AEW Fight Forever – the long-awaited video game from the eponymous wrestling company – arrives on 29 June. But it is already being met with significant controversy thanks to the name of a wrestling move in the game. Brock Lesnar’s legendary F5 is called “Diverticulitis” in AEW Fight Forever, and some WWE fans on social media aren’t taking it well.
After numerous delays, Fight Forever is the first opportunity pro wrestling fans have to experience all the action of All Elite Wrestling in video game form.
Its arcade-style gameplay marks a significant departure from WWE’s simulation-focussed 2K series. And while it may not feature quite the same breadth of features as WWE 2K22, Fight Forever does include numerous wrestling game staples in its creation suite.
This includes the ability to create and modify wrestler move-sets. Players will notice that AEW Fight Forever features a number of moves famously used by WWE superstars. One of these moves is the F5, Brock Lesnar’s fireman’s carry facebuster.
Anyone who has played WWE games before will know that it’s common for moves used by wrestlers outside the company to be given alternative names. Sometimes, these names hint at which wrestler the move belongs to. But in AEW Fight Forever, WWE fans have taken issue with name developer Yuke’s has given the F5.
F5 called Diverticulitis in AEW Fight Forever
The F5 is called Diverticulitis in AEW Fight Forever. This has caused controversy on social media as Diverticulitis is a gastrointestinal disease that Brock Lesnar suffered from in 2009.
Diverticulitis is caused by inflammation or infection of the diverticula. These are small bulges or pockets that can develop in the lining of the intestine.
Symptoms of the condition include severe stomach pain, high temperature, diarrhoea, and constipation.
Three variations of the “Diverticulitis” are featured in AEW Fight Forever.
WWE fans react to Diverticulitis in AEW video game
WWE and AEW are currently embroiled in a bitter wrestling war. This has caused tribal fans to highlight perceived indiscretions of both companies at almost every opportunity.
Naturally, some WWE fans reacted negatively to AEW’s naming of the F5. Many consider it disrespectful and in poor taste.
Twitter user @TRILLBlackLos tweeted: “I really hope this is just a hoax. If AEW really named the F5 “Diverticulitis”, then thats just severely tasteless, fam. Brock almost got taken out by that. I like lil shots, its cool, but a man nearly dying, not cool”.
User @RikG1985 tweeted: “Seriously you called the F5 .. Diverticulitis.. the F**K is wrong with you? Seriously. That’s pathetic, childish and really uncalled for. @YUKES_AEW should be ASHAMED”.
@MonsterBrunch, while noting it was an odd choice of name, felt the move looked good in the game. “Brock Lesnar’s F5 is called the ‘Diverticulitis’ in AEW Fight Forever in a weird nod to Brock’s medical condition. There are several variations that all look great!”
One angry commenter even demanded answers from AEW. @WWFCounselor said: “So who is responsible for the F5 being named after an illness Brock had, @tonykhan @KennyOmegamanX?”
Was the Diverticulitis Kevin Owens’ move?
While the F5’s name seems like a blatant Brock Lesnar joke, it may actually be related to a totally different wrestler.
Kevin Owens (then known as Kevin Steen) used the F5 during his time in Ring of Honor (ROH) and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG). In PWG, the move was called “Deep Sea Diverticulitis”. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that the move has been given this name in AEW Fight Forever for that reason.
Some Twitter users were quick to point this out. @TheRONYBrand wrote: “Kevin Steen (Kevin Owens) used the F5 in ROH/PWG and called it Deep Sea Diverticulitis in PWG.. Excalibur is a PWG founder so it’s likely that they would have used PWG/ROH terms for wrestling moves since F5 is Brock Lesnar.”
@EJth24th said: “The F5 was called the Deep Sea Diverticulitis in PWG. It was Kevin Steen’s finisher during the time. Calm down, please”.
If the F5 in AEW Fight Forever was named after Brock Lesnar, the joke is arguably rather tasteless. However, such tasteless jokes have always been a part of wrestling. In fact, WWE even ran a series of segments mocking Jim Ross’ legitimate colon surgery.
Ultimately, the exact reason for the F5’s name in AEW Fight Forever is unknown.
What do you think about this choice of name for the F5 in AEW Fight Forever? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
