The Butcher Bio
Andrew J. Williams, known professionally as The Butcher, is an American musician and professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He first gained recognition as the rhythm guitarist of the metalcore band Every Time I Die, performing under his real name and the stage aliases Andy Williams, Billy Goat Williams, and Ballsy Malone. In the ring, he is best known as one-half of the tag team The Butcher and The Blade, alongside longtime training partner Jesse Guilmette. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 274 pounds, he has carved out a physical presence in the tag team division since debuting on national television in 2019.
Born in Buffalo, New York, Williams built a parallel career across music and sport, beginning his journey in heavy metal long before stepping through the ropes. He is dyslexic, a fact he has discussed publicly on Renee Paquette’s podcast The Sessions. Since 2016, he has balanced touring with Every Time I Die and independent wrestling bookings, eventually transitioning to full-time professional wrestling after the band’s breakup in January 2022.
Early Life and Background
Andrew J. Williams was born on December 12, 1977, in Buffalo, New York. Growing up in the working-class city near the Canadian border, he developed an early fascination with both professional wrestling and heavy metal music. As a young man, he aspired to become a professional wrestler, idolizing the larger-than-life performers of the era. That dream, however, took a detour when a knee injury forced him to pause his training and pick up a guitar instead.
During his recovery, Williams learned to play guitar and immersed himself in the underground hardcore and metal scenes of western New York. He eventually co-founded Every Time I Die alongside lead guitarist Jordan Buckley and drummer Michael Novak, a band that would become one of the most enduring acts in American metalcore. The group’s relentless touring schedule defined Williams’ twenties and thirties, but wrestling never strayed far from his mind. He has openly discussed living with dyslexia, a condition that shaped his educational path but did not hinder his rise in either music or athletics.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Williams’ formal wrestling journey began at the Renegade Wrestling Association in Ontario, Canada, where he trained for six months before suffering a knee injury. The setback redirected his energy toward music, but he never abandoned the dream. Years later, while balancing the demands of touring, he resumed training under Josh Barnett, initially treating sessions as workouts before committing to a more structured path.
Unable to relocate to California, Williams returned to western New York and enrolled at Grapplers Anonymous in Lackawanna. There, he reconnected with Jesse Guilmette, a longtime friend and fellow aspiring wrestler, and the two began refining their in-ring craft together. In the summer of 2015, Williams made his first appearances on the independent circuit, including notable run-ins at Smash Wrestling and Progress Wrestling. His first official singles match came in March 2016 at Any Given Sunday 4, where he was defeated by Tarik, a bout in which he tore his meniscus. Just ten days later, he was back on tour with Every Time I Die, juggling recovery with his dual careers.
The Butcher Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
The Butcher and The Blade, as the tag team of Andrew J. Williams and Jesse Guilmette became known, began making regular appearances on the North American independent circuit in 2015. Their early work centered on promotions across the Northeast and in Ottawa, where Capital City Championship Combat (C4) is based. In September 2017, the duo captured the PWR Tag Team Championship at a Pro Wrestling Rampage event, defeating the Upper Echelon (Colby Redd and P. B. Smooth) for the titles.
Their first title reign lasted 63 days, ending when Guilmette was forced to defend the belts with a substitute partner after Williams was playing in Newcastle during the Low Teens tour. Despite the setback, the pair continued to hone their tag team chemistry, establishing a reputation for hard-hitting brawling matches. By 2019, the team had built a strong grassroots following and caught the attention of national promotions, setting the stage for their leap to All Elite Wrestling.
All Elite Wrestling Debut (2019–2020)
The Butcher made his AEW debut on the November 27, 2019, episode of Dynamite, joining The Blade and The Bunny in a post-match attack on Cody. The trio established themselves as heels, and it was later revealed that The Butcher and The Blade had been brought in at the behest of MJF to aid his feud with Cody. On December 11, 2019, The Butcher and The Blade secured their first tag team victory in AEW, defeating Cody and Q. T. Marshall.
The following year, the team broke away from MJF and aligned themselves with Eddie Kingston and the Lucha Brothers. The alliance eventually fractured, and by early 2021, The Butcher and The Blade had joined the Hardy Family Office stable alongside Matt Hardy and Private Party. At the House Always Wins event, The Butcher won a battle royal to earn a shot at the AEW TNT Championship, but was defeated by then-champion Darby Allin. A thumb injury kept him out of action for several months before he returned at All Out, where he and The Blade fell short in their bid for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
Hardy Family Office and Andrade Era (2021–2023)
Throughout 2022, The Butcher and The Blade remained a steady presence in the AEW tag division. The stable’s storyline shifted when Andrade El Idolo took over leadership from Matt Hardy, with the team engaging in a month-long feud against Darby Allin and The Hardys. The alliance with Andrade dissolved at Double or Nothing in May 2023, when he disbanded the group to bring La Facción Ingobernable into the promotion.
Following the split, The Butcher and The Blade allied themselves with Kip Sabian, reigniting a recurring rivalry with Best Friends. The trio appeared in multiple battle royals and multi-man matches throughout 2023, often coming up short against top-tier competition. Highlights included The Butcher’s strong showing in the Revolution Tag Team Battle Royal, where he eliminated six wrestlers before being tossed out by Rey Fenix, and a losing challenge for the AEW International Championship against Orange Cassidy.
Ring of Honor and Recent Years (2023–Present)
Beginning in May 2023, Williams expanded his presence to Ring of Honor, AEW’s sister promotion, where he regularly competed in tag team and multi-man matches. He and The Blade notched notable victories, including a four corners survival match win over The WorkHorsemen, The Outrunners, and The Infantry in December 2023. In January 2024, the team was defeated by Top Flight on Ring of Honor Wrestling.
After The Blade was sidelined with a long-term injury, The Butcher transitioned to singles competition, frequently appearing in televised matches against top stars such as Swerve Strickland, Dustin Rhodes, and Claudio Castagnoli. He continued to participate in high-profile battle royals at major AEW pay-per-view events, including Worlds End in December 2023, where he was eliminated by Killswitch. His willingness to work both as a singles wrestler and tag team specialist has solidified his reputation as a reliable hand on the roster.
Style and Strengths
The Butcher brings a brawler’s mentality to the ring, blending power-based offense with the timing and teamwork honed through years of independent tag matches. His physical stature, 6 feet 3 inches and 274 pounds, allows him to dominate striking exchanges and absorb punishment, while his musical background gives him a performer’s sense of drama and crowd psychology. Working alongside The Blade, he has developed a complementary partnership built on trust and a willingness to take risks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among The Butcher’s career highlights are his AEW Dynamite debut in November 2019, his battle royal victory at the House Always Wins event to earn a TNT Championship opportunity, and his appearance at the landmark Bash at the Beach event in January 2020, where he teamed with MJF and The Blade to defeat Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes, and Q. T. Marshall. His participation in major pay-per-view battle royals at Double or Nothing and Worlds End further cements his standing as a consistent contributor to AEW’s special events.
The Butcher Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Andrew J. Williams was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, a city with deep roots in both professional wrestling and heavy metal music. Details about his parents and immediate family remain largely private, and he has chosen to keep his personal relationships out of the public eye.
Williams has been open about living with dyslexia, a topic he has discussed in interviews, including on Renee Paquette’s podcast The Sessions. His willingness to speak about the condition has made him a quiet advocate for neurodiversity within both the music and wrestling communities.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, The Butcher continues to navigate a singles role on the AEW roster following The Blade’s long-term injury. He has remained active on weekly television, frequently appearing in competitive matches against established main event stars. While victories have been hard to come by, his willingness to step up has earned him consistent screen time and the respect of the locker room.
With Ring of Honor’s continued operation as AEW’s sister promotion, Williams is also expected to maintain a presence on ROH programming throughout the year. His experience in tag team wrestling makes him a valuable asset for potential reunion storylines once The Blade is cleared to return. The 2025 outlook suggests a year focused on rebuilding momentum, sharpening his singles game, and positioning himself for a meaningful push once his longtime partner is back in action.
Fans can expect The Butcher to remain a fixture in AEW’s midcard scene, contributing to battle royals, multi-man matches, and high-profile undercard bouts. His durability, professionalism, and crossover appeal from his music career continue to make him a unique figure in the modern wrestling landscape.
