WWE renames NXT vs. TNA Invasion to Showdown after criticism

WWE has renamed next Tuesday’s NXT crossover special with TNA from NXT vs. TNA Invasion to NXT vs. TNA Showdown after criticism that the original branding was insensitive because the broadcast falls on the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel. The change, confirmed by the removal of the Invasion name and related graphics from WWE and TNA sites and social posts, comes after readers in Israel pointed out the timing and raised objections to the event’s logo and title.

An Israeli article that publicly criticized the Invasion name highlighted the coincidence of the date and said the branding was in poor taste. The show’s logo, which featured a prominent red letter V, was also questioned by some fans who said it unintentionally resembled a downward-facing red triangle associated with the attackers’ imagery. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer said the decision to rebrand was prompted by the criticism and that the company likely did not foresee the connection when it initially chose the term. “I do not think for a second that this was on purpose,” he said. “I think they just didn’t know.” He added that enough people made the connection to convince WWE to adopt a new...