Andy Williams was already thinking about life after wrestling before his death — and Tony Khan says “The Butcher” had started talking with AEW about sticking around behind the scenes.
Khan revealed the previously unknown detail during a Twitter Live video ahead of the September 12 episode of AEW Collision, which was dedicated to Williams. While discussing everything Williams meant to the company, Khan revealed that the 48-year-old had recently started preparing for the day when he could no longer wrestle.
Williams died at 48 after suffering a medical emergency during an independent wrestling event in Pennsylvania, leaving the wrestling and music worlds mourning a man who had built successful careers in both. Khan said Williams had already approached the reality that wrestling couldn’t last forever and had begun discussing other ways he could remain involved with AEW.
“A lot of people don’t know this, Andy. In fact, I don’t think anybody knows this. I haven’t really talked about it. In recent weeks, Andy had been in conversations with AEW about things outside of the ring. You know, Andy passed away as a very young man at 48 years old. And in recent weeks he had said, ‘I don’t think I’m going to be able to wrestle forever.’ And Andy had ideas for AEW promotions and Andy had ideas for how he could contribute backstage.”
This wasn’t just Williams throwing ideas around either. Khan revealed that meetings had already happened in August after he personally helped set them up.
“And Andy just had a few weeks ago in August, Andy had meetings with my staff that I set up and I was interested in Andy continuing here out of the ring.”
That’s the part that really stings. Williams wasn’t looking at the end of his wrestling career as the end of his time with AEW. He was already trying to figure out what came next, and Khan clearly wanted him to remain part of the company. Khan said Williams still had a lot ahead of him when his life was suddenly cut short.
“He’s left as a very young man with a very bright future in front of him. And it’s very sad anytime we lose a friend, but especially so young as Andy Williams.”
AEW has spent the past week making sure Williams’ impact isn’t forgotten. The company opened the September 9 episode of Dynamite with a memorial graphic, while Tony Khan also joined the roster for a 10-bell salute before the September 8 ROH television tapings.
Now Khan has revealed just how close Williams was to starting another chapter with AEW. The Butcher may have been thinking about hanging up the boots someday, but he clearly wasn’t planning on walking away from wrestling — and AEW wasn’t planning on letting him disappear either.
What kind of backstage role do you think Andy Williams could have carved out for himself in AEW? Let us know what you think and leave your feedback in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
