Professional wrestler Andy "The Butcher" Williams died Saturday at the age of 48, following a collapse during a match the previous night. Williams, known for his time in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), was competing for the Pittsburgh-based promotion Enjoy Wrestling when he fell.
According to a 911 dispatch call obtained by TMZ, Williams sustained an injury during the bout after striking his head on a ring post, leading to his collapse shortly thereafter. Emergency medical personnel were on-site and administered CPR until an ambulance arrived. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed Williams' death to TMZ.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with one noting that Williams appeared unsteady before falling. "Once they saw, both the crew, the paramedics and the crowd worked in unison. Cleared a path, paid attention to the calls on the mic and then got him chest compressions, ice and then the AED. Then they boarded and got him out of there," the witness recounted.
Enjoy Wrestling canceled the remainder of the event. The promotion paid tribute to Williams, posting "Butcher Forever." AEW also issued a statement, recognizing Williams as "a trailblazing musician" who successfully transitioned into professional wrestling and was "incredibly respected by his peers both in and out of the ring."
Outside of wrestling, Williams was also known as the guitarist for the heavy metal band Every Time I Die, which disbanded in 2022.
The official cause of death has not yet been determined. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office has been contacted for comment.