Val Venis Criticizes Brody King Over 'Abolish ICE' Shirt

The wrestling world's political divide escalates as veteran Val Venis takes issue with AEW star Brody King's activism.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The recent clash between veteran wrestler Val Venis and AEW's Brody King highlights the growing trend of athletes using their platforms to express political views. This controversy began with King wearing an 'Abolish ICE' t-shirt, which drew criticism from Venis, who argued that such displays are 'cosplay' rather than genuine activism. Venis's comments follow a similar rebuke of Mick Foley for supporting an anti-ICE chant at an AEW event, stating that 'yelling at institutions, assaulting other humans, destroying property, doesn't protect human beings. DUE PROCESS IS WHAT PROTECTS HUMAN BEINGS!'

Why it matters

This exchange reflects a larger debate about the responsibilities of public figures, particularly athletes, and their role in social and political commentary. While athletes have long been involved in movements, social media has amplified their voices and allowed them to connect directly with fans, leading to increased scrutiny and criticism.

The details

The current controversy began with Brody King wearing an 'Abolish ICE' t-shirt. This seemingly simple act drew criticism from Val Venis, who argued that such displays are 'cosplay' rather than genuine activism. Venis's comments, made on February 8, 2026, followed a similar rebuke of Mick Foley for supporting a crowd's anti-ICE chant at an AEW Dynamite event.

  • The 'F*** ICE' chant that sparked the initial controversy occurred at an AEW Dynamite event in Las Vegas on February 4, 2026.
  • Val Venis made his comments criticizing Brody King on February 8, 2026.

The players

Val Venis

A veteran wrestler who has criticized athletes for using their platforms to express political views, arguing that such displays are 'cosplay' rather than genuine activism.

Brody King

An AEW wrestler who wore an 'Abolish ICE' t-shirt, sparking the current controversy.

Mick Foley

A wrestler who was previously criticized by Val Venis for supporting a crowd's anti-ICE chant at an AEW Dynamite event.

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What they’re saying

“yelling at institutions, assaulting other humans, destroying property, doesn't protect human beings. DUE PROCESS IS WHAT PROTECTS HUMAN BEINGS!”

— Val Venis (newsy-today.com)

The takeaway

This exchange between Val Venis and Brody King suggests that political discussions will continue to be a part of the wrestling landscape, as athletes become more comfortable using their platforms to advocate for their beliefs. The key will be finding a balance between expressing personal convictions and respecting diverse viewpoints, as wrestling is ultimately about entertainment and avoiding the alienation of fans.