The AEW Dynamite episode for September 9, 2026 opened on a somber note as the company immediately paid tribute to Andy Williams. Right as the show intro began, AEW displayed a black-and-white “In Memoriam” graphic honoring “The Butcher” Andy Williams, listing his life as 1977–2026.
The tribute came just days after Williams died at the age of 48 following a medical emergency during Enjoy Wrestling’s Five Years event at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale, Pennsylvania. Williams collapsed following his match on September 5 and required immediate medical attention before being rushed to Allegheny General Hospital.
Millvale Borough Police later revealed that officers were dispatched to the venue at approximately 8:45 p.m. Williams was already unresponsive and being treated by two physicians when officers arrived, and he stopped breathing shortly before EMS got there. CPR was performed and an AED was used before Williams was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:43 p.m.
Police said there were no visible signs of trauma or indications of foul play. An autopsy has been performed, but the official cause and manner of Williams’ death remain pending additional examination and testing.
Williams became a familiar face to AEW fans after joining the company in 2019, most notably teaming with The Blade as The Butcher and The Blade. His time with AEW continued through 2025, and he also wrestled for Ring of Honor while maintaining his longtime career in music, where he was best known as a guitarist for Every Time I Die.
The Dynamite memorial was the latest tribute from Tony Khan’s companies. Ring of Honor also held a moment of silence and 10-bell salute for Williams before its September 8 television tapings, with Khan personally coming to ringside for the tribute.
AEW didn’t wait until later in the broadcast to acknowledge Williams, making his memorial one of the very first things viewers saw when Dynamite hit the air. What did you think of AEW opening the show by honoring The Butcher?
