The Butcher and The Blade’s AEW contracts expired this summer, making them free agents after nearly seven years with the company. Despite that, the pair has remained officially listed on AEW’s website.
Tony Khan personally ensured both names stayed on the roster page even after their deals ended, according to Fightful Select.
No new agreement has been announced, but AEW’s official site still carries The Butcher and The Blade on its men’s roster.
It was noted that although Butcher and Blade had effectively become free agents this summer, Tony Khan insisted the duo remain on the roster page for the company
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) September 18, 2026
– @FightfulSelect pic.twitter.com/XRfx96bKww
As previously reported, Butcher and Blade debuted in AEW on November 27, 2019, attacking Cody Rhodes alongside The Bunny. Their last match as a team on AEW television came in January 2024. Blade then suffered a serious spinal injury and had fusion surgery in September 2024. He did not return to the ring until December 2025.
Butcher continued working as a singles competitor, with his final AEW match coming in February 2025 against Gabe Kidd. The roster listing took on added weight after Andy Williams — Butcher’s real name — passed away at 48 on September 5. Williams suffered a medical emergency during an independent event in Pennsylvania.
Shortly before his death, Williams had resumed talks with AEW. Tony Khan revealed he arranged meetings in August to discuss a possible backstage role, as Butcher understood he would not be able to wrestle forever. AEW later dedicated a full episode of Collision to his memory.