On Tuesday, AEW and ROH gathered in Jacksonville, Florida, to pay tribute to the late Andy “The Butcher” Williams.
The September 8 ROH taping held at WJCT Studios commenced with a solemn 10-bell salute honoring Williams. A commemorative graphic was displayed on the video screen, and Tony Khan offered heartfelt remarks regarding the wrestler. Williams, who passed away at the age of 48 the previous weekend, had competed at an event for the independent promotion Enjoy Wrestling in Pennsylvania shortly before his death.
A prominent musician in the hardcore band Every Time I Die, Williams was an early member of the AEW roster and remained with the promotion until his contract concluded earlier this year. He competed across both AEW and ROH, earning his greatest recognition as part of the tag team Butcher & Blade.
WJCT Studios in Jacksonville serves as ROH’s regular venue for standalone tapings. Meanwhile, AEW intends to honor Williams during its Rebel Heart edition of Dynamite, scheduled to take place in Athens, Georgia, on Wednesday.
Official Police Statement on Andy Williams’ Death
The Millvale Borough Police Department released a statement to Post Wrestling detailing their response after responding to a call at Mr. Smalls Theatre, which hosted the Enjoy Wrestling event on September 5. Prior to Williams suffering a medical emergency, the tag team Butcher & Blade had competed against TME (Duke Davis & Ganon Jones Jr.) at the event.
According to police, there were no visible signs of trauma and no indicators of foul play. While on-site medics suspect that Williams suffered a cardiac event, the official cause of death will be withheld until the medical examiner’s findings are finalized.
- At approximately 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, Millvale Borough Police officers responded to Mr. Smalls Theatre following a report of a male wrestler striking his head on a ring post during an event.
- Upon arrival, officers found Williams unresponsive and being treated by two physicians present at the venue with the wrestling organization. Williams ceased breathing shortly before the arrival of Ross/West View EMS, prompting the initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the application of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
- Upon arrival, Ross/West View EMS continued life-saving measures. Williams was transported by ambulance to Allegheny General Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 9:43 p.m.
- Investigators observed no visible signs of trauma and no indications of foul play.
- The official cause and manner of death remain pending. An autopsy has been conducted by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office, and a final determination will be made once the examination and associated testing are complete.
- The Millvale Borough Police Department extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Williams’ family, friends, colleagues, and the numerous members of the wrestling and music communities impacted by his passing.
- No further information regarding the cause of death will be released until the appropriate medical examiner’s findings are available.
