WWE wrestling changes name of Oct. 7 ‘Invasion’ event after backlash

A leading US professional wrestling organization changed the name of an event scheduled for Tuesday, the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, after drawing criticism for naming the show “Invasion.”

World Wrestling Entertainment announced the “Invasion” event last month. The event title referred to cross-promotion in the event, in which wrestlers from the WWE’s NXT brand will face off against members of the TNA promotional company — an “invasion” by the rival brand.

The event coincides with the October 7 anniversary of the Hamas attack, which is often referred to as an “invasion” of Israel by the terrorist group.

Announcements for the event also featured an oversized red letter “V,” which unintentionally resembled the inverted red triangle used by Hamas to mark its targets in videos. The symbol is used widely by anti-Israel activists in the US.

The event title drew backlash from Israelis and other fans, who saw the naming as insensitive, and critical media coverage.

WWE appears to have quietly changed the event title to “Showdown” after the criticism, according to wrestling news sites.

Days after announcing the show, a performer dubbed the event “Showdown,” during another show.

The wrestling promotion did not make any formal announcement of the name change and did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

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. pic.twitter.com/LeX3RknldI

— shevereshtus (@shevereshtus) September 29, 2025

The event will take place in Orlando, Florida, and be aired on The CW television network.

In 2001, the wrestling company, then called the WWF, also called a similar cross-promotional event “Invasion.”

The Israeli Pro-Wrestling Association, an independent promotion based in Netanya that had criticized the “Invasion” event, applauded the name change, calling it a “small victory.”

“It’s always worth it to fight for what you believe in,” the group said on social media.

WWE and TNA are separate companies but have a partnership that features crossover shows bringing together wrestlers from the two organizations.

WWE’s NXT brand is a developmental program for lesser-known performers making their way to the big leagues.

While October 7 is a day of mourning for Israelis and Jews abroad, much of the American public is unfamiliar with the day’s events, according to a report released by the Jewish group Attune Now earlier this year.

WWE has also taken some criticism for the perceived hostility to Israel by one of its star performers, Sami Zayn.