WWE drops “Invasion” name for October 7 event following uproar in ‘Israel’

WWE has rebranded its upcoming special episode of NXT following backlash in ‘Israel’ over the original event title and date.

Read more: Anger in ‘Israel’ over WWE event scheduled on Oct. 7

The show, which features a high-profile clash between wrestlers from NXT and Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, has been renamed NXT vs. TNA: Showdown, replacing the controversial NXT vs. TNA: Invasion.

The controversy centered on the combination of the term "Invasion" and the event’s scheduled date of October 7, which marks the second anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attack.

Reporting from the Hebrew newspaper “Israel Hayom” sparked global coverage, with the outlet claiming the branding choice was an act of "extreme insensitivity".

Critics were outraged that the term "Invasion" on this specific date directly recalled the Hamas operation.

In response to the mounting criticism, WWE removed the word "Invasion" from all official websites and promotional materials.

The change was publicly addressed during the latest NXT broadcast. Utilizing the show’s internal narrative, General Manager Santino Marella told the audience that the conflict was a "showdown," not an "invasion".