Former AEW wrestling star, 48, dies after collapsing in ring throughout match
Former AEW wrestler The Butcher, real name Andy Williams, has died after he collapsed on stage during an Enjoy Wrestling show on Sunday night
Andy Williams, 48(Image: Getty Images)
A former AEW star has tragically passed away after collapsing during the main event of a wrestling show.
Andy Williams, 48, who is known as The Butcher in the ring and previously wrestled for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor, has tragically passed away.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office stated Williams passed away following health complications at Mr. Small’s Theatre in Millvale, Pennsylvania, TMZ reported.
During the wrestling event, medical experts performed CPR and deployed a defibrillator on Williams after he collapsed and was then rushed to Allegheny General Hospital. Heartbroken fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts and prayers.
Guitarist Andy Williams and vocalist Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die(Image: WireImage)
One fan wrote: “Rip scary to think how sudden things happen.”
Another stated: “Damn not The Butcher but appreciate for giving the fans the opportunity to peep you doing what chu do best and that’s putting ya body on the line inside the ring! R.I.P. “The Butcher” Andy Williams.”
A third penned “Plus guitarist for Every Time I Die. This is absolutely awful. He put in so much work the past few years and lost all that weight. Man.. RIP Butch.”
Alongside his wrestling career, Williams also co-founded the band Every Time I Die and was their founding guitarist. Williams played with the band until they disbanded back in 2021 after their final show.
Fans have been left heartbroken(Image: Future via Getty Images)
During the Saturday night show, Williams’ legs buckled, and he fell to the floor, according to witnesses. His partner The Blade called for assistance and attempted to try and pull Williams up, but he fell once and again and lost consciousness.
Eyewitness Rich Fann stated: “It was towards the end of the match.”
Fann added: “He seemed to be in a bit of dire straits, they went to a finish, and he was a little wobbly. Andy then went down, and Blade helped him up a bit and then tried to get folks to help. Once they saw, both the crew, the paramedics, and the crowd worked in unison. Cleared a path, paid attention to the calls on the mic, and then got him chest compressions, ice, and then the AED. Then they boarded and got him out of there.”
After Williams’ collapse at the show, Enjoy Wrestling issued a statement.
The statement read: ”Andy collapsed at the end of his match this evening. Our doctors on staff tended to him immediately, administering CPR until the ambulance arrived. We sent everyone home and are at the hospital now waiting for more information. Thanks to everyone who helped and has reached out.”
As news of his death emerged, the company simply added: “Butcher Forever.”
