Andy “The Butcher” Williams Dies at 48 After Medical Emergency During Wrestling Match

The professional-wrestling and heavy-music communities are mourning the death of Andy Williams, best known to wrestling fans as The Butcher.

Williams died Saturday night at the age of 48 after experiencing a medical emergency during an independent wrestling event in Millvale, Pennsylvania.

TMZ reported that the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Williams’ death. A cause of death has not been publicly announced.

Williams Collapsed During an Enjoy Wrestling Match

Williams was competing at Enjoy Wrestling’s fifth-anniversary event inside Mr. Smalls Theatre on Saturday, September 5.

He was teaming with his longtime partner, Jesse “The Blade” Guilmette, against TME when he collapsed near the conclusion of the match.

Enjoy Wrestling said its doctors immediately began treating Williams and administered CPR until an ambulance arrived. The remainder of the event was canceled, and attendees were sent home.

The promotion later memorialized Williams with a simple message:

“Butcher Forever.”

Any additional claims about what caused the medical emergency should be treated cautiously. Authorities have not announced an official cause of death.

AEW Pays Tribute to The Butcher

Williams became internationally recognized through his time with All Elite Wrestling.

AEW released a statement describing Williams as a trailblazing musician who successfully transitioned into professional wrestling. The company said he was “incredibly respected by his peers both in and out of the ring.”

AEW also extended condolences to Williams’ family, friends and fans.

Williams and The Blade joined AEW during the promotion’s first year. They debuted on the November 27, 2019, episode of Dynamite by attacking Cody Rhodes alongside their manager, The Bunny.

The trio immediately stood apart from the rest of the roster.

The Butcher’s handlebar mustache, monocle, imposing size and vintage presentation made him instantly recognizable. The Blade’s masked appearance and The Bunny’s unsettling presence completed an act that felt dangerous before the bell even rang.

The Butcher and The Blade

Williams and Guilmette began teaming before AEW and built their chemistry throughout the independent circuit.

In AEW, The Butcher and The Blade became reliable opponents for several of the company’s biggest teams. They were associated at different times with The Bunny, Eddie Kingston, MJF, the Hardy Family Office and Kip Sabian.

One of their most memorable matches came against The Young Bucks in a Falls Count Anywhere contest in July 2020.

Williams also competed in singles matches and battle royals during his AEW tenure. When The Blade was sidelined following serious back surgery, Williams continued wrestling individually against opponents such as Swerve Strickland, Claudio Castagnoli and Dustin Rhodes.

His final AEW match took place against Gabe Kidd on the February 22, 2025, episode of Collision.

Williams and The Blade’s contracts reportedly expired in June 2026. The team subsequently returned to the independent circuit and had recently started competing together regularly again.

Just last month, Williams faced Josh Barnett, one of the people who helped guide his development as a professional wrestler.

From the Stage to the Wrestling Ring

Professional wrestling was only one half of Williams’ remarkable career.

Williams was a founding member and rhythm guitarist of the influential Buffalo metalcore band Every Time I Die. The group formed in 1998 and released nine studio albums before breaking up in 2022.

Williams spent more than two decades touring with the band and building a respected career in heavy music before becoming nationally known as a wrestler.

Although he had long dreamed of entering the ring, Williams’ original training was interrupted by a knee injury. He continued pursuing music but never abandoned his interest in wrestling.

He eventually returned to training and began competing professionally in 2016. The following year, he started teaming regularly with The Blade.

Williams’ transition was unusual because he did not treat professional wrestling like a celebrity side project. He trained, worked independent events and committed himself to learning the industry while continuing to perform internationally as a musician.

By the time The Butcher appeared on AEW television, Williams had already worked to earn the respect of wrestlers and fans.

A Unique Presence in Two Worlds

Few performers successfully build respected careers in both professional wrestling and music.

Williams did.

Every Time I Die fans knew him as the powerful guitarist holding down one side of the stage. Wrestling fans knew him as the intimidating heavyweight who looked as though he had stepped out of another era.

Behind that threatening presentation, tributes from fellow wrestlers consistently described Williams as kind, funny and deeply respected.

His death has generated condolences from across wrestling, including former colleagues, opponents, referees and performers from several promotions.

Williams’ legacy will live through Every Time I Die’s music, his matches alongside The Blade and the performers who shared locker rooms and stages with him.

Grapple News extends its condolences to Andy Williams’ family, friends, bandmates, The Blade, the Enjoy Wrestling community and everyone affected by his passing.

Rest in peace, Andy Williams. Butcher Forever.