Published: 2 hours ago by Jamie Toolan | Last Updated: 1 hour ago by Jamie Toolan
Jamie has been covering the world of wrestling for four years and currently holds the position of Assistant Editor of WrestleTalk.com. During his time working for WrestleTalk.com he has written and published over 4,000 news and feature articles covering events and happenings from WWE, AEW, TNA and a variety of international and independent wrestling promotions.
AEW
Andy Williams, also known as The Butcher in AEW, has passed away at the age of 48.
According to TMZ, authorities revealed that Williams passed away after suffering a medical emergency during a tag team match for Enjoy Wrestling on Saturday, September 5 in Pennsylvania.
TMZ writes:
“The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office tells TMZ … Williams passed away following his health crisis at Mr. Small’s Theater in Millvale, PA. The Butcher and his partner, The Blade, were battling TME during the Enjoy Wrestling event, leading to its prompt cancellation.”
Enjoy Wrestling had issued a statement on social media on Saturday night, confirming that Williams had collapsed during their show and received CPR on the scene until being taken to hospital.
Following news of Williams’ passing, Enjoy Wrestling posted a tribute on Twitter, writing:
“Butcher Forever.”
After beginning his in-ring career in 2015, Williams arrived in All Elite Wrestling during the company’s first year alongside tag team partner Jesse Guilmette, with the pair known as The Butcher and the Blade.
Managed by Allie (aka The Bunny), The Butcher and the Blade made an immediate impact with their first appearance on the November 27, 2019 episode of AEW Dynamite with a post match attack on Cody Rhodes.
The Butcher and the Blade were a fixture of AEW for the following five years and worked opposite some of the company’s top tag teams such as The Lucha Bros, Young Bucks and Blackpool Combat Club to name a few.
Williams wrestled his last match for AEW in February 2025, when he lost to Gabe Kidd on AEW Collision.
It was later revealed that The Butcher and the Blade had departed AEW at the end of their contracts in June 2026, however, both their profiles have remained listed on the company’s active roster page since then.
The Butcher and the Blade continued to wrestle together on the independent circuit following their AEW exit, and challenged AEW stars Alec Price & Jordan Oliver for the GCW Tag Team Championships back in June during the promotion’s America’s Most Wanted event.
Along with his pro wrestling career, Williams was formerly rhythm guitarist for metal band Every Time I Die between 1998 and 2022.
We express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Andy Williams at this time.
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