Home / Arts and Entertainment / Wrestler Honors Friend After World Title Win
Wrestler Honors Friend After World Title Win
8 Sep
Summary
- Malakai Black won the PROGRESS Wrestling Men's World Championship.
- Black learned of his friend Andy Williams' death before the match.
- Williams, known as The Butcher, was 48 and died from a medical emergency.
Malakai Black secured the PROGRESS Wrestling Men's World Championship on Sunday in Manchester, England, dedicating the win to his late friend Andy "The Butcher" Williams. Black became visibly emotional, sharing backstage that he learned of Williams' passing just moments before his title match. He recounted being "hysterical" before composing himself to compete.
Following his victory, Black addressed the crowd, requesting a final ovation for Williams. The audience responded with a resounding "Andy! Andy! Andy!" chant. Williams, 48, had died the previous Saturday night after experiencing a medical emergency during a tag-team match near Pittsburgh.
Known to wrestling fans as The Butcher in AEW, Williams also had a prominent career in music as a founding guitarist for Every Time I Die and later with Atomic Rule. Black's championship reign marks his first as PROGRESS world champion, but the celebration was unequivocally dedicated to his departed friend.
