Pro Wrestling Company AEW Takes Heat for Antisemitic Skit During War in Israel

Ahmad Austin Jr.Oct 11th, 2023, 4:17 pm
 

AEW, the professional wrestling company rivaling the WWE, is facing criticism following an antisemitic joke made during its weekly show AEW Dynamite on Tuesday.

During a skit between rivals Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Juice Robinson, Robinson stated his intention to join a match in which Friedman will also be competing. Robinson then pulled a roll of quarters out of his pocket and claimed he’d beat Friedman with them.

Friedman, who’s Jewish, has previously said that bullies would tease him for his religion by throwing coins at him.

He appeared visibly upset with Robinson at the sight of the coins.

“You come near me with those quarters,” Friedman said, “I’ll end your life, you piece of shit!”

Friedman then stormed backstage.

While many likely assumed Friedman’s visceral reaction to the quarters was part of the staged bit, Friedman doubled down on his harsh words for Robinson on Twitter.

“Tonight that piece of shit, Juice Robinson decided to bring up a story from my childhood that has left me scared,” he said. “I’m glad he did. He brought awareness to something we’ve all gone through in one way, shape, or form in our lives. On behalf of anyone who’s ever been bullied for being different in any capacity. I look forward to leaving him scared too.”

In the tweet, Friedman also revealed he’d be speaking at a “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” event on Thursday.

Considering the ongoing war in Israel, the skit was met with a great deal of backlash online.

AEW has not responded to the outrage. The company has, however, has shared Friedman’s tweet on its Twitter account. This seems to imply it was all a bit — albeit a poorly-timed one.

Watch above via TBS

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