The WWE/AAA Worlds Collide show in Chicago has surpassed 10,000 tickets distributed according to @WrestleTix.
Taking place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, Worlds Collide will run head-to-head with AEW’s All Out at the NOW Arena in the neighboring Hoffman Estates on September 26. That show has over 8,000 tickets distributed so far and heading towards a sell out.
The Allstate Arena is double the size of the NOW Arena in terms of seats so it’s unlikely WWE will sell it out in the two and a half weeks remaining.
CM Punk is advertised to appear on the show, which will move a few more thousand tickets in the weeks to come.
WWE was at the Allstate Arena just a couple of months ago for Raw and had 12,493 in attendance.
The Money In The Bank qualifying matches started last night on Raw with two matches taking place.
In the men’s qualifiers, Bron Breakker defeated Rey Mysterio and Ethan Page in a triple threat to move on while in the women’s qualifiers, Sol Ruca defeated Maxxine Dupri and Lyra Valkyria in another triple threat.
Next week on Raw, the debuting Lola Vice takes on Raquel Rodriguez and Kelani Jordan in the women’s qualifier, while in the men’s match, it’s Je’Von Evans vs Austin Theory vs Big Cass.
Bayley returned to Raw last night, attacking Lyra Valkyria and preventing her from advancing in the women’s Money In The Bank ladder match.
Valkyria had the triple threat match won after her Nightwing finisher but as the referee counted, Bayley came out and pulled her, breaking the pin. Valkyria looked like she’d seen a ghost and moved towards the corner where Bayley was, only to get a Sol Snatcher which ended the match.
Following Sol’s victory, Bayley entered the ring and attacked Valkyria but the Irish star escaped when Bayley set her up for a powerbomb on the announce table.
It’s currently unknown if Bayley has signed a new WWE deal yet. She was last seen on WWE television on the July 18 Saturday Night’s Main Event, losing to Valkyria at Madison Square Garden.
WWE Superstars will head out to two international tours after tonight’s Raw in Birmingham, Alabama.
The South America Live Tour kicks off on Wednesday with a show in Quito, Ecuador. On Thursday, September 10 it’s a live show in Bogota, Colombia and the following night on Friday, September 11 the tour moves to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It comes to an end on Saturday, September 12 in Santiago, Chile.
The Mexico Live Tour also starts on Wednesday, September 9 with a show in Guadalajara. Monterrey gets its show on Thursday, September 10 before a live Smackdown in Mexico City. The Mexico tour concludes on Monday, September 14 with Raw in Mexico City as well.
In between, WWE will also run the AAA Triplemania 34, with night one in Las Vegas on Friday, September 11 and night two on Sunday, September 14 in Mexico City.
Arena CDMX in Mexico City will host three WWE events during the weekend, with Smackdown, Triplemania, and Raw.
PWInsider.com is reporting that Bayley is expected back on WWE television as soon as tonight on the Labor Day episode of Raw on Netflix.
The multi-time champion has not been seen on WWE television since the July 18 Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York, losing to Lyra Valkyria in a one-on-one match. The match was said to be her last televised WWE match as she had not agreed on a new WWE deal and was expected to depart the company.
Her cryptic social media posts, along those of her best friend Mercedes Mone, fueled more speculation that she was on the way to AEW, but it turns out that whatever issues there were between Bayley and WWE were ironed out and the former champ is on her way back.
The 37-year-old has been part of WWE since 2012 as is considered one of the women’s locker room leaders.
Enjoy Wrestling co-owner Kurt Hackimer issued a statement to the KDKA-TV, the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, regarding what happened on Saturday night when Andy Williams collapsed at the indie event.
According to Hackimer, the medics who provided assistance at the event indicated that the symptoms were similar to that of a cardiac event but an official cause of death won’t be known until the results of the autopsy are released.
“Andy collapsed at ringside after his match on Saturday and hit his head on the floor. We carried him to the side where he was attended to by the two doctors we have on staff.
I called for an ambulance. At this time, he was conscious but unresponsive. His condition worsened quickly and his pulse faded. Called 911 again to provide an update and were informed that the police were about to arrive.
We ended the event and asked the audience to leave. Doctors administered CPR and utilized an AED provided by the police until the ambulance arrived.
He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital at around 9:45PM and we were informed of his passing by his tag team partner, Jesse Guilleman, shortly after midnight.
Medics on site indicated that the symptoms were consistent with a cardiac event, but we were told that the cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy.”
Talking to Outkick on FOX News, former WWE champion Cody Rhodes paid tribute to Andy Williams, the AEW star known as The Butcher, who sadly passed away at the age of 48 this past weekend.
Rhodes was involved in The Butcher’s and The Blade’s debut on Dynamite back in 2019 when the tag team jumped Rhodes in the middle of the ring.
“When I was away from WWE, I actually, him and Blade and Bunny, we had recruited them to do this really fun debut. He came up under the ring and they beat me up, and I definitely didn’t get to spend near enough time with him as a person,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes described Williams as super cultured and intelligent and if you had judged the book by its cover, you wouldn’t know how “truly special, intelligent, artistic, and beautiful of a person that he was.”
While not spending enough time with him, Rhodes said he was glad to be part of a team that brought him in and to be part of that debut moment.
“I told Brandi about that this morning and just such a shock, so young. Beautiful person, and he leaves behind multiple locker rooms of people that he touched, that all of them 100 percent have a good memory and a good story about him,” Rhodes concluded.
NXT star Lexis King has popped the big question to his now-fiancee Carolina Cruz as the duo got engaged over the weekend during a backyard party with friends.
The couple shared the video on their respective Instagram profiles, with Carolina writing, “I get to marry my best friend. Here’s to forever with you.”
King, the son of the late Brian Pillman, has been working for WWE since 2023. Cruz is a former WWE developmental star who unfortunately never got to make it on television.
Bronson Reed returned on WWE television at Sunday Night’s Main Event yesterday after six months out due to a biceps tear.
Reed interfered in the Oba Femi vs Bron Breakker match and caused the disqualification ending after he attacked Femi with a steel chair. Rejoining The Vision faction, Reed then proceeded to annihilate Femi along with Breakker, hitting multiple tsunami finishers.
Reed looked considerably thinner and quicker from the last time we saw him, with an incredible body transformation in 180 days.
The Australian star was injured on an episode of Raw in February during a match with Jey Uso and Original El Grande Americano in a triple threat for the final spot in the men’s Elimination Chamber match. Reed was originally supposed to win but the match ending was changed on the fly following his injury, with Uso taking his spot.
At the time, his Vision tag team partner Bron Breakker was also injured and Logan Paul went on to get injured a few months later with a torn triceps.
Sunday Night’s Main Event returns tonight live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the fourth SNME special for 2026.
Four matches are advertised for this two-hour event:
Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton
Oba Femi vs Bron Breakker
Baron Corbin vs Lil Yachty in a five-minute time limit match where if Yachty lasts for the whole match, Trick Williams receives a match for the WWE United States title immediately
Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and Tatum Paxley vs Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab in a six-woman tag team match
A 30-minute Countdown to SNME will air on YouTube and on WWE’s social media properties starting at 7:30PM ET.
If you’re in the United States, Sunday Night’s Main Event airs live on Peacock starting at 8PM ET. A subscription is required. For those internationally, the show will stream live on YouTube.
The wrestling world woke up to the horrible news that Andy Williams, better known to wrestling fans as former AEW star The Butcher, passed away yesterday at age 48.
“All Elite Wrestling is saddened to learn of the passing of Andy Williams, aka The Butcher. A trailblazing musician with ETID and Atomic Rule, Williams made a successful transition into the world of professional wrestling and was incredibly respected by his peers both in and out of the ring. Our condolences go out to Williams’ family, friends and fans,” AEW wrote in a statement published on social media.
Williams wrestled for AEW from 2019 up until recently.
Many others who worked with Williams throughout his wrestling career posted their thoughts on X.
Taz: “What a awesome & creative man this was. His body of work as a musician & pro wrestler is so cool! Purely such a talented person. But as you are all reading so many people who knew Andy they are telling you what a great person he was & such a gentle soul. That’s all very true. A great guy that worked hard, no shortcuts who wasn’t a fake or a bullshit artist…he was genuine, which is a very rare character trait in all forms of the entertainment business. He was just a REAL DUDE.
I use to call him “Big Butch” every-time I saw him & he would giggle & smile! RIP big man.”
Paige: “RIP Andy Williams, awful news to see this morning one of the best human beings.. Feel so lucky to have known you. Rest in power my friend.”
Brett Lauderdale: “The western ny wrestling family will mourn another devastating loss today. Not many were as universally loved as andy, he will be missed & remembered. Rest in peace and god bless you andy williams”
Jade Cargill: “Rip Butcher”
Stu Grayson: “Love you butch. For ever.”
Matt Hardy: “Saddened & shocked to hear about the passing of Andy Williams. Andy was a joy to work with – He was a kind, funny & deep individual who was an extremely talented musician & wrestler. My thoughts & prayers go out to all of Andy’s family, friends & fans. RIP brother”
Cruz Montana: “Love ya brother.”
Willow Nightingale: “During the Jacksonville days, Andy (along with Eddie) really advocated for me. He encouraged me to keep trying when my dreams still felt so far away. He raised my confidence. He made AEW feel like family even when I wasn’t officially a part of the team. And from what I’ve heard, he kept dropping my name in TK’s ear whenever given the chance. That’s not to make this about me, but to share a little insight on who Andy was. While I’ve known him for years, he really had no stake in helping me or seeing me succeed other than wanting to see a good person have good things happen. This man basically created a new sound with ETID and then pivoted to wrestling and crushed that too. He had every right to have an ego, but he didn’t. He reached his hand out and did what he could to help others.”
Josh Alexander: “Andy Williams was a musician and wrestler. He was one of the best people I ever met. Everytime we spoke I left the conversation better for it. I’ll remember Andy for what he was. A dude with an enormous heart that could always put a smile on my face. Rest in Peace brother.”
The Young Bucks: “Love you Andy.”
Mark Henry: “Sad loss of a good brother. RIP Butcher!”
Dustin Rhodes: “Man, terrible news. RIP Andy.”
William Regal: “I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Andy Williams. I enjoyed the time we spent together talking music and old wrestling. A lovely man. Rest well.”
Baron Corbin: “My man, I will miss you! Just heartbreaking!”
Prince Nana: “Rest in peace @andycomplains. Thank you”
Swerve Strickland: “R.I.P. Andy”
Sammy Guevara: “For a man his size, with all the tattoos, you’d assume he’d be this monster. But in reality, Andy Williams was always such a kind person to Tay and me anytime we saw him. Very sad day. RIP brother.”
Rusev: “Prayers for my friend Andy.”
Amazing Red: “Ain’t no way man… We were literally just chatting about life and wrestling hours ago! #ripButcher”
Lance Archer: “God Speed brother. Andy Williams aka The Butcher”
Gabe Sapolsky: “Just waking up to the new of Andy Williams. I only had a couple of correspondence with him. This is terrible. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. My heart goes out to all of you.”
Athena: “Just extremely awful news to wake up to. You were always so kind and I truly do miss talking and exchanging food recipes. Rip Butcher. My condolences to all friends and family.”
Lexis King: “Andy was an incredible person to be around. He had permanent aux privileges because his taste in music was impeccable. He always knew what song to play and when! IYKYK. Rest in Peace to an amazing human being.”
Bryce Remsburg: “Andy Williams was consistently in rooms full of cool and interesting people. And even so, Andy was consistently the most cool and interesting person in a room. Effortlessly. He made you feel cool and interesting just by talking to you. His smile could light up a stadium.”
Amanda Huber: “My heart is broken this morning hearing about my friend Andy. One of the sweetest people you’d ever meet. There’s something that always felt like back home when talking to him. Maybe it was the WNY accent but I think it was just who he was. Any time we’d end up sitting with each other we would talk about the most incredible range of subjects from playing instruments, foraging for food, wrestling, cosmology, and anything in between. He was an extraordinarily talented person both in the ring and outside of it. He was remarkably kind. The world needs more people like him. I’m wrapping Hana in my love, thoughts, and prayers. Also sending love to Jesse and everyone in Andy’s inner circle who I know is devastated by this loss.”
Matt Cardona: “RIP Andy Williams. I wasn’t lucky enough to know him well, but he was always super cool to me when we saw each other. I was mad at him when he shaved his head because his Butcher figure had long hair and became inaccurate.”
Frankie Kazarian: “I didn’t know Andy’s condition last night. I held off from texting assuming he was getting bombarded. Learned of his passing, and I am just sick with devastation. We bonded years ago over music, and became close through wrestling. A better dude, you won’t find. Godspeed my friend”
In a post on social media, Johnny Gargano thanked all the fans who never gave up on him at a time when even he gave up on himself.
Addressing the reaction after Friday’s Smackdown where he got to wrestle WWE champion CM Punk in his hometown of Cleveland, Gargano said that while he would love to say that we saw his best during the match, that would be a lie.
“After laying around feeling sorry for myself for 8 months.. Mentally and physically.. I’m a work in progress.. But I guess we all are,” he wrote, before announcing that there will be no more laying down.
“Last night was the beginning.. not the end. It’s time to stand up, be myself and put in the work to become the man I was always meant to be. For you. For me. For those who still believe in Johnny Wrestling,” Gargano continued.
The former NXT champion had a “sleepy” year, always filmed laying down on things, even during photo ops.
He also added that it was an honor to represent Cleveland and wrestle the WWE champion there and the fans had his back even against the best in the world.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do was be your guy and make you proud,” Gargano wrote.
TMZ.COM is reporting that Andy Williams, who performed as The Butcher in AEW, passed away after collapsing at an indie wrestling event promoted by Enjoy Wrestling.
The event was held at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennyslvania and it was canceled immediately after the medical incident occurred.
According to eye witness reports, Williams collapsed and was helped by his tag team partner The Blade and others before medics made their way out and performed CPR and used a defibrillator. He was taken to the Allegheny General Hospital where unfortunately his life could not be saved.
Williams, 48, was a former guitarist for the metal band Every Time I Die and transitioned to wrestling in 2010. He signed with AEW in 2019 along with his partner The Blade where he stayed there until just recently.
Britt Baker is returning to action for the first time since November 13, 2024 on the upcoming Dynamite Rebel Heart episode next week.
The former AEW Women’s champion will team up with Hikaru Shida and TBS champion Persephone to take on Thunder Rosa, Maya World, and Hyan in a trios match. Baker will also host The Waiting Room segment, along with Rebel, during the broadcast, with Shida and Persephone as their guests.
The whole episode of Dynamite will be to support AEW’s Rebel, who is suffering from ALS. Baker, who only returned at All In following 20 months out, is one of Rebel’s biggest friends and there was a push to have her return in time for this episode.
Andy Williams, the artist formerly known as AEW wrestler The Butcher who was part of the tag team The Butcher and The Blade, collapsed at an indie show yesterday night after a tag team match.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful is reporting that the incident took place in Pittsburgh at an event promoted by Enjoy Wrestling, where paramedics were brought in to perform chest compressions. A defibrillator was also used, suggesting that Williams went into cardiac arrest.
Williams, 48, was wrestling with his long-time tag team partner The Blade when it happened. According to eye witness reports, Williams fell on the floor after his legs gave out and that’s when the first help arrived. After they helped him back on his feet, Williams collapsed again and then paramedics arrived.
He was taken to a hospital with an ambulance and the show was immediately canceled.
“Andy collapsed at the end of his match this evening. Our doctors on staff tended to him immediately, administering CPR until the ambulance arrived. We sent everyone home and are at the hospital now waiting for more information. Thanks to everyone who helped and has reached out,” Enjoy Wrestling said in a statement.
The Butcher and The Blade left AEW in 2014 after a five-year stint with the company.
Dynamite on Wednesday with the fallout from All In had 796,000 viewers, up 4,000 viewers from the prior week. This was their most-watched show since April 2024. The show had a 0.15 rating in 18-49, down 0.03 from the previous episode.
Three WWE tag teams have been added to a four-way elimination tag team match at Triplemania 34 night one.
Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde of Latino World Order, Bravo and Rayo of Los Americanos, and Axiom and Nathan Frazer of Fraxiom will join Kento and Nobu San of Tokyo Bad Boys in this match which was announced yesterday.
This is so far the fourth match on the card which looks like it will be headlined by Rey Mysterio vs Omos.
Frazer will pull double duty that particular weekend as he also has a match on night two of Triplemania, another four-way match for the AAA Cruiserweight title.
The new faction headed by Royce Keys will be called 946 moving forward.
The faction also includes Bronco Nima and Lucien Price, who have now been permanently called up to the main roster from NXT.
WWE filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the term 946 on August 28.
The trio made their presence felt on Raw on August 24 when they attacked The Usos as well as LA Knight and Solo Sikoa, leaving everyone wiped out. This week on Raw, they also attacked The Usos again, leaving them bloodied up in the parking area.
