WWE NXT Vs. TNA Invasion Show Reportedly Rebranding, Possibly Due To Outside Pressure

The "WWE NXT" vs. TNA Wrestling special set for next week, going head-to-head with AEW's "Title Tuesday" edition of "Dynamite," is reportedly getting a new name. According to online insider WrestleVotes, the special, which was originally titled "Invasion," will now be titled "Showdown."

The change is possibly due to outside pressure. A post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday said that Sky News Arabia was reporting WWE angered Israel by using the title "Invasion" on October 7. The post featured a TikTok from @skynewsarabia, with captions in Arabic over footage of "NXT," including General Manager Ava's announcement about the Invasion special. The fact that both the name and the graphics were homages to the 2001 pay-per-view during WCW's "invasion" of WWE also didn't prevent fans from criticizing the name/date combination, as well as the logo, which some claimed resembled that of the terrorist organization Hamas.

October 7 will be the second anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people and the taking of over 250 hostages. The attack triggered a massive Israeli military response in Gaza that an increasing number of experts have referred to as an ongoing genocide. Online publication Israel Hayom reported WWE's choice of name on the date is "viewed as extreme insensitivity."

As of this writing, WWE has not officially renamed the event, though the change could happen as soon as "NXT" goes on air at 8 pm EST. 

According to Ava's announcement, two Survivor Series-style matches will be set for the special and teams for the matches will be announced on Tuesday. There will also be two title-for-title matches on the special, including both promotions' tag team championships and world titles.