The Life Of Andy ‘The Butcher’ Williams: From Every Time I Die To AEW

AEW

AEW Collision on September 12 set to be dedicated to the memory of The Butcher (Andy Williams) who tragically passed away last week.

With a career that extended far beyond professional wrestling, the legacy of the beloved AEW tag team The Butcher and The Blade, Andy Williams is being remembered for contributions beyond the squared circle.

Before He Was “The Butcher”

The life of Andy “The Butcher” Williams spanned from metalcore success to professional wrestling, touching hearts along the way.

Williams was born in Buffalo, New York, on December 12, 1977, and had set his sights on professional wrestling. However, after an injury during his wrestling training sent his career into a different direction.

Learning guitar after picking up the wrestling injury, Williams was set on a new path that would eventually make him a prominent figure in the metalcore scene.

Williams co-founded the Buffalo, New York based metalcore band Every Time I Die.

He remained the group’s rhythm guitarist, contributing to all nine of the band’s studio albums before Every Time I Die disbanded in 2022.

Williams never abandoned music, going on to form the band Atomic Rule and continued writing and recording music.

The Butcher & The Blade

However, returning to his original passion it would be professional wrestling that brought Andy Williams into the hearts and minds of many current fans.

Marking his first full match in 2015,Williams trained under Josh Barnett and went on to join forces with The Blade (Jesse Guilmette) and the duo would make their AEW debut in 2019.

Going on to make an indelible impact on the AEW Tag Team division during their time in the company, The Butcher & The Blade would remain active in the company before departing in 2026.

Going on to make independent wrestling appearances as well as working to train the next generation of professional wrestlers, Williams remained active.

After suffering a medical emergency after a match on September 5, Andy “The Butcher” Williams tragically passed away at age 48.

Leaving behind an indelible legacy in both professional wrestling as well as music, Williams is set to be remembered on this week’s edition of AEW Collision.

Special Edition of AEW Collision

Set to air on September 12, there is set to be a tribute to Andy “The Butcher” Williams on this Satuday’s episode of Dynamite.

After passing away over the preceding weekend, Williams was still remembered in the opening of the latest edition of AEW Dynamite with an “In Memoriam” graphic with more comments later in the show.

Leading the tribute, Excalibur on commentary shared:

“We are worse off without Andy, but we are significantly better off for having had him at all. Though it may haunt us and break our hearts, death cannot tear us apart. We’ll miss you.”

AEW Collision airing on September 12, 2026 will be a tribute episode to the life and career of Andy “The Williams” Butcher.

Everyone at WrestleTalk continues to extend condolences to the family and friends of Andy Williams during this difficult time.

• Andy Williams
• AEW
• The Butcher

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