Israel
WWE hit with Israeli backlash after ‘Invasion’ show announced for October 7
The name refers to a similar event from 2001, but has drawn criticism for its ‘insensitive’ date
September 30, 2025 13:06
The name refers to a similar event from 2001, but has drawn criticism for its ‘insensitive’ date
September 30, 2025 13:06Leading professional wrestling company WWE has come under criticism from Israeli fans after scheduling an event titled “Invasion” for October 7.
The show will see the climax of a storyline in which stars from partner promotion TNA “invade” NXT, WWE’s developmental show for up-and-coming performers.
The name references the original Invasion event in 2001, in which WWE, then known as the WWF, was similarly “invaded” by major names from WCW and ECW – former rival companies which the WWF had recently bought out behind the scenes.
However, some Israeli fans have claimed that the decision to schedule the show for October 7, the second anniversary of the Hamas incursion which killed 1,200 people, is “insensitive”.
An article in Israel Hayom claimed: “The choice of the name and the date – a day when Israel commemorates the memory of the massacre from October 7, 2023 – is viewed as extreme insensitivity.
"The term Invasion, on such a sensitive date, which directly recalls the infiltration of Hamas terrorists into the southern communities and the mass killings of Israelis and Americans, raises questions about who in the organisation is responsible for this preposterous decision.”
One fan also pointed out that the show’s logo, which features the title with a pronounced red letter V and was used for the 2001 iteration, unintentionally resembles the downward-facing red triangle used as a Hamas symbol.
They wrote on X: “So the WWE has an event called “Invasion” being broadcast on October 7th and the logo is a red downward triangle?
"That’s either a very unfortunate coincidence, or someone in the marketing team needs to get fired.
"And yes I looked into it and back in 2001 they used the name and V logo once, so it could be a very unfortunate coincidence but at the same time… no one caught that?”
Likewise, a prominent pro-Zionist X account added: “What was WWE thinking?
"Calling a show ‘Invasion’ on October 7 isn’t just tone-deaf - it’s offensive! That date marks unimaginable pain for Israelis & Americans.
"Choosing that name on that day is deeply disrespectful. Someone at WWE needs to take responsibility.”
Matches already announced for the event include “Survivor Series-style” elimination tag matches between the two promotions in both the men’s and women’s division, NXT Tag Team Champions Darkstate vs TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys for both sets of titles, and former NXT Champion Oba Femi against TNA World Champion Trick Williams.
The JC has contacted WWE for comment.
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