Guitarist and Pro Wrestler Andy Williams Dies at 48 After Collapsing in Ring
Andy "The Butcher" Williams, guitarist for Every Time I Die and Atomic Rule and professional wrestler, has died at 48 after collapsing during a match in Pennsylvania.
Andy "The Butcher" Williams, a veteran guitarist for the metalcore bands Every Time I Die and Atomic Rule, as well as a professional wrestler, died on Saturday night after collapsing at the end of a match in Millvale, Pennsylvania. Williams was 48 years old.
He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The remainder of the wrestling event was immediately canceled following the medical emergency.
A Dual Career in Music and Wrestling
Williams competed that evening alongside his tag-team partner, Jesse Guilmette (known as "The Blade"), as part of Enjoy Wrestling's "Five Years" event. Williams began his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in 2015 at the age of 37. In 2019, he joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name "The Butcher." The contracts of both Williams and Guilmette with AEW expired in June, after which they returned to independent wrestling promotions.
All Elite Wrestling released an official statement expressing their grief:
"All Elite Wrestling is saddened to learn of the passing of Andy Williams, also known as The Butcher. As a pioneering musician with Every Time I Die and Atomic Rule, Williams made a successful transition to the world of professional wrestling and earned immense respect from his peers, both inside and outside the ring. Our condolences go out to Williams' family, friends, and fans."
Legacy in the Metalcore Scene
Parallel to his wrestling career, Williams was a long-standing figure in the metalcore music scene. Born in New York, he co-founded the Buffalo-based band Every Time I Die in 1998. The band released nine studio albums before disbanding in 2022. His new musical project, Atomic Rule, was scheduled to embark on a West Coast tour with the band GWAR this coming November.
Just hours before his death on Saturday, Williams shared an enthusiastic update on social media regarding his band's progress:
"An update on the work we've put in! So excited to share all of this with you! We feel like we've finally found our footing, and now we're running forward at full speed."
