AEW Mourns Passing Of ‘The Butcher’ Andy Williams

AEW confirmed on Sunday, September 6 that Andy Williams, known to wrestling fans as The Butcher, has passed away. The news sent a wave of tributes through the promotion and the wider wrestling community, with AEW issuing a statement expressing its condolences to Williams’ family, friends and fans.

Before becoming a fixture of AEW’s tag team scene, Williams built a career in music, playing guitar for the influential metalcore band Every Time I Die and later performing with Atomic Rule. That background made his pivot into professional wrestling a genuine crossover moment, one that resonated with fans who followed him from the stage to the squared circle. Alongside his tag partner The Blade, Williams formed one half of The Butcher and The Blade, a duo that became known for its chaotic, hard-hitting style and its long-running association with managers Allie/Ryo Mizunami-era storylines and The Firm during AEW’s formative years.

AEW’s statement described Williams as someone who was ‘incredibly respected by his peers both in and out of the ring,’ a sentiment echoed across social media as wrestlers, colleagues and musicians from his past life in the hardcore scene shared memories and tributes following the announcement. The response from within the AEW locker room and beyond underscored how far Williams’ influence stretched — from the mosh pits of the metalcore world to the crash pads of the wrestling ring.

Williams was part of the group of talents who helped shape AEW’s early tag division, a period when the promotion was still establishing its identity in a crowded wrestling landscape. The Butcher and The Blade brought a distinct, brutal energy to that division, standing out through their willingness to bring weapons and unconventional violence into their matches, and by extension became a memorable part of AEW’s formative years even outside title pictures.

His story is also a reminder of how often wrestling draws talent from unexpected backgrounds. Musicians, athletes and performers from other walks of life have long found their way into the business, and Williams’ journey from touring with a respected metalcore act to competing on national wrestling television is one that fans and colleagues have pointed to as evidence of just how much heart he brought to his second career.

No further details have been released regarding services or memorial plans. AEW’s statement made clear that the promotion, and the wrestling world at large, is taking time to grieve someone who left an impression well beyond the ring. As tributes continue to come in from wrestlers, musicians and fans alike, the scope of Williams’ impact across two very different creative worlds is becoming increasingly clear.

PW Exclusive extends its condolences to Andy Williams’ family, friends and fans during this difficult time.