MILLVALE — Andrew Williams died at age 48 after collapsing during an independent wrestling show in Millvale, Pennsylvania. All Elite Wrestling confirmed Williams' death.

Officials have not determined the cause of Williams' death. Williams performed professionally as a wrestler under the name "The Butcher." He wrestled as part of the tag team "The Butcher and The Blade." Williams debuted in All Elite Wrestling in 2019. His contract with the promotion expired in 2026.

All Elite Wrestling is an American professional wrestling promotion. Williams wrestled his first full match in 2015 at age 37.

Williams was the rhythm guitarist for the metalcore band Every Time I Die from its inception in 1998 until its disbandment in 2022. Epitaph Records signed Every Time I Die in 2008. Williams formed the band Atomic Rule, which released a demo EP in 2025.

Atomic Rule planned to tour with Gwar in November and December 2026. Williams grew up in the Buffalo, New York, area. He had dyslexia, which prevented him from learning to read music.

Josh Eppard, drummer for Coheed and Cambria, stated that Williams' death was "beyond heartbreaking." "Peace to Andy, the kind giant who I thought was doing some backyard wrestling s--- with his buddies until one day I saw his mug on the TV and was in stunned disbelief. Andy was not only a pillar of one of the most true and influential bands in heavy music, he was also pulling double duty as a pro wrestler, Eppard said. Matt Hardy described Williams as a kind, funny & deep individual who was an extremely talented musician & wrestler."

Why It Matters

Williams maintained dual careers in professional wrestling and heavy music, defying stereotypes associated with both fields. His death at age 48 marks the loss of a figure who bridged two distinct entertainment communities. Peers and colleagues described Williams as a humble, cultured, and helpful person who exceeded expectations in both professions.

Timeline

Williams' contract with All Elite Wrestling expired in 2026. The official record states that Andy Williams collapsed at the end of his match at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale, Pennsylvania, on September 4, 2026, and was administered CPR by doctors on staff until an ambulance arrived. Williams collapsed during an independent wrestling show in Millvale, Pennsylvania, on September 5, 2026. Williams died at age 48 on September 5, 2026.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that officials have not determined the cause of Williams' death. It was further established that Williams was participating in a tag-team match with Jesse "The Blade" Guilmette when he collapsed. Organizers canceled the remainder of the wrestling event after Williams collapsed.

The official record states that Andy Williams collapsed at the end of his match at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale, Pennsylvania, on September 4, 2026, and was administered CPR by doctors on staff until an ambulance arrived. Research titled "Williams, Tex (1917-1985), musician" was published in 2000 in American National Biography Online. The event took place at Mr. Small’s Theater. Williams was born in 1962.