Wrestlers Bring U.S. Politics to Mexico Shows

AEW wrestler Brody King wore a T-shirt reading “Abolish ICE” during his entrance at a wrestling event in Mexico City this week, drawing attention for the political message displayed prominently in front of a live audience. In the days following the event, King announced that the shirt would be made available for sale, with proceeds going to The Local Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports families affected by immigration enforcement.

King’s statement comes in contrast to a previous political character portrayed by American wrestler Sam Adonis during his tenure in Mexico’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). As part of his run under contract with the promotion, Adonis appeared as a heel character who carried American flags featuring the image of former President Donald Trump and made pro-Trump remarks to antagonize crowds. The character drew widespread media coverage and strong crowd reactions, including jeers and debris thrown toward the ring.

Adonis has since said the gimmick caused long-term harm to his career. In a 2023 interview, he described the character as having done “irreversible damage,” despite its initial success in drawing attention.

Independent wrestler Daniel Richards has also incorporated political messaging into his persona, performing as “The Progressive Liberal” in various promotions across the United States. Richards, who has said the character is based on his real-life views, wore politically themed attire and delivered left-leaning promos while wrestling in predominantly conservative areas.

All three wrestlers have drawn attention for incorporating political themes into their characters while performing before live audiences in the United States and Mexico.