World
WWE changes name of October 7 ‘Invasion’ event after Israeli backlash
The original name referred to a similar show that ran in 2001, but was changed after some fans complained that it was ‘insensitive’
October 1, 2025 10:31
The original name referred to a similar show that ran in 2001, but was changed after some fans complained that it was ‘insensitive’
October 1, 2025 10:31Major pro wrestling company WWE has changed the name of its event on October 7 after Israeli fans claimed that its “Invasion” tagline was “insensitive”.
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 referenced 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.
But some Israeli fans claimed that the decision to schedule the show for October 7, the second anniversary of the Hamas incursion which killed 1,200 people, was “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.”
However, on Tuesday’s edition of NXT, the promotion confirmed that the name had been changed, with the October 7 event now dubbed Showdown.
During the episode, Santino Marella, TNA’s on-screen “Director of Authority”, provided a kayfabe (the term used in the wrestling industry for the predetermined plot lines) explanation for the change, saying: “"This is not an invasion, we've been working together wonderfully for months now.
"This is more of an NXT and TNA showcase, no no no, a showdown!"
Matches already announced include “Survivor Series-style” elimination tag matches between the two promotions in both the men’s and women’s divisions, 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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