Andy Williams, the Buffalo musician and professional wrestler known to All Elite Wrestling fans as “The Butcher,” has died at the age of 48.
Williams died after suffering a medical emergency at an Enjoy Wrestling event near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
He had just participated in a tag-team match at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale when he collapsed. Medical personnel at the venue immediately began treating him and administered CPR until an ambulance arrived.
Williams was transported to a hospital, where he later died. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his death.
A cause of death had not been announced at the time of publication.
The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from professional wrestlers, musicians and fans who followed Williams through two very different careers. He was known as the powerful, intimidating Butcher inside the wrestling ring and as a founding guitarist of the influential Buffalo metalcore band Every Time I Die.
What Happened to Andy Williams?
Williams was competing alongside Jesse Guilmette, known professionally as The Blade, during an Enjoy Wrestling event on Saturday evening.
The Butcher and The Blade had faced the tag team TME when Williams experienced a medical emergency at the conclusion of the match.
Enjoy Wrestling said its medical personnel responded immediately, performing CPR while waiting for an ambulance. The promotion ended the event early and sent attendees home as organizers went to the hospital and awaited further information.
Initial reports said Williams had been taken to a hospital in serious condition. His death was subsequently confirmed on Sunday.
Officials had not disclosed the nature of the medical emergency or determined a public cause of death.
Until the medical examiner releases additional information, speculation about what caused Williams to collapse should not be presented as fact.
Who Was Andy Williams?
Andrew Williams was born on December 12, 1977, in Buffalo, New York.
He became a prominent figure in Buffalo’s heavy-music community as a founding member and rhythm guitarist of Every Time I Die.
The group formed in 1998 and developed a devoted international following through its combination of metalcore, Southern-rock influences, technical guitar work and energetic live performances.
Williams played on the band’s studio albums and spent years touring with the group. His heavy guitar riffs were an essential part of Every Time I Die’s recognizable sound.
Fans sometimes referred to him as the “Riff Wizard,” a nickname reflecting the respect his playing earned within the hardcore and metal communities.
Every Time I Die remained active until announcing its breakup in 2022. By then, Williams had already begun establishing another career in professional wrestling.
From the Concert Stage to Professional Wrestling
Williams had been a longtime wrestling fan before he started training to enter the ring himself.
He began his professional wrestling career in 2016 and eventually formed a tag team with Jesse Guilmette. Guilmette performed as The Blade, while Williams adopted the name The Butcher.
Their presentation combined old-fashioned toughness with a distinctive visual style. The Butcher’s handlebar mustache, monocle, intimidating build and deliberate movements made him immediately recognizable.
The team often appeared with Allie, who performed as The Bunny.
The Butcher and The Blade competed for several independent promotions before making a surprise appearance on the November 27, 2019, episode of AEW Dynamite.
They emerged through the wrestling ring and attacked Cody Rhodes, introducing themselves to a national television audience.
The unusual debut quickly generated attention. Although some viewers already recognized Williams from Every Time I Die, others encountered him for the first time as The Butcher.
Andy Williams’ Career in AEW
Williams continued working with AEW as part of The Butcher and The Blade.
The team competed against many of the promotion’s prominent acts, including The Young Bucks, FTR, the Lucha Brothers and Dustin Rhodes with QT Marshall.
Williams also participated in singles matches and multi-person contests. His physical appearance and hard-hitting style allowed him to stand out even when he was not involved in the main storyline.
Balancing wrestling with music required significant commitment. While Every Time I Die was still touring, Williams sometimes moved between concerts and wrestling appearances.
The combination made him an unusual figure in modern entertainment. He was not a musician making a one-time wrestling appearance or a wrestler briefly performing with a band. He had earned genuine recognition in both professions.
That dual identity brought together two groups of fans following news of his death.
Every Time I Die and Buffalo’s Music Community
Every Time I Die emerged from Buffalo and became one of the city’s most internationally recognized heavy bands.
Williams helped establish the group alongside Keith Buckley, Jordan Buckley and Michael Novak. His guitar work remained part of the band throughout its active years.
The group released nine studio albums, beginning with Last Night in Town in 2001 and concluding with Radical in 2021.
Its live shows developed a reputation for intensity and unpredictability. Williams’ stage presence, imposing appearance and energetic performance style became a major part of that experience.
While the band’s breakup disappointed its audience, the music continued influencing younger musicians and attracting new listeners.
Following Williams’ death, fans described his riffs as an important part of the soundtrack to their lives. Others recalled meeting him at concerts and wrestling events, frequently remembering him as approachable, generous and kind.
Tributes From Wrestling and Music Fans
News of Williams’ death spread rapidly across both the wrestling and music communities.
Fans remembered the contrast between his intimidating public appearance and the warmth they experienced when meeting him. Fellow performers described a man who was enthusiastic about his work and supportive of the people around him.
For wrestling viewers, he was a performer who successfully turned a lifelong passion into a second career.
For Every Time I Die listeners, he was a guitarist whose playing helped define one of the most respected bands in modern hardcore music.
Many people belonged to both groups. They had watched Williams perform on stage with a guitar before later seeing him step into a wrestling ring on national television.
His death at only 48 has made the loss particularly difficult for those friends, colleagues and supporters.
Remembering Andy “The Butcher” Williams
Andy Williams built a life around two demanding forms of live performance.
As a musician, he stood in front of packed venues and delivered the heavy guitar work that powered Every Time I Die.
As a wrestler, he transformed himself into The Butcher, an unforgettable character capable of commanding attention before a match even began.
Few people achieve meaningful success in one highly competitive entertainment industry. Williams did so in two.
His journey from Buffalo’s music scene to internationally televised professional wrestling reflected his willingness to pursue the things he loved, even when that meant beginning an entirely new career later in life.
That example is an important part of his legacy.
Williams leaves behind music, matches and memories that will continue connecting the communities he helped build. The full extent of his influence can be seen in the messages being shared by people who picked up a guitar because of him, attended an Every Time I Die concert or cheered when The Butcher entered a wrestling ring.
Information about funeral or public memorial services had not been announced at the time of publication.
The thoughts of fans remain with Williams’ family, friends, bandmates, wrestling partners and everyone who shared the stage or ring with him.
Rest in peace, Andy Williams.
This article is based on statements from Enjoy Wrestling, confirmation attributed to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office and established reporting. An official cause of death had not been disclosed at the time of publication. Readers should avoid circulating unsupported claims about the medical emergency.
Andy Williams, 48, Obituary: Buffalo Musician and AEW Wrestler Dies After Pittsburgh Match
Andy Williams, the Buffalo musician and professional wrestler known to All Elite Wrestling fans as “The Butcher,” has died at the age of 48.
Williams died after suffering a medical emergency at an Enjoy Wrestling event near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
He had just participated in a tag-team match at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale when he collapsed. Medical personnel at the venue immediately began treating him and administered CPR until an ambulance arrived.
Williams was transported to a hospital, where he later died. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his death.
A cause of death had not been announced at the time of publication.
The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from professional wrestlers, musicians and fans who followed Williams through two very different careers. He was known as the powerful, intimidating Butcher inside the wrestling ring and as a founding guitarist of the influential Buffalo metalcore band Every Time I Die.
What Happened to Andy Williams?
Williams was competing alongside Jesse Guilmette, known professionally as The Blade, during an Enjoy Wrestling event on Saturday evening.
The Butcher and The Blade had faced the tag team TME when Williams experienced a medical emergency at the conclusion of the match.
Enjoy Wrestling said its medical personnel responded immediately, performing CPR while waiting for an ambulance. The promotion ended the event early and sent attendees home as organizers went to the hospital and awaited further information.
Initial reports said Williams had been taken to a hospital in serious condition. His death was subsequently confirmed on Sunday.
Officials had not disclosed the nature of the medical emergency or determined a public cause of death.
Until the medical examiner releases additional information, speculation about what caused Williams to collapse should not be presented as fact.
Who Was Andy Williams?
Andrew Williams was born on December 12, 1977, in Buffalo, New York.
He became a prominent figure in Buffalo’s heavy-music community as a founding member and rhythm guitarist of Every Time I Die.
The group formed in 1998 and developed a devoted international following through its combination of metalcore, Southern-rock influences, technical guitar work and energetic live performances.
Williams played on the band’s studio albums and spent years touring with the group. His heavy guitar riffs were an essential part of Every Time I Die’s recognizable sound.
Fans sometimes referred to him as the “Riff Wizard,” a nickname reflecting the respect his playing earned within the hardcore and metal communities.
Every Time I Die remained active until announcing its breakup in 2022. By then, Williams had already begun establishing another career in professional wrestling.
From the Concert Stage to Professional Wrestling
Williams had been a longtime wrestling fan before he started training to enter the ring himself.
He began his professional wrestling career in 2016 and eventually formed a tag team with Jesse Guilmette. Guilmette performed as The Blade, while Williams adopted the name The Butcher.
Their presentation combined old-fashioned toughness with a distinctive visual style. The Butcher’s handlebar mustache, monocle, intimidating build and deliberate movements made him immediately recognizable.
The team often appeared with Allie, who performed as The Bunny.
The Butcher and The Blade competed for several independent promotions before making a surprise appearance on the November 27, 2019, episode of AEW Dynamite.
They emerged through the wrestling ring and attacked Cody Rhodes, introducing themselves to a national television audience.
The unusual debut quickly generated attention. Although some viewers already recognized Williams from Every Time I Die, others encountered him for the first time as The Butcher.
Andy Williams’ Career in AEW
Williams continued working with AEW as part of The Butcher and The Blade.
The team competed against many of the promotion’s prominent acts, including The Young Bucks, FTR, the Lucha Brothers and Dustin Rhodes with QT Marshall.
Williams also participated in singles matches and multi-person contests. His physical appearance and hard-hitting style allowed him to stand out even when he was not involved in the main storyline.
Balancing wrestling with music required significant commitment. While Every Time I Die was still touring, Williams sometimes moved between concerts and wrestling appearances.
The combination made him an unusual figure in modern entertainment. He was not a musician making a one-time wrestling appearance or a wrestler briefly performing with a band. He had earned genuine recognition in both professions.
That dual identity brought together two groups of fans following news of his death.
Every Time I Die and Buffalo’s Music Community
Every Time I Die emerged from Buffalo and became one of the city’s most internationally recognized heavy bands.
Williams helped establish the group alongside Keith Buckley, Jordan Buckley and Michael Novak. His guitar work remained part of the band throughout its active years.
The group released nine studio albums, beginning with Last Night in Town in 2001 and concluding with Radical in 2021.
Its live shows developed a reputation for intensity and unpredictability. Williams’ stage presence, imposing appearance and energetic performance style became a major part of that experience.
While the band’s breakup disappointed its audience, the music continued influencing younger musicians and attracting new listeners.
Following Williams’ death, fans described his riffs as an important part of the soundtrack to their lives. Others recalled meeting him at concerts and wrestling events, frequently remembering him as approachable, generous and kind.
Tributes From Wrestling and Music Fans
News of Williams’ death spread rapidly across both the wrestling and music communities.
Fans remembered the contrast between his intimidating public appearance and the warmth they experienced when meeting him. Fellow performers described a man who was enthusiastic about his work and supportive of the people around him.
For wrestling viewers, he was a performer who successfully turned a lifelong passion into a second career.
For Every Time I Die listeners, he was a guitarist whose playing helped define one of the most respected bands in modern hardcore music.
Many people belonged to both groups. They had watched Williams perform on stage with a guitar before later seeing him step into a wrestling ring on national television.
His death at only 48 has made the loss particularly difficult for those friends, colleagues and supporters.
Remembering Andy “The Butcher” Williams
Andy Williams built a life around two demanding forms of live performance.
As a musician, he stood in front of packed venues and delivered the heavy guitar work that powered Every Time I Die.
As a wrestler, he transformed himself into The Butcher, an unforgettable character capable of commanding attention before a match even began.
Few people achieve meaningful success in one highly competitive entertainment industry. Williams did so in two.
His journey from Buffalo’s music scene to internationally televised professional wrestling reflected his willingness to pursue the things he loved, even when that meant beginning an entirely new career later in life.
That example is an important part of his legacy.
Williams leaves behind music, matches and memories that will continue connecting the communities he helped build. The full extent of his influence can be seen in the messages being shared by people who picked up a guitar because of him, attended an Every Time I Die concert or cheered when The Butcher entered a wrestling ring.
Information about funeral or public memorial services had not been announced at the time of publication.
The thoughts of fans remain with Williams’ family, friends, bandmates, wrestling partners and everyone who shared the stage or ring with him.
Rest in peace, Andy Williams.
This article is based on statements from Enjoy Wrestling, confirmation attributed to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office and established reporting. An official cause of death had not been disclosed at the time of publication. Readers should avoid circulating unsupported claims about the medical emergency.