Andy Williams’ death didn’t just shake the wrestling world — it changed things immediately for one of the men standing across the ring from him that night. Ganon Jones Jr., who wrestled Williams in what became The Butcher’s final match, is stepping away from wrestling after revealing his young daughter was so terrified by what happened that she begged her dad not to get back in the ring.
Williams passed away at 48 after suffering a medical emergency during Enjoy Wrestling’s September 5 event in Pennsylvania. Ringside News was the first wrestling outlet to break the story of Williams’ death after he collapsed at the event.
Williams teamed with The Blade against TME’s Jones and Duke Davis that night. Jones’ daughter was also in the building, cheering her father on before everything suddenly turned into a nightmare. Jones announced this week that he is stepping away from wrestling. He explained that he always thought his career would end because his body gave out or because wrestling stopped being fun, but September 5 gave him a third reason he never imagined.
“I always told myself I would walk away from wrestling for two reasons: either my body no longer allows it, or I’m no longer having fun. My body feels fine, and I’ve been having the time of my life… yet here I am.
Saturday, September 5th, at Enjoy Wrestling was one of the worst nights of my life. Not an hour has gone by since then that I haven’t thought about Andy and his family. Thinking about the match and everything that transpired afterward just keeps replaying in my mind.
My daughter was there that night cheering me on, yelling, and having fun… until she wasn’t. The events from that night scared her more than anything I can remember. When I was finally able to look at my phone after everything that had happened, I had a text from my daughter that said, ‘I am not letting u do wrestling anymore. I am crying.’
I guess I unlocked a third reason to step away from wrestling.
I cannot, in good conscience, leave the house to be The All Star when I have a little girl at home wondering if I’ll ever come back. She doesn’t deserve to have those thoughts, and I refuse to put her through that.
I hope this isn’t forever, because I don’t feel ‘ready’ to leave yet. Wrestling has given me some of the greatest memories of my life. It has given me friendships, experiences, and moments I’ll carry with me forever. It has allowed me to become The All Star, and I will always be grateful for every person who ever cheered for me, believed in me, shared a locker room with me, or simply gave me a reason to keep going.
But right now, I need to be a Dad before I can be The All Star.
So, I’m stepping away.
Please keep supporting wrestling. Keep showing up. Keep cheering. Keep loving your people while they’re here.
We lost one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met, and I’ll never stop thinking about him.
This isn’t goodbye forever. At least I hope it isn’t.
Rest easy, Big Andy.”
That text from his daughter clearly hit Jones harder than anything that happened inside the ring. She watched what was supposed to be another wrestling show turn into something terrifying, and Jones made it clear he isn’t willing to leave home for another booking while she’s sitting there wondering whether her dad is going to come back.
Jones, a Pennsylvania native who started wrestling in 2013, has also appeared for AEW. He worked several AEW Dark matches in 2021 and later faced The Kingdom on a 2023 episode of AEW Rampage.
The wrestling community quickly rallied around him after the announcement. Britt Baker, MVP, Lee Moriarty, Thea Hail and EC3 were among those who showed support by liking the post or leaving comments.
Williams’ official cause of death has not been announced. On-site medical personnel suspected a cardiac event, and police later released additional details surrounding the medical emergency.
AEW has also spent the days since Williams’ death honoring The Butcher. Ringside News covered the emotional 10-bell salute for Williams on AEW Collision, while Daniel Garcia later won The Butcher Battle Royale and earned the right to direct a $100,000 charitable donation in Williams’ name.
Jones walked into that Enjoy Wrestling show as The All Star, but he walked out with something far bigger than wrestling staring him in the face. His daughter saw one of the worst nights imaginable unfold right in front of her, and for now, being her dad matters more than any match, championship or booking.
What do you think about Ganon Jones Jr. stepping away from wrestling after his daughter begged him to stop following Andy Williams’ death? Let us know what you think and leave your feedback in the comments.
