The wrestling world — and the music industry — are in mourning after the sudden passing of two professional wrestling stars.
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"Superstar" Bill Dundee, an icon in Southern wrestling, passed away at the age of 82 on Sunday morning. His son, Jamie, announced the news with a post on Facebook, but he did not provide further details.
"With a heavy heart (it) hurts me to have to say this ...At 330 this morning the (SUPERSTAR) BILL DUNDEE has passed away ...I love you Dad illl catch you on the OTHERSIDE........ REST IN PIECE SUPERSTAR ...," Jamie wrote.
Andy Williams, who built successful careers in both music and professional wrestling, died on Saturday night at the age of 48. He collapsed after a match in Millvale, Pennsylvania.
The promoter of the event, Enjoy Wrestling, said in a post on social media that "Our doctors on staff tended to him immediately, administering CPR until the ambulance arrived."
Williams ultimately passed away overnight after receiving medical attention.
Dundee kicked off his wrestling career in Australia in the 1960s. He then began a rise to prominence in Tennessee in the 1970s, and he continued competing through his retirement in 2019.
Dundee took part in countless matches across WCW, AWA, and Jim Crocket Promotions. He had multiple "run-ins" with other prominent figures, such as Jerry Lawler and Jimmy Valiant.
Williams, for comparison, actually rose to prominence in a different manner. The Buffalo native had sought to become a professional wrestler, but an injury sidelined him for a while. He learned to play guitar, and he became a founding member of the metalcore band Every Time I Die.
Williams toured the world as the rhythm guitarist, and he helped Every Time I Die release nine studio albums. He made a major impact on the music world while bringing joy to fans and fellow musicians alike.
"Rest in peace Andy Williams," Chad Gilbert, guitarist of New Found Glory, wrote on Instagram. "Always made tours more fun. Will be missed by so many."
"The Butcher" did ultimately have the opportunity to resume his wrestling career. He worked on the independent circuit in 2015 and beyond, and then he joined AEW (All Elite Wrestling) in 2019.
He worked as a tag team partner to The Blade and faced off with some of the biggest teams in the promotion. Williams also competed in some singles competition due to The Blade recovering from an injury.
The rocker/wrestler's time with the promotion ended earlier this year after his contract expired.
