What happened
AEW opened its September 12 episode of Collision, held in Springfield, with a ten-bell salute in memory of Andy “The Butcher” Williams, according to Fightful, Ringside News, POST Wrestling, 411Mania, and eWrestlingNews.
Williams’ photo was displayed alongside a floral tribute and a guitar as the crowd stood for the moment, Ringside News reported.
POST Wrestling reported that the tribute also included heartfelt personal remembrances from those on hand.
What we know
Andy Williams passed away on September 5 at the age of 48, according to eWrestlingNews.
Williams, known in AEW as “The Butcher,” began working with the promotion during its first year in 2019, per Fightful.
Fightful also noted that Williams worked in AEW’s sister promotion in addition to his AEW appearances.
What is not confirmed
The cause of Williams’ death has not been disclosed in any of the available reports.
Specific details of the personal tributes delivered during the Collision broadcast, including who spoke, were not fully detailed across the cited sources.
Why it matters
Andy Williams was a familiar presence in AEW as part of its roster since the company’s earliest days, and the ten-bell salute reflected the wrestling industry’s tradition of publicly honoring performers who have passed away.
