Wrestler and Every Time I Die guitarist Andy Williams dies at 48 after Pennsylvania match
Andy Williams, known in the ring as The Butcher and as founding guitarist of metalcore band Every Time I Die, died Saturday night after collapsing following a match in Millvale, Pennsylvania.
In-ring medical emergency in Millvale
Professional wrestler and guitarist Andy Williams died Saturday night at the age of 48 after suffering a health crisis in Millvale, Pennsylvania. Williams collapsed inside the ring at the conclusion of a tag team match at Mr. Small's Theater during a live event hosted by independent promotion Enjoy Wrestling. The athlete had just completed a bout alongside his longtime tag team partner Jesse "The Blade" Guilmette against the opposing duo TME. Organizers halted and cancelled the remainder of the scheduled event immediately following his collapse so medical teams could provide treatment. Staff doctors attended to Williams inside the ring, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation until an ambulance arrived to transport him to a nearby medical facility.
Our doctors on staff tended to him immediately, administering CPR until the ambulance arrived.
Confirmation and medical examination
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Williams' death later on Saturday night. Authorities have not yet disclosed a specific cause of death pending further review. The emergency occurred shortly after the conclusion of what became his final match, cutting short an active athletic career on the independent wrestling circuit. Officials from the venue and the promotion worked with emergency responders during the transfer, while attendees and fellow competitors were informed of the cancellation of the remainder of the card.
Career with Every Time I Die and Atomic Rule
Before achieving prominence in national wrestling, Williams established himself over more than two decades as a foundational figure in heavy music. In 1998, he co-founded the metalcore group Every Time I Die in Buffalo, New York, serving as the band's rhythm guitarist. Williams remained a continuous member of the group across their entire 24-year run until their eventual disbandment in 2022. During that span, he performed on all nine of the band's full-length studio albums, concluding with the release of Radical in 2021. Following the dissolution of Every Time I Die, Williams continued writing and performing heavy music by joining the group Atomic Rule. Hours prior to his match on Saturday, he shared an update on social media indicating that Atomic Rule was actively working on new music.
- Co-founds metalcore band Every Time I Die in Buffalo
- Begins professional wrestling training and independent circuit matches
- Debuts in All Elite Wrestling under the ring name The Butcher
- Releases ninth studio album Radical with Every Time I Die
- Every Time I Die disbands; Williams joins Atomic Rule
- Concludes seven-year tenure with AEW and Ring of Honor
- Collapses following tag team match at Mr. Small's Theater in Millvale
Transition to professional wrestling
Williams began training for professional wrestling in the 2010s while balancing his full-time touring schedule as a musician. He initially competed across independent promotions before earning a contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he made his televised debut as "The Butcher" in 2019. Over the next seven years, Williams competed for AEW and its sister brand Ring of Honor, frequently pairing with Guilmette in tag team contests. His tenure with AEW concluded in June 2026, after which he returned to select independent appearances. AEW released a statement on Sunday praising his versatility across athletics and music.
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.
