SYDNEY – The atmosphere inside Qudos Bank Arena on , extended beyond the scheduled championship contest between MJF and Brody King, as a vocal segment of the Australian crowd repeatedly chanted “F**k ICE” during ring introductions.
The outburst, which occurred before the opening bell of the AEW World Title match at AEW Grand Slam Australia, wasn’t an isolated incident. Similar chants erupted during MJF and King’s match on in Las Vegas, signaling a growing and increasingly audible connection between the wrestler and a politically charged message.
The chants stem from Brody King’s previous displays of support for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including wearing an “Abolish ICE” t-shirt at prior wrestling events. The recurring nature of the chants, now spanning both U.S. And international venues, has transformed the rivalry between King and MJF into something beyond a standard professional wrestling storyline.
While the chants initially raised concerns about potential repercussions, particularly regarding broadcast standards, AEW officials reportedly reacted positively to the attention. According to a report from Fightful Select, the company appreciated the mainstream exposure generated by the crowd’s reaction. Initial speculation that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), AEW’s broadcast partner, had intervened and potentially removed King from the episode of Dynamite proved unfounded, with WBD issuing a statement denying any involvement. King’s absence from that show was later attributed to travel logistics related to the Australian tour.
The situation highlights a broader trend within professional wrestling, as noted by CNN, where political undercurrents are becoming more explicit and integrated into storylines. Historically, wrestling has utilized political themes – from Hulk Hogan’s “Real American” persona battling the “foreign” Iron Sheik to Sgt. Slaughter’s portrayal as a Saddam Hussein sympathizer – but these were often broad, symbolic representations. The chants directed at King represent a more focused and contemporary political statement from the wrestling audience.
This shift reflects a broader mirroring of real-world political divisions within the carefully constructed world of professional wrestling. Where once wrestlers operated within agreed-upon sympathetic frameworks, the question of what constitutes a “good guy” is now a subject of debate, mirroring the contentious political landscape outside the arena. The dynamic between MJF and King, and the crowd’s reaction to it, exemplifies this evolution.
The chants themselves are a notable example of fan participation influencing the narrative. The viral spread of videos capturing the “F**k ICE” chants – shared widely on social media platforms like Twitter – demonstrates the power of the crowd to shape the conversation surrounding the match and the wrestlers involved. One Twitter user, @nickwray, posted a video of the chants at the Sydney event, while @TheDrainmaker captured footage of the chants during the match itself. Another user, @ItsPoletti, provided a partial spoiler, confirming the chants prior to the start of the bout. @BrentDelivine simply stated, “It’s FUCK ICE, no matter where you are.”
The AEW’s handling of the situation – initially allowing the chants to continue and subsequently clarifying King’s absence from a Dynamite episode – suggests a willingness to navigate this new terrain. The company’s apparent acceptance of the attention, as reported by Fightful Select, indicates a recognition of the potential for increased engagement and relevance in a media landscape increasingly driven by social commentary.
The ongoing rivalry between MJF and Brody King, now punctuated by these politically charged chants, has become a compelling case study in the intersection of professional wrestling, politics, and fan agency. It remains to be seen how AEW will continue to address this dynamic, but the events in Las Vegas and Sydney have undeniably established a new layer of complexity to the promotion’s storytelling.
