Report: AEW prevents wrestler from performing due to potential crowd reaction

Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer reports that AEW professional wrestler Brody King was prevented from appearing on an episode of AEW Dynamite due to the potential that it would lead to “F*CK ICE” chants.

Despite the report, Sean Ross Sapp stated that WBD “did not have any involvement in Brody King’s upcoming AEW schedule.”

Official statement to Fightful from WBD on Brody King:

"Warner Bros. Discovery did not have any involvement in Brody King’s upcoming AEW schedule. Any speculation to the contrary is categorically false. Brody is scheduled to appear during the next AEW event, which will air this… pic.twitter.com/loT5k4QgwI

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) February 12, 2026

In real life, King opposes the government department ICE which has terrorized the nation for deporting brown people (mainly) without cause. It has led to multiple deaths including the videos of at least two Minnesota residents being shot. More astounding is the lack of the federal government investigation into the incidents. King has worn “ABOLISH ICE” t-shirts to the ring as part of his attire. Notably, he first wore the shirt in Mexico to huge ovations and supportive chants. Last week, King wore a shirt on television and the crowd started to chant “F*CK ICE” which reverberated for several minutes.

The report by Meltzer indicated that King was held off this week’s broadcast to prevent similar chants. Whether the decision was Warner Bros. Discovery, Tony Khan’s or someone else above or influencing Khan’s decision is unknown.

Payout Perspective:

An interesting observation reported by the observer. However, there are conflicting reports on the matter. Regardless, its clear that there is a sentiment of some professional wrestling fans that the current administration’s use of ICE is abhorrent. We see the WWE’s Chief Content Officer cozying up with the current administration despite what we see in the news, so it should not be surprising we get an opposing view. From a television standpoint, the production team could have had the crowd chanting a bad word bleeped out. If nothing else, it will likely mean that the next time King returns he’ll be met with even louder chants.