Tony Khan honors Andy Williams with 10-bell salute at ROH taping

Williams, who spent seven years with the company, passed away September 5.

Former AEW star Andy “The Butcher” Williams tragically died over the weekend after collapsing at an indie event. Tonight’s “Rebel Heart” episode of Dynamite was primarily focused on Tanea Brooks’ (aka Rebel) return to AEW and joining the fight against ALS. However, AEW commentators Excalibur, Taz, and Tony Schiavone did speak about The Butcher’s death in the middle of the show. Excalibur understandably broke down along the way while explaining why Andy Williams was such a special person, and how much it hurts now that he’s gone. "We are worse off without Andy, but we are significantly better off for having had him at all." The world will miss "The Butcher" Andy Williams more than words can describe. pic.twitter.com/czGbLggbD8 — All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 10, 2026 A graphic that popped up at the bottom of the screen indicated that AEW will be doing a bigger tribute to The Butcher on this Saturday’s (Sept. 12) live episode of Collision at MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. What did you think of the way AEW acknowledged The Butcher’s death on Dynamite? Do you plan to check out Collision to see their official tribute to him? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.

At the Ring of Honor taping in Jacksonville, Florida’s WJCT Studios last night (Sept. 8), AEW president Tony Khan led a ten-bell salute for Andy Williams, who died last Saturday night in Western Pennsylvania while wrestling for a Pittsburgh-based independent promotion. Williams wrestled for ROH and AEW as The Butcher from 2019 until earlier this year. Scoop #2: Tony Khan is out Has some kind words about “The Butcher” Andy Williams Show starts with a 10 Bell Salute pic.twitter.com/7SjpoKtQy7 — Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) September 8, 2026 Tony has come out to pay tribute to Andy “The Butcher” Williams. There was a 10 bell salute to honor him. #ROH pic.twitter.com/9qYHPgTEQW — Jaycob (@Jaycob) September 8, 2026 AEW hasn’t officially announced anything for tonight’s Dynamite, which was already announced as a special episode in honor of Rebel, who has been fundraising for ALS since being diagnosed with it a few months ago. Rising AEW star Kevin Knight did say that the roster is planning to honor Williams in their hearts on Wednesday night. In an interview with Atlanta’s NBC affiliate promoting the “Rebel Heart” Dynamite in Athens, Georgia, Knight said: “You know, I never got to meet Andy Williams. He was there before I got to AEW, but from what all the stories that I’ve heard, everything that I’ve seen on social media, he was a lovely guy. Nobody had anything ever negative to say about him, and man, he was just such a creative and inspiring person from what I could sense, and I really wish I could have met and connected with him, but again, we have two people on our minds going into tomorrow’s show, and it’s going to make it that much more special, so… It’ll be a good one.” It would also be pretty surprising if we don’t see the same memorial graphic on Dynamite, but we’ll see how they celebrate both Williams and Rebel. We know that Williams’ family and friends in his hometown of Buffalo, New York will be putting on an event Sun. Sept. 27. You can reserve a free ticket to that andywilliamsforever.com.

AEW President Tony Khan opened Tuesday's ROH taping with a 10-bell salute for "The Butcher," Andy Williams, who died over the weekend.