Professional wrestler Andy “The Butcher” Williams died after suffering a medical episode during a tag-team match Friday.
Williams, a 48-year old pro with All Elite Wrestling, collapsed in the ring while participating in a match with longtime tag-team partner Jesse “The Blade” Guilmette at Mr. Small’s Theater in Millvale, Penn., TMZ reported.
Doctors ran into the ring when it became apparent Williams was in distress and gave him CPR before he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to a representative for the Pittsburgh-based organization Love Wrestling.
“Butcher Forever,” the group posted Sunday morning after his death was confirmed.
Witness Rich Fann told POST Wrestling that Williams “seemed to be in a bit of dire straits, they went to a finish, and he was a little wobbly. Andy then went down, and Blade helped him up a bit and then tried to get folks to help.
“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 [defibrilator]. Then they boarded and got him out of there.”
Organizers canceled the rest of the event after the dramatic incident.
Officials have not yet determined the cause of death.
Williams was also an accomplished musician who played rhythm guitar for the heavy-metal band “Every Time I Die.”
