AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com
Andy "The Butcher" Williams died at age on Saturday, July
5, just after leaving the ring on Saturday night at the
Enjoy Wrestling show in Pittsburgh, PA. Enjoy Wrestling co-
owner Kurt Hackimer issued a statement to KDKA-TV, the CBS
affiliate in Pittsburgh, regarding what happened on Saturday
night when Andy Williams collapsed at the indie event.
The full statement reads: “Andy collapsed at ringside
after his match on Saturday and hit his head on the floor.
We carried him to the side where he was attended to by the
two doctors we have on staff. I called for an ambulance. At
this time, he was conscious but unresponsive. His condition
worsened quickly and his pulse faded. Called 911 again to
provide an update and were informed that the police were
about to arrive. We ended the event and asked the audience
to leave.
Doctors administered CPR and utilized an AED provided by the
police until the ambulance arrived. He was taken to
Allegheny General Hospital at around 9:45PM and we were
informed of his passing by his tag team partner, Jesse
Guilleman, shortly after midnight. Medics on site indicated
that the symptoms were consistent with a cardiac event, but
we were told that the cause of death is pending the results
of an autopsy.”
The wrestling and music worlds are mourning his passing,
with many mourning deeply. By all accounts from literally
everyone that knew him, Williams was a man who lived and
laughed loudly, and deeply, and with a kindness and
curiosity towards people and animals that is very rare in
people anywhere, let alone just those in the worlds of music
and wrestling.
He would constantly send messages to friends, coworkers, and
strangers telling them he liked something they'd done, was
struck by some piece of music they'd written, great match
they'd had; encouraged someone who was feeling down. One
Twitter post from Kyle Fletcher symbolizes thousands of
times he did it:
"My heart is so heavy hearing about Andy this morning.
It is made slightly lighter hearing all the stories and how
much love there is for him in the world. One distinct
memory I have is being in the locker room at an AEW show
with him, I was talking about how my self image was very
much tied to my wrestling career and how what was happening
in wrestling would affect how I viewed myself personally.
We had a lovely conversation about how important it is to
have a life outside of our careers, spoke about how much he
loved his fiancée, the importance of being a good person
whatever that means to you, and how he found self love I
aspire to be as cool as Andy Williams. May he live forever
in our minds and hearts. Rest in peace friend.
If you want to remember Andy Williams, here are ways to do
so:
Tell the people (and animals) in your life you love them.
Now. Today.
When they do something really special, give them a shout
out, or an email, a tweet, or a DM.
Remember special days or occasions in their lives, but also
rainy days, when they're having a bad day, or just randomly.
Be curious about things that give you wonder. Share that
wonder with others. That's how you'll best remember him.
Another way is through participating in the events below (or
getting your local indie to organize one).
AEW honored Williams, first on last week's Rebel Heart
Dynamite, with an ‘in memoriam’ graphic opening the show
followed by Excalibur referencing Williams’ death. Later on,
during the broadcast, Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Taz
later spoke about Williams. Schiavone spoke of Williams work
in Every Time I Die in addition to being a “great human
being” with Taz saying afterward that he called him “Big
Butch.”
Excalibur said he fit the adage of a book not matching its
cover as he looked like a “hulking violent brute” but that
“one conversation with him revealed anything but.” Excalibur
openly cried in talking about what Williams meant: “We
are worse off without Andy, but we are significantly better
off for having had him at all", then finished while
choking back sobs with closing with the line from a ETID
song: "Though it may haunt us and break our hearts,
death cannot tear us apart. We’ll miss you.”
On Saturday night, AEW presented a Tribute to the Butcher
Collision with matches, and remembrances from talent and AEW
staff throughout the show, with the Collision main event a
Butcher Battle Royal with the winner "designating" a charity
to donate $100,000.
The match was worked, as Daniel Garcia, one of Williams'
fellow Buffalo Boys won, but nothing about the donation was.
Post-match, Garcia took a guitar Williams had used during
his time in Every Time I Die, as well as a sign
memorializing Williams and placed them in the ring. A video
tribute then played to the music of ETID.
After the show, AEW donated $100,000 to the music industry's
mental health charity, MusicCares, the industry's largest
provider of financial assistance and preventive services,
offering trusted support for mental health, addiction
recovery, basic living needs, health care and disaster
relief to everyone working in music.
There were comments from Williams's friends, with these the
most touching to me:
Justin Roberts: "He was an angel sent down who thought it
would be funny to live in the [person] of The Butcher while
helping as many people as possible in such a short amount of
time."
PAC: "We always knew you were an anomaly...too good for
this world...I love you, man...and you always made sure I
knew you loved me, too"
Daniel Garcia: He's the first person you want to call
any time you had a success, any time you had a win in life.
But he was also the kind of person that when you have a loss
in life, he was the first person you wanted to tell it to."
Then Tony Schiavone read comments from The Blade, who
working a show for FLEX Wrestling (which he and Butcher were
both scheduled to work for Saturday night): “Andy was the
most talented person that I ever met. But I think we all can
agree that he was an even better friend. Andy loved pro
wrestling and he loved the fans. Thank you to everybody for
the support. And thank you to everybody at AEW for tonight’s
event honoring Andy Williams. We love you, Andy.”
As said above, perhaps we can all try to be like Andy
Williams. Below is an example how:
It's September, fall is in the air...and the first leaves
are turning here in South Jersey. There will still be a hot
day or two to come, but schools are open, the NFL season
started this past weekend, pumpkin spice everything is
appearing... Spirit Halloween is open and Mariah Carey is
defrosting; but it's never too soon for local independent
wrestling promotions to think about what efforts they can
undertake to help their communities during 2026's Holiday
season. Given the political environment, more help will be
needed from every private source possible to help the
hungry, the sick, the cold, the homeless, sexual/domestic
violence victims, animal welfare, and too many more.
There are already 68 shows scheduled in 43 companies in 18 states and 2 Canadian
provinces with 23 already held, with
$136,965.76 US raised, 950 pounds of canned/
non-perishable food, 50 backpacks filled with school
supplies, at least 500 other assorted school supplies, and
50 pounds of personal needs supplies for the homeless.
* Mystery Wrestling/Fighting Back: Wrestling With Cancer
together presented the Infinite Rumble June 22-23 and again
set a record for the longest wrestling match in history;
while raising $33,106 CA/23,362.54 US for Fighting Back:
Wrestling with Cancer.
* Dream Pro Wrestling held The Outrunners Summer Vacation
show on July 24 in Louisville, KY, raising $7,181.41 to benefit IAamALS.org andRebel Tanea Brooks
* Innovate Wrestling returned to Kingsport, TN on August 1
for Back To School Bash, collecting $3,000 of cash
donations and school supplies.
* Louisiana Wrestling Alliance returned to Scott, LA on
August 1 for Intro The Void, collecting at least 300 items
of school supplies for schools through Acadiana.
* Capital City Championship Combat returned to Ottawa, ON at
the Preston Event Center on August 14 for Fighting Back:
Wrestling with Cancer to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society
with Ortiz, Joseph Sawyer (fka Joe Gacy), raising
$100,169.35 US/$139,000 CN "and counting".
* Relentless Pro Wrestling returned to Garden Grove, CA on
August 15, benefited Roxy Astor's Wrestling is 4 the Dogs,
and The Good Pawject, with on-site opportunities for both
fostering and adopting new dogs into families.
* Championship Honor Wrestling returned to Springfield, TN
on August 15, distributing 50 backpacks full of school
supplies with a school supply drive.
* Midwest All-Star Wrestling returned to Mankato, MN on
August 15, to benefit Bravo Zulu Women’s House, a dedicated
sober living home for female veterans in recovery. As a
result, the house has been purchased on September 1.
* Wrestling for Warriors/Midwest Premiere Wrestling returned
to Ft. Wayne, IN on August 16 raising $1,850 to
benefit Make-A-Wish.
* Girl Fight Wrestling returned to New Albany, IN on August
16, with a school supply drive, collecting three bags and a
large box of school supplies for Scribner Middle School in
New Albany, IN.
* United Wrestling returned to West Hants, NS, Canada on
August 16, distributing back to school supplies to 46
children.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns to Harrington, DE on August 22
to benefit the HPS Foundation, with $3,865 raised for
the HPS Foundation.
* Memphis Wrestling comes to Tupelo, MS at the Tupelo
Furniture Market on August 21 raising at least
$20,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
* Mutiny Wrestling Federation returns to Springdale, AR on
August 22, collecting at least 50 pounds of personal needs
supplies for the residents of 7hills Homeless Center.
* Victory Pro Wrestling returns to Portland, CT on August
29, benefiting A Fight Against, raising $900 for funds and
awareness for cancer research.
* Rock Solid Wrestling presents Shake The Lake in
Kirkland, ON this August 29; benefiting Community Living
Kirkland Lake.
* FLEX Wrestling returns to Syracuse, NY on September 2,
with a Toys for Tots table, allowing the local chapter to
collect donations directly from fans and supporters, well as
wrestling memorabilia for Toys for Tots to raffle.
* EMERGE Wrestling presents Stock The Shelves on Columbus,
IN on September 5, collecting 100 pounds of food for
the Love Chapel Food Pantry.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Barrie, ON this
September 5, collecting 150 pounds of canned and non-
perishables for the local food bank.
* Wrestling for a Cause returns to Broken Arrow, OK on
September 5, raising money to combat childhood cancer.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Kingston, ON this
September 12, collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* FLEX Wrestling returns to Ithaca, NY on September 12, with
a Toys for Tots table, allowing the local chapter to collect
donations directly from fans and supporters, well as
wrestling memorabilia for Toys for Tots to raffle.
* Wrestle Against Hunger returns to Tulsa, OK on September
13, distributing an average of 700 pounds of food,
including meats, canned goods, non-perishables, and assorted
foodstuffs.
-----------------------------
* Magnum Wrestling returns to Ralston, NE on September 19,
proceeds from this event will benefit Nebraska Adaptive
Sports.
* Neo Pro Wrestling returns to Niagara Falls, ON on
September 19 for the Jesse Scott Memorial Show, benefiting
the Scott Family
* Pinfall Wrestling Association returns to Springfield, IL
on September 19 for Punching for Paws, to benefit Animal
Protective League
* IHB The Chains comes to Atlantic City, NJ on September
26, raising funds for Jeff Cannonball
* Independent Pro Wrestling returns to Brantford, ON on
September 26, collecting non-perishable goods.
* House of Heat Pro Wrestling returns to Lafayette, IN on
September 26 with RVD and Kelly Kelly, raising funds for
MDA.
* XWE Pro Wrestling returns to Nelsonville, OH on September
26, to benefit the Athens County Dog Shelter.
* GCW Charity Wrestling comes to Shelbourne, ON this
September 27 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* FLEX Wrestling returns to the LECOM Event Center in
Elmira, NY on October 2 for Toys for Tots.
* Crossfire Wrestling returns to St Catharines, ON on
October 3; partial proceeds will go to The Niagara Peninsula
Foundation for Children
* Wrestling for a Cause returns to Broken Arrow, OK on
October 3 raising money to combat childhood cancer
* IWF Wrestling returns on October 3 in Nutley, NJ to
benefit the Greater Nutley Cancer Foundation
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Aurora, ON this
October 4 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* GCW Charity Wrestling comes to Peterborough, ON this
October 5 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* Timmy Global Health presents the 25th annual Timmy
Takedown on October 10 in Kirklin, IN. The event is run by
Dr. Chuck Dietzen (fka independent professional wrestler Dr.
Death and Dr. Doom), founder of Timmy Global Health. Timmy
Global Health works to engage volunteers for global health
for children worldwide.
* Pro Wrestling Epic returns to Affton, MO on October 10,
partial proceeds benefit Children's Miracle Network
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on October
11, distributing an average of 700 pounds of food,
including meats, canned goods, non-perishables, and assorted
foodstuffs.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns to Harrington, DE on October 12
to benefit the Cancer Society
* Primetime Wrestling returns to Prince George, BC on
October 16 for its biggest show ever as a charity
fundraiser.
* Pro Wrestling Odyssey returns to Stevenson Ranch, CA on
October 17, to benefit Breast Cancer Angels
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to North Bay, ON
this October 17 collecting canned and non-perishables for
the local food bank.
* FLEX Wrestling returns to Elmira, NY on October 23, with a
Toys for Tots table, allowing the local chapter to collect
donations directly from fans and supporters, well as
wrestling memorabilia for Toys for Tots to raffle.
* Stunt Cat and Friends Save Christmas Stunt Cat & Friends
Save Christmas returns to Dunsmore, PA on November 7 in a
live professional wrestling event to raise money for the
United Cerebral Palsy Angel Tree, which provides Christmas
gifts for children and adults with medical challenges.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns to Harrington, DE on November 7
to benefit Autism Delaware
* Wrestling for a Cause returns to Broken Arrow, OK on
November 7, raising money to combat childhood cancer
* EGCW Wrestling presents Christmasmania on November 7 in
DeBary, FL; collecting canned/boxed foods.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Batawa, ON this
November 7 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Lindsay, ON this
November 8 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* IWF Wrestling returns on November 14 in North Arlington,
NJ to benefit the Michael Robert Cammett Memorial Foundation
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Newmarket, ON
this November 14 collecting canned and non-perishables for
the local food bank.
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on November
15, distributing an average of 700 pounds of food,
including meats, canned goods, non-perishables, and assorted
foodstuffs
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Owen Sound, ON
this November 21 collecting canned and non-perishables for
the local food bank.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Thornbury, ON
this November 22 collecting canned and non-perishables for
the local food bank.
* LIVE Pro Wrestling & Portuguese Kids team up for Cojo's
Toy World annual Toy Drive event, presenting Wrestle Festa
(Dos) LIVE at The Vault Performing Arts Center & Pub on
November 22.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Belleville, ON
this November 28 collecting canned and non-perishables for
the local food bank.
* Ephesians Pro Wrestling comes to Rockwell, TX on November
28 in a toys for tots show
* UWC Pro Wrestling will return for its 32nd annual Toys for
Tots Show on November 29 in New Egypt, NJ, with admission a
new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
* Wrestling With Purpose presents December 4 in Pembroke, NC
for the Clash 4 The Kids Toys for Tots show.
* Generation Next Pro Wrestling returns to Cynthiana KY on
December 5 for GenNext Last Stand: Jingle Brawl benefiting
local families for Christmas.
* Total Wrestling Federation presents Wreck the Halls on
December 5 in Sacramento, CA, collecting toys for Shriners
Hospital
* APW returns to Statesboro, GA on December 5 for the
27th annual Steam Stampede Toys for Tots Dinner Show
* Stuff The Bus Panama City 14th annual Toy Drive in Panama
City, FL from December 6-16.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns to Harrington, DE on December 12
to benefit Toys for Tots
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on December
13, distributing an average of 700 pounds of food,
including meats, canned goods, non-perishables, and assorted
foodstuffs.
* Three Legacies Wrestling presents the Fill Our Ring Toy
Drive from August 4-December 21 in Lancaster, PA
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Oshawa, ON this
December 27 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
So...indies, start thinking about what you can do now. If
you're aware of shows your local indie is scheduling this
Christmas season, let me know at the addresses below.
If you'd like to contact me, you can do so at my
bobmagee1@hotmail.com account or to through Messenger at
https://www.facebook.com/bob.magee.180 , direct message me
at https://x.com/BobMage70323520 , or contact me at BlueSky
at https://bsky.app/profile/bobmagee940.bsky.social
