a subject that often produces a wide range of answers due to the breadth of the contemporary wrestling landscape.

Additional WWE archival features

WWE’s digital output also included a director’s cut presentation of the 2024 Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. The feature gives fans another opportunity to revisit one of the company’s signature annual ladder match attractions.

In addition, WWE revisited the story of Seth Rollins versus Sting from 2015. The retrospective looks back at the program involving Rollins and Sting, continuing WWE’s practice of drawing attention to major matches and rivalries from its archive.

Between Hero’s clarification about PAC, the NXT highlight release, independent match announcements and personal milestones, the day’s updates covered an especially broad range of wrestling topics. The most personal revelation belonged to PAC’s name: a widely recognized wrestling identity with roots in a childhood nickname.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.