Former AEW wrestler Andy Williams, known to fans as “The Butcher,” has died at the age of 48. The musician and professional wrestler collapsed during a tag team match in Millvale, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, and later passed away.
Williams was competing with his longtime tag team partner, Jesse “The Blade” Guilmette, against TME at an Enjoy Wrestling event at Mr. Small’s Theater. According to an announcement from the wrestling promotion, Williams collapsed near the end of the match. Medical staff on-site immediately administered CPR until an ambulance arrived to take him to the hospital. The remainder of the event was promptly canceled. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Williams died on Saturday night. His official cause of death has not been disclosed.
Williams was a longtime member of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) before his contract expired earlier in 2026. He was known for his powerful in-ring persona and for being one half of the tag team “The Butcher and The Blade”.
Beyond wrestling, Williams was also a celebrated musician. He was a founding member and rhythm guitarist for the influential metalcore band Every Time I Die, which he helped form in 1998. The group disbanded in 2022. More recently, Williams was involved with the project Atomic Rule.
Tributes have poured in from the wrestling community and his fans, with AEW and many of his peers expressing their condolences.
