Canadian Pro Wrestler Fired After ICE Shirt Sparks Backlash, Promotion Apologizes
A wrestler at a Real Canadian Wrestling event has drawn sharp criticism after wearing an "ICE" shirt during a show, prompting condemnation from fellow wrestler Kato the Luchador amid ongoing tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement operations in the United States.
Kato posted a scathing response on Instagram Stories, calling out the unnamed wrestler's choice to use ICE imagery for heat.
"A man was murdered today in broad daylight. He was the second person this month alone," Kato wrote. "Using that for 'heat' on a wrestling show is cowardly and minimizes the injustice happening in the United States right now."
The controversy comes as federal immigration enforcement operations have resulted in multiple shootings in Minneapolis, including the January 24 fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, and the January 7 death of Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother of three. Both were killed by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge.
"Every single person involved with this show should be ASHAMED," Kato continued in his post, which tagged Real Canadian Wrestling. "If you stood by and let this happen, you are complicit. Disgusting. Embarrassing. Deplorable."
The incident stands in stark contrast to other wrestling figures who have taken opposing stances on immigration enforcement. AEW wrestlers Brody King and Adam Page have both publicly criticized ICE operations, with King wearing an "Abolish ICE" shirt during televised events and raising nearly $30,000 for families affected by ICE raids.
Real Canadian Wrestling has issued a formal apology and dismissed the wrestler involved after an individual appeared at an Edmonton event wearing an apparent ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) uniform.
The promotion stated that the portrayal was not approved by management and was only brought to their attention after the wrestler entered the ring. RCW apologized to anyone offended or affected by the incident and emphasized that they do not endorse or support ICE or its actions.
