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The Butcher and the Blade

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The Butcher and the Blade
Image
The Butcher (right) and the Blade (left) in July 2019
Tag team
MembersThe Butcher / Andy Williams
The Blade / Braxton Sutter / Pepper Parks
The Bunny / Allie (manager)
NameThe Butcher and the Blade
Billed heightsThe Butcher: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
The Blade: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Combined
billed weight		485 lb (220 kg)[3]
Billed fromBuffalo, New York[4]
DebutSeptember 9, 2017[5]
DisbandedSeptember 5, 2026[6]
Years active2017–2026[7]

The Butcher and the Blade were a professional wrestling tag team consisting of The Butcher (Andy Williams) and The Blade (Jesse Guilmette), and their manager The Bunny. They are best known for their time in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2019 to 2026.

The team debuted in September 2017 and wrestled in the independent circuit, as well as several regional promotions such as Bar Wrestling, Beyond Wrestling, and Empire State Wrestling in the United States and Capital City Championship Combat (C4) and Smash Wrestling in Canada.[8]

History

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Independent circuit (2017–2026)

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Image
The Butcher and the Blade in 2019

The Butcher and the Blade made their debut in Pro Wrestling Rampage (PWR) on September 9, 2017, defeating the Upper Echelon (Colby Redd and P. B. Smooth) for the PWR Tag Team Championship.[9] Starting in January 2018, they became a regular tag team in Buffalo, New York based Empire State Wrestling (ESW), calling the promotion their home and competing against teams involving Ultimo Dragon, Eddie Kingston, and Homicide. In April 2018, they made their Bar Wrestling debut teaming with Brody King in a losing effort against Eli Drake, Joey Ryan, and Kevin Martenson.[10] They would later team with Tyler Bateman as "Two Butchers and the Blade" in Bar Wrestling's Trios Tournament losing to SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky).[11] On August 8, 2019, they made their Progress Wrestling debut losing to Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis) in a three-way tag team match with the Dark Order (Evil Uno and Stu Grayson).[12]

They continued to wrestle together on the independent circuit until Butcher's death from on September 5, 2026.[13]

All Elite Wrestling (2019–2026)

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On the November 27, 2019 episode of AEW Dynamite, the Butcher and the Blade, led by a returning Allie as "the Bunny", made their All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut when they attacked Cody Rhodes after coming from underneath the mat.[14] It was later revealed by MJF and Wardlow that they were behind the attack on Cody, thus forming an alliance with the Butcher, the Blade, and the Bunny.[15] They made their in-ring debut on the December 11, 2019 episode of Dynamite, defeating Cody and Q. T. Marshall.[16] At Bash at the Beach, the Butcher and the Blade teamed with MJF and defeated Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes, and Q. T. Marshall.[17]

In May 2020, the Bunny ceased appearing with the Butcher and the Blade as Butcher and Blade continued teaming as well as appearing in the crowd during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the May 27 episode of Dynamite, Butcher and Blade attacked the Young Bucks after Nick Jackson accidentally superkicked Blade who was in the crowd. However, FTR came to the aid of the Young Bucks and helped them fend off Butcher and Blade.[18] On the June 10 episode of Dynamite, Butcher and Blade were defeated by FTR.[19] Butcher and Blade would then form an alliance with the Lucha Brothers as they defeated FTR and the Young Bucks at Fyter Fest.[20] On the July 24 episode of Dynamite, Butcher and Blade were defeated by the Young Bucks in a Falls Count Anywhere match. On the August 22 episode of Dynamite, Butcher and Blade and the Lucha Brothers began showing dissension after they were defeated by Jurassic Express and Natural Nightmares. However, Eddie Kingston would help reunite the group.[21] On the November 18 episode of Dynamite, the Lucha Brothers would turn against Butcher and Blade, as well as Kingston, after they attacked Pac.[22][23]

Following Revolution in 2021, the Butcher and the Blade ended their alliance with Kingston and joined Matt Hardy, Private Party and others in the Hardy Family Office.[24] The Butcher missed several months due to a thumb injury before returning at All Out. The Butcher and the Blade subsequently became number-one contenders for the AEW World Tag Team Championship, but lost to the Lucha Brothers.[25][26][27][28] In November 2021, The Butcher suffered a torn biceps during a match against Chaos.[29] Upon returning in January 2022, the Butcher became part of a storyline involving Andrade El Idolo, who eventually became the group's leader after Hardy's departure.[30][31] The Butcher and the Blade later feuded with Darby Allin and the Hardys before their alliance with Andrade ended at Double or Nothing.[32] Later that year, they aligned with Kip Sabian and began a recurring feud with Best Friends.[33]

In May 2023, they began appearing regularly for Ring of Honor (ROH).[34][35][36] In early 2024, the Blade was sidelined with a long-term injury, leading the Butcher to compete primarily in singles matches.[37] He subsequently competed in singles matches against wrestlers including Swerve Strickland, Dustin Rhodes and Claudio Castagnoli.[38] In June 2026, it was reported that their AEW contracts had expired, ending their nearly seven-year tenure with the promotion.[39]

Personal lives

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Before making his professional wrestling debut in 2016, Andy Williams (The Butcher) was Every Time I Die's rhythm guitarist since he co-formed the band in 1998 until their breakup in January 2022.[40][41] On September 5, 2026, Williams died at the age of 48 after collapsing during a match that night.[13]

Jesse Guilmette (The Blade) married fellow professional wrestler Laura Dennis on September 21, 2013. They worked alongside each other in Impact Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where Dennis managed them in the latter promotion.[42][43]

Championships and accomplishments

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  • Pro Wrestling Rampage
    • PWR Tag Team Championship (1 time)[7]

References

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  1. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 20, 2016). "The Butcher « Wrestlers Database « Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Archived from the original on October 11, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Braxton Sutter". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  3. ↑ [Free Match] Beaver Boys v The Butcher & The Blade | Beyond Wrestling #UnchartedTerritory (Tag Team). youtube.com. Beyond Wrestling. May 15, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  4. ↑ ESW - The Butcher & The Blade vs Anthony Gaines & Bill Collier (02/23/2019). youtube.com. Empire State Wrestling. April 6, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  5. ↑ "PWR Heroes & Villains 4". cagematch.net. Cagematch. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  6. ↑ Flanagan, Neal (6 September 2026). "Andy Williams, pro wrestling's 'The Butcher' and accomplished rock guitarist, passes away at 48". POST Wrestling. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Butcher And The Blade". cagematch.net. Cagematch. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  8. ↑ Greer, Jamie (August 24, 2019). "Indie Watch: The Butcher & The Blade". lastwordonprowrestling.com. Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  9. ↑ Dickman, Maggie (September 11, 2017). "Every Time I Die guitarist Andy Williams is a tag team champion". altpress.com. Alternative Press. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  10. ↑ Andrew (May 4, 2018). "Bar Wrestling 11: April O'Neil Review". socaluncensored.com. SoCal Uncensored. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Tag Team "Two Butchers and the Blade"". wrestlingdata.com. Wrestlingdata. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  12. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (August 9, 2019). "PROGRESS Toronto Results (8/8/19): WALTER Defends Unified World Title". fightful.com. Fightful. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  13. 1 2 "Andy 'The Butcher' Williams Dead At 48". TMZ. September 6, 2026. Retrieved September 6, 2026.
  14. ↑ AEW Staff (November 27, 2019). "AEW DYNAMITE Results November 27, 2019". allelitewrestling.com. All Elite Wrestling. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  15. ↑ Powell, Jason (December 5, 2019). "MJF reveals alliance with The Butcher & The Blade while responding to Cody's challenge". prowrestling.net. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  16. ↑ Trapp, Philip (December 12, 2019). "Watch Every Time I Die's Guitarist Make His AEW Debut". loudwire.com. Loudwire. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  17. ↑ Renner, Ethan (January 15, 2020). "AEW Dynamite live results: Bash at the Beach". f4wonline.com. Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  18. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (May 27, 2020). "FTR (Formerly The Revival) Make AEW Dynamite Debut, Save The Young Bucks". Fightful. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  19. ↑ "AEW Dynamite Results: FTR Makes In-Ring Debut, Cody Defends TNT Title, Chris Jericho". Wrestling Inc. 10 June 2020.
  20. ↑ "AEW Fyter Fest '20 Night 2 Results: Tag Team Title Match, Chris Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy & More!". Fightful.
  21. ↑ "AEW Dynamite 8/22/20 Results: New TNT Champion Crowned, Matches Made For All Out". Fightful.
  22. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (November 18, 2020). "Death Triangle Reforms On AEW Dynamite". Fightful. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  23. ↑ Gagnon, Joshua (November 18, 2020). "Death Triangle Reunites On AEW Dynamite". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  24. ↑ DeFelice, Robert (March 10, 2021). "The Matt Hardy Brand Hires The Butcher, The Blade, And The Bunny". Fightful. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  25. ↑ Renner, Ethan (April 9, 2021). "AEW House Always Wins results: TNT title match, Takeshita debut". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  26. ↑ Thomas, Jeremy (September 5, 2021). "Note on Why the Butcher Has Been Absent From AEW". 411Mania.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  27. ↑ Renner, Ethan (September 5, 2021). "The Butcher returns at AEW All Out". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  28. ↑ Collins, Joseph (September 17, 2021). "AEW Rampage live results: Lucha Brothers vs. Butcher & Blade". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  29. ↑ Rose, Bryan (November 19, 2021). "AEW's The Butcher suffers torn biceps on Dynamite". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  30. ↑ Guzzo, Gisberto (January 19, 2022). "Matt Hardy Sells 51% Of Hardy Family Office To Andrade, Claims To Have Made "Well Over Seven Digits"". Fightful. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  31. ↑ Klyn, Parker (March 9, 2022). "AEW Dynamite live results: Three title matches". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  32. ↑ Klyn, Parker (May 29, 2022). "AEW Double or Nothing live results: Hangman Page vs. CM Punk". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  33. ↑ Collins, Joseph (December 16, 2022). "AEW Rampage live results: Jon Moxley vs. Sammy Guevara". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  34. ↑ Black, Matt (June 1, 2023). "Ring Of Honor Results (6/1/23): Athena Defends Against Kiera Hogan". WrestleZone. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  35. ↑ Collins, Joseph (September 1, 2023). "AEW Rampage live results: Battle royal for ROH Tag Team title shot at All Out". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  36. ↑ Williams, Suit (December 14, 2023). "Ring of Honor TV results: Final Battle go-home show". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  37. ↑ Carey, Ian (April 21, 2024). "AEW's The Blade out of action with lower back injury". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  38. ↑ Howard, Ryan (March 20, 2024). "AEW Dynamite live results: I Quit TNT Championship match". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 28, 2024.Collins, Joseph (March 29, 2024). "AEW Rampage live results: International title eliminator". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 28, 2024.Williams, Suit (April 6, 2024). "AEW Collision live results: Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Komander". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  39. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (June 4, 2026). "The Butcher And The Blade Now Free Agents". Fightful | WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  40. ↑ Sciarretto, Amy (November 11, 2010). "Every Time I Die's Andy Williams, Keith Buckley Working on Other Projects". noisecreep.com. Noisecreep. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  41. ↑ Ploetz, Elmer. "Every Time I Die BMHOF Class of 2019". bmhof.org. Buffalo Music Hall Of Fame. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  42. ↑ Caleb Smith (November 16, 2013). "Pepper Parks and Cherry Bomb making a move together". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  43. ↑ "Slam! Wrestling News/Rumors". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. September 23, 2013. Archived from the original on April 28, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
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