Andrew “Andy” Williams, the longtime guitarist for metalcore band Every Time I Die who later built a second career as professional wrestler “The Butcher,” has died. He was 48.
Williams died after suffering a medical emergency during an independent wrestling event in Millvale, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Sept. 5. He collapsed near the end of a match at Mr. Smalls Theatre and received immediate medical attention, per NBC News. Doctors working at the event performed CPR until an ambulance arrived and transported him to a nearby hospital.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed his death. An official cause of death has not yet been released. A co-owner of Enjoy Wrestling said Williams showed symptoms that appeared consistent with a cardiac event, but that has not been confirmed as his cause of death.
All Elite Wrestling, where Williams spent years performing as The Butcher, announced his death and remembered him as someone who successfully crossed from the music world into professional wrestling. AEW also noted how respected Williams was by the people who worked
What Happened at the Wrestling Show
Williams was competing alongside his longtime tag-team partner Jesse Guilmette, better known as “The Blade,” during Enjoy Wrestling’s anniversary event.
Williams collapsed near the end of the match. Medical workers immediately began treating him, and the remainder of the wrestling event was canceled.
Reports citing emergency dispatch audio said Williams had hit his head on a ring post during the match. However, authorities have not said whether that incident played any role in his death.
His sudden death stunned fans because Williams remained active in both wrestling and music.
Who Was Andy Williams?
Born in Buffalo, New York, Williams found his greatest fame as one of the founding members of Every Time I Die.
The metalcore band formed in 1998 and developed a loyal following with its intense live performances and mix of hardcore punk, metal and rock influences.
Williams served as the band’s rhythm guitarist throughout its long run and appeared on all nine of its studio albums. The band’s final album, Radical, arrived in 2021 before Every Time I Die broke up in early 2022.
But Williams wasn’t finished performing.
He had already started pursuing another dream: professional wrestling.
Williams began wrestling later in life than many professional wrestlers. He wrestled his first full match in his late 30s and eventually became known as The Butcher.
His large build, distinctive mustache and intimidating appearance quickly made him stand out.
Williams teamed with Jesse Guilmette as The Butcher and The Blade. The pair eventually joined All Elite Wrestling, making their AEW debut in 2019. Williams remained with the company until his contract expired in 2026.
His unusual career made him recognizable to two very different groups of fans. Metal fans knew him as the guitarist who spent more than two decades onstage with Every Time I Die. Wrestling fans knew him as the powerful and intimidating Butcher.
He Was Still Making Music
Following the end of Every Time I Die, Williams continued pursuing music and formed another band, Atomic Rule.
The group released its first music in 2025. In a heartbreaking coincidence, Williams appeared in a video posted by Atomic Rule just hours before his collapse. He discussed the band’s new music and plans to tour with Gwar later in the year.
Williams’ death prompted tributes from both the wrestling and music communities.
Fellow wrestlers remembered him as a kind and supportive person whose real personality was very different from the frightening character fans saw inside the ring. Friends and colleagues also praised his humor, generosity and willingness to encourage younger performers.
Williams leaves behind a rare legacy. He spent more than two decades helping shape the sound of Every Time I Die, then took the unusual step of reinventing himself as a professional wrestler.
Whether fans knew him with a guitar in his hands or stepping into the ring as The Butcher, Williams built a career around doing the two things he loved most — music and wrestling.
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