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Real Canadian Wrestling (RCW) has severed ties with one of its wrestlers following a fire incident that occurred at the entrance of an “ICE” themed ring during a live event in Edmonton.
On January 24, a wrestler entered the venue sporting a T-shirt with “ICE” printed on the back, a reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This choice was not well-received by either the audience or fellow performers.
Independent wrestler Kato the Fighter took to Instagram shortly after the event to criticize the situation, linking it to real-life tragedies associated with immigration enforcement and recent violent incidents.
“Today, a man was murdered in broad daylight, the second this month. For a wrestling show to exploit this for ‘heat’ is shameful and trivializes the injustices happening in the U.S. Everyone involved should be ashamed. If they allowed this to occur, they are complicit. It’s disgusting and embarrassing.”
The backlash online grew rapidly, prompting RCW to issue an official statement clarifying that management had never approved the gimmick, and the wrestlers involved were let go immediately.
“RCW does not endorse or approve of the actions taken by the wrestler involved. The portrayal of the ‘group’ was not communicated to RCW management and was not known until the wrestler was already in the ring.”
“Effective immediately, the wrestler has been dismissed from Real Canadian Wrestling and all affiliated promotions, and will no longer perform or appear in any capacity with the organization.”
Moreover, the company expressed concern for the psychological impact this incident had on viewers.
“Real Canadian Wrestling sincerely apologizes to anyone offended, disturbed, or affected by the actions during the event. RCW is committed to maintaining a respectful and responsible environment within our organization and community.”
This incident has reignited discussions regarding the appropriateness of gimmicks and the boundaries within professional wrestling, especially when such storylines intersect with real-world trauma.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for wrestling fans as it highlights the ongoing struggle between entertainment and respect for serious societal issues. It could signal a much-needed shift toward greater responsibility in how promotions handle sensitive subjects, ultimately enriching the professionalism in the sport.
