U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego, the first Latino senator from Arizona, has publicly urged AEW President Tony Khan to bring the wrestling enthusiast and music star Bad Bunny to AEW. Gallego made the request on X (formerly Twitter) just before Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show, saying, “@TonyKhan, it’s time for @AEW to solidify its huge fan base. @sanbenito loves wrestling so I’d like him to make a few appearances. Just no stretcher matches please.”
This call to action followed a viral moment from Wednesday’s “AEW Dynamite” main event in Las Vegas, where the crowd chanted “F*** ICE” after Brody King entered the ring wearing a shirt that said “Abolish ICE,” and MJF was in the ring as well. Brody King supports families impacted by ICE raids through his work with Headlock Comics. Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, has also spoken out against ICE, notably during his recent Grammy acceptance speech.
Bad Bunny is a well-known WWE fan who has made several appearances, including at the 2021 Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 37, where he faced Damian Priest. The superstar also battled Priest in a San Juan Street Fight at WWE Backlash 2023. AEW fans were given an opportunity to voice their opinions on immigration enforcement during the “Dynamite” main event, with referee Bryce Remsburg hinting at the delay before the bell rang due to chants in the crowd via a post on his X account.
Fan Take: This public endorsement from a prominent U.S. senator highlights the cultural significance AEW could tap into by involving a superstar like Bad Bunny, who bridges music, wrestling fandom, and social activism. Bringing him into AEW could not only boost viewership but also further position AEW as a platform that embraces diverse voices and sociopolitical awareness in wrestling.
