Fans at an All Elite Wrestling match on Wednesday night broke out into an anti-ICE chant that briefly paused the pro-wrestling match.
At the AEW World Championship Eliminator Match in Las Vegas, which was being broadcast live on TBS and HBO Max, a loud and sustained cry against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of “F--- ICE” reverberated through the audience before the opening bell rang.
The AEW Dynamite main event brought together a large crowd in Vegas, a major immigration destination for Latinos where almost 35% of the population is Hispanic or Latino. The professional wrestling company has also attracted a larger Latino fan base in recent years by embracing Mexican luchadores and the Latino wrestling tradition.
Reigning champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman, also known as MJF, looked shocked as the chant began, staring into the camera wide eyed before scanning the crowd. Brody King, in the opposite corner, can be seen looking at the audience and nodding.
King has been outspoken against ICE in the weeks leading up to the Championship Eliminator Match. The pro wrestler and lead vocalist of the hardcore band God’s Hate collaborated with artists and a printing company to release t-shirts raising money for the Minnesota Rights Action Committee.
The t-shirt features a photo of King wearing a ski mask and a shirt that says “Abolish ICE.” The campaign raised nearly $59,000 to support Latino and Somali immigrant communities. In a post on X, King thanked fans who had made a purchase and finished the post by saying “F--- ICE.”
Last year, King made another statement against ICE by wearing an “Abolish ICE” shirt at AEW’s Grand Slam Mexico. After his choice of wrestling garb garnered significant attention and support, King released a t-shirt benefiting a non-profit organization in California.
King quickly defeated MJF at Wednesday night's event, giving him a chance to steal the championship title from MJF at Grand Slam Australia on Feb. 14.
AEW, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to NBC News requests for comment.
