Warner Bros. Discovery has reportedly intervened in All Elite Wrestling programming by banning wrestler Brody King from a live television appearance, a move linked to controversial fan chants and potential political repercussions.
Absence Sparks Speculation
Brody King, a prominent figure in All Elite Wrestling, was conspicuously absent from Wednesday's episode of AEW Dynamite on TBS. Instead of participating in live segments, King only appeared in a pre-recorded video package promoting his upcoming match against AEW World Champion MJF. This sudden change in programming raised immediate questions among wrestling enthusiasts and industry observers.
Political Chants Trigger Corporate Response
According to multiple reports, Warner Bros. Discovery—which holds a minority ownership stake in AEW—made the decision to pull King from the broadcast. The primary concern centered around preventing further chants of "f*** ICE" from the live audience. These chants first erupted during the February 4 episode of Dynamite before King's initial encounter with MJF.
King has previously expressed his opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by wearing an "Abolish ICE" shirt to the ring. The controversial chants during the February 4 broadcast went viral, generating significant mainstream media attention for AEW and highlighting the intersection of professional wrestling and political expression.
Corporate Concerns Over Political Fallout
On the Wrestling Observer Radio program, veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer provided insight into Warner Bros. Discovery's motivations. Meltzer suggested that the media conglomerate wanted to avoid upsetting U.S. President Donald Trump, who is also a WWE Hall of Famer. This concern stems from Warner Bros. Discovery's pending acquisition by Netflix, which requires regulatory approval from the Trump administration.
"The deal is that they didn't want the fans in the arena to be chanting that. If Brody came out, there was that risk ... when he comes back, it will happen again. I don't know how they're going to handle it," Meltzer explained, according to Cultaholic.
Meltzer emphasized that the decision did not originate from AEW promoter Tony Khan but directly from Warner Bros. Discovery executives. "Nobody wants to get on Trump's bad side," Meltzer noted, adding, "If it wasn't for that, nobody would care, it's just a chant, but unfortunately they've [WBD] got a company they're trying to sell and get regulatory approval from a guy who is gonna take that stuff personal. That's just how it is."
Future Implications for AEW Programming
Despite his absence from Wednesday's broadcast, Brody King remains scheduled to challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship at Grand Slam Australia. This major event is set to air Saturday night on TNT in the United States, presenting a potential flashpoint for further controversy.
The incident raises significant questions about corporate influence in professional wrestling and the balancing act between entertainment, political expression, and business considerations. As Warner Bros. Discovery navigates its acquisition process with Netflix, such decisions may become increasingly common, potentially reshaping how wrestling promotions handle politically charged content.
This development also highlights the growing mainstream visibility of All Elite Wrestling, which has frequently embraced edgier content compared to its competitors. The viral nature of the "f*** ICE" chants demonstrates how wrestling audiences can amplify political messages, creating challenges for media companies with diverse stakeholder interests.
