by The atmosphere inside Suncorp Stadium for AEW Grand Slam Australia was already electric, but the night took a sharp turn from sports entertainment into visceral social commentary. As the lights dimmed for the main event build, a deafening, unified chant erupted from the Brisbane crowd: “F* ICE.”**
While wrestling fans are no strangers to colorful language, this wasn’t your typical “Holy Sh*t” or “This is Awesome” refrain. It was a direct, pointed echoes of the movement sparked by Brody King just months ago.
The Catalyst: From Mexico City to Brisbane
The seeds for this moment were sown at Grand Slam Mexico in June 2025, when Brody King walked to the ring in an “Abolish ICE” shirt. That powerful image led to King raising over $27,000 for the Local Hearts Foundation to support families affected by raids in Southern California.
In Brisbane, the chant served as a thunderous validation of King’s activism. For the fans in attendance, it was a way to stand in solidarity with a performer who has consistently used his platform to highlight human rights issues and community support.
Corporate Silence vs. Crowd Noise
The timing of the chants is particularly sensitive for AEW’s broadcast partners. Just this week, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) issued a formal denial regarding reports that they had pressured AEW to keep Brody King off Dynamite to avoid “Anti-ICE” sentiments ahead of their massive $82.7 billion merger with Netflix.
More Than Just a Chant
At its core, WrestleJoy has always been about the intersection of the art of professional wrestling and the passion of its community. Whether it’s fundraising for wildfire victims or supporting underserved communities, AEW fans have shown a unique penchant for turning their collective voice into something meaningful.
Last night in Australia, that voice was loud, it was profane, and it was impossible to ignore. As Brody King prepares for his next chapter, he does so with the knowledge that the joy he brings to the ring is backed by a global fan base that isn’t afraid to get political when human rights are on the line.
