Andy Williams, the musician who spent more than two decades playing guitar for Every Time I Die before launching an unlikely second career as professional wrestler “The Butcher,” has died after suffering a medical emergency following a wrestling match in Pennsylvania. He was 48.

Williams collapsed at ringside Saturday night following a tag-team match at an Enjoy Wrestling event at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh.

Kurt Hackimer, co-owner of Enjoy Wrestling, said Williams was initially conscious but unresponsive after collapsing. Two doctors working at the event immediately began treating him, but his condition deteriorated rapidly and his pulse faded.

Medical personnel performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator while waiting for an ambulance.

Williams was transported to a local hospital, where he died Saturday night. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office subsequently confirmed his death.

The medical examiner has not yet announced an official cause or manner of death.

Hackimer said medical personnel at the venue indicated Williams' symptoms appeared consistent with a cardiac event, but that preliminary assessment should not be confused with an official cause of death.

Williams Collapsed After Tag-Team Match

Williams had returned to one of the partnerships that defined his wrestling career on the night of the emergency.

Performing as The Butcher, he teamed with longtime partner The Blade, whose real name is Jesse Guilmette, against TME during Enjoy Wrestling's anniversary event.

Williams completed the match before collapsing at ringside.

An attendee later told CBS Pittsburgh that Williams had appeared winded toward the end of the bout, although spectators initially believed what they were seeing was simply part of the performance. The seriousness of the situation became apparent after Williams collapsed minutes later.

Enjoy Wrestling canceled the remainder of the event and sent the audience home as emergency personnel treated Williams.

Dispatch audio obtained by TMZ documented the emergency response at the venue, including calls concerning an injured wrestler and requests for additional emergency assistance.

Williams ultimately could not be saved.

AEW Mourns ‘The Butcher’

All Elite Wrestling confirmed Williams' death and paid tribute to a performer who had become one of the promotion's most recognizable supporting characters during its early years.

“All Elite Wrestling is saddened to learn of the passing of Andy Williams, aka The Butcher,” the company said.

AEW described Williams as a trailblazing musician who successfully transitioned into professional wrestling and was deeply respected by colleagues inside and outside the ring.

Williams made his AEW debut in November 2019, appearing alongside The Blade and The Bunny.

The Butcher and The Blade developed into a regular tag team across AEW programming, with Williams' imposing appearance, handlebar mustache and unconventional path into wrestling helping distinguish him from much of the roster.

One of the duo's most memorable matches came against The Young Bucks in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Daily's Place during AEW's pandemic-era programming in July 2020.

Williams also became particularly successful in battle royales. AEW credits him with 26 battle-royale eliminations, the most in company history.

His AEW run concluded earlier this year after his contract expired, but Williams continued wrestling independently.

It was during one of those independent appearances that the medical emergency occurred.

From Every Time I Die to Professional Wrestling

Long before wrestling audiences knew him as The Butcher, Williams was already an established figure in heavy music.

He was a founding guitarist for Buffalo metalcore band Every Time I Die, playing with the group from its formation in 1998 until its breakup in 2022.

Every Time I Die developed a devoted following through its aggressive combination of hardcore punk, metal and Southern-rock influences, releasing nine studio albums during its run.

Williams spent years touring internationally as a musician before increasingly pursuing professional wrestling, eventually managing to establish legitimate careers in both industries.

He began wrestling professionally in his late 30s and steadily built experience on the independent circuit before reaching AEW.

Rather than abandoning his musical identity, Williams incorporated it into The Butcher. His heavily tattooed appearance and intimidating physical presence gave the character a distinctive look, while his history in Every Time I Die meant he arrived in wrestling with an existing fan base outside the sport.

Following Every Time I Die's breakup, Williams remained active musically and formed Atomic Rule, which released its first music in 2025.

Two Careers, One Unusual Legacy

Williams' death has resonated across two communities that rarely overlap so completely.

To metal and hardcore fans, he was the guitarist who spent more than 20 years helping shape Every Time I Die's sound.

To wrestling fans, he was The Butcher—a performer who began pursuing wrestling at an age when many athletes are already considering retirement and eventually reached national television with one of the industry's largest promotions.

AEW later dedicated an episode of Collision to Williams, opening with a 10-bell salute and featuring memories from friends and colleagues throughout the broadcast. The company also staged a Butcher Battle Royale, with longtime friend Daniel Garcia winning and earning a $100,000 charitable donation in Williams' name.

Williams was 48 years old.

For now, exactly what caused the medical emergency that took his life remains undetermined. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office is responsible for establishing the official cause and manner of death.

What is already clear is that Williams leaves behind an unusually broad legacy—one built first with a guitar on stages around the world, and later inside a wrestling ring as The Butcher.