Andy Williams, the founding rhythm guitarist of metalcore outfit Every Time I Die and a professional wrestler known in All Elite Wrestling as “The Butcher,” died on Saturday night, Sept. 5, at the age of 48.
A Sudden Tragedy at Mr. Small’s Theatre
The fatal incident occurred at the conclusion of a match where Williams teamed up with his longtime tag-team partner, Jesse “The Blade” Guilmette, facing TME at an event hosted by promotion Enjoy Wrestling. According to statements released by the event organizers on X, medical staff stationed at the venue rushed to Williams’ side immediately after he collapsed, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until an ambulance arrived to transport him to a hospital. Despite those rapid intervention efforts, he could not be revived. A specific cause of death was not immediately available at press time.
https://x.com/AEW/status/2096624624200991096
In response to the tragedy, Enjoy Wrestling canceled the remainder of the event.
From New York Metalcore to the Squared Circle
Born into the rigorous underground heavy music scene of the late 1990s, Williams cemented his legacy as a foundational pillar of modern metalcore when he co-founded Every Time I Die in New York in 1998. Serving as the band’s rhythm guitarist, he anchored a notoriously volatile, high-energy sound across all nine of the group’s studio albums. From breakthrough releases to their 2021 swan song, Radical, Williams remained an unmovable creative force for the band’s entire run until their breakup in early 2022.
Never content to rest on his musical laurels, Williams embarked on a remarkably successful second career in professional wrestling during the 2010s. Wrestling alongside Guilmette as part of various tag teams, Williams adopted the menacing moniker “The Butcher.” In 2019, he brought that persona to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), quickly establishing himself as a reliable, hard-hitting hand in the promotion’s tag-team division. He remained under contract with AEW until June 2026, earning admiration from veterans and younger talent alike for his seamless transition between two notoriously punishing industries.
Industry Tributes and Continuing Musical Ambitions
All Elite Wrestling shared a statement on Instagram honoring the late performer, writing, according to Billboard: All Elite Wrestling is saddened to learn of the passing of Andy Williams, aka The Butcher. A trailblazing musician with ETID and Atomic Rule, Williams made a successful transition into the world of professional wrestling and was incredibly respected by his peers both in and out of the ring. Our condolences go out to Williams’ family, friends and fans.
Even after Every Time I Die dissolved in 2022, Williams never stopped creating heavy music. He joined the band Atomic Rule, channeling his ferocious guitar style into fresh projects while maintaining his demanding wrestling schedule. In a poignant final glimpse of his creative drive, Williams appeared in a video shared on Atomic Rule’s Instagram account shortly before his passing on Saturday, excitedly telling fans that the band was actively working on new material.
What are your favorite memories of Williams’ musical contributions with Every Time I Die or his powerhouse run in AEW? Let us know in the comments below.
