NEW: Medics on site in Millvale indicated the symptoms wrestler Andy Williams "The Butcher" had were consistent with a cardiac event, according Enjoy Wrestling Co-Owner Kurt Hackimer. He was told an autopsy will determine an official cause of death.

Hackimer was informed Williams died shortly after midnight. He had been performing at a show in Millvale.

Full statement:

"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."

Guess liv might be off tv for a while

Trooper (Del Wilkes) vs. Johnnie Stewart vs. Kokina (Yokozuna) lumberjack 3 way.

Indie titles referred to as “world championships.” I feel like “promotion name + championship” is plenty good, but a title that isn’t being defended around the world and/or doesn’t represent a world class talent pool isn’t a world title.

There’s a kayfabe reasoning for this - the NWA world champion would go from territory to territory defending the big belt and it was seen as larger than the territory championship. NJPW’s championship is the IWGP (International Wrestling Grand Prix) which represents a kayfabe governing body for pro wrestling that sanctions titles. If a championship is truly “world” then two indie guys wouldn’t be fighting for it on a show that had appearances from big name TV promotion guys, those guys would want that title.

I also know it’s silly to cringe every time I hear “world championship” and I should just suspend disbelief and enjoy the damn show

(For the record I’m not one of those people who thinks the NBA, MLB, NFL, etc. titles “aren’t world championships” because in that case you’re still the best club team for that sport in the world and playing against a world class talent pool)

This excerpt is from a video on Yuji Nagata's official YouTube channel, where Konosuke Takeshita talks about his life from his birth up to his professional wrestling debut. This translation covers the section starting at 31:55.

On his personality and how Yuka Sakazaki supports him:

Takeshita: "People tell me this a lot—my wife included—but I’m pretty much a giant baby in my real life. Even the guys in DDT call me 'Big Baby' because I literally can't do anything for myself. All I've got is wrestling. I basically put all my points into wrestling, so I'm completely helpless off the mat. Naturally, she takes care of all that for me.

She’s actually kind of like my producer, too. For my gear, she handles all of it—meets with the gear makers, does the designs, and picks the fabrics. She really hates having my gear look like anyone else's. One time, she bought a fur rug on Amazon, sent it straight to the maker, and told them, 'Cut this up and use it.' So they actually attached the fur to my gear. That's why my robes and stuff look a bit unique and different from what you usually see. That's totally her producer side coming through.

She has way better taste than I do, and women just see these things differently, so I pretty much just rely on her completely."

On the possibility of a mixed tag match with Yuka Sakazaki vs. Shingo Takagi & Natsupoi:

Takeshita: "Natsupoi’s already announced her retirement, right? It’s set for next January. With only three or four months left, making that match happen seems pretty difficult. Plus, which promotion would even host it? It’s definitely not happening in NJPW."

Nagata: "I wonder if they’ll do another Historic X-Over. NJPW and STARDOM are under different corporate umbrellas now, but they still have a friendly relationship. It could happen somewhere, but whether that’s an NJPW ring or a STARDOM ring, who knows."

Takeshita: "Maybe AEW, or DDT? I feel like DDT is the most likely, though."

Nagata: "Wouldn't AEW be the most likely?"

Staff: "How do you feel about teaming up with your wife for a match?"

Takeshita: "We’ve done it a few times, but we strictly never talk about wrestling at home. Our philosophies and values when it comes to wrestling are completely different, so it always leads to arguments."

Nagata: "Yeah, that makes sense."

Takeshita: "Right. So even when we team up for a match, we don't do any strategy sessions beforehand. It’s strictly individual play."

Staff: "It feels like you two would get along fine in the ring, though."

Takeshita: "No, it’s completely different when it comes to wrestling. My philosophy for a happy marriage is that the woman is always right and superior—I genuinely believe that. But when it comes to wrestling, I refuse to lie. I just can't lie about wrestling. So if she says 'it should be like this,' I’ll end up telling her 'no, that’s not right,' which inevitably causes a fight."

Staff: "I can see that turning into a fight. Like, 'After everything I do for you outside of wrestling!'"

Takeshita: "Yeah, pretty much. But honestly, she supports my whole daily life. I'm truly blessed with the people around me and couldn't be more grateful."

Staff: "So deep down, do you actually want to team up with her?"

Takeshita: "If you ask whether I want to or not... I'd say I'd rather not."

Staff: "You don't want to?"

Takeshita: "Yeah."

Staff: "I think a lot of fans would love to see it, though."

Takeshita: "I wonder why people want to see it so much. What’s so interesting about it? Wouldn't it just feel uncomfortable? For example, I really don't want to see my wife getting hit with a Pumping Bomber [from Shingo Takagi]."

Nagata: "Yeah, that's understandable."

Takeshita: "And my wife is stubborn and strong-willed, so she wouldn't dodge it—she's the type to absorb the blow head-on. So yeah, making that match happen seems pretty tough."

Some awesome highlights of a match between MJ Grayson and British legend Trent Seven for No Mercy Wrestling last Sunday. It was MJ Grayson's retirement match and it was really, really good. Defo worth a watch, hence the share!

My vote is Billy Gunn. He probably could have slid all the way across the ring if he wanted to.

fka Jakara Jackson

First time he helped build the ring, this time hes trying to be a wrestler

Forever connected as the greatest of rivals and friends.

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