Sophie Foster performed the American national anthem during the WWE Crown Jewel event at RAC Arena in Perth on October 21, 2023. The performance, attended by over 13,000 fans, included a rendition of the Australian national anthem, which elicited enthusiastic participation from the crowd. However, the Star Spangled Banner was met with boos from attendees, which became a topic of discussion on social media after clips garnered over 200,000 views.
Foster, who is eight months pregnant, shared photos and videos from the night but did not address the crowd’s reaction. Responses from American fans on social media ranged from expressions of disrespect to questioning the appropriateness of performing the anthem in a foreign country. Many fans noted the tradition of performing national anthems at events and debated its significance, especially outside the U.S.
The event featured high-profile wrestling matches, including John Cena’s final appearance in Australia, where he faced AJ Styles. The main event saw Seth Rollins defeating Cody Rhodes to win the Crown Jewel Championship. Another WWE event is scheduled to take place in Perth on October 23.
- Why it matters: The booing of the American anthem highlights cultural sensitivities surrounding national symbols at international events, particularly in sports and entertainment.
- It raises questions about the practice of performing national anthems outside their countries and how such actions are perceived by local audiences.
- The latest: Following the Crow Jewel event, another WWE event will be held in Perth on October 23.
Source: https://7news.com.au/sport/wrestling/aussies-go-viral-for-booing-american-national-anthem-at-wwe-crown-jewel-event-in-perth-c-20321844
Source: https://7news.com.au/sport/wrestling/aussies-go-viral-for-booing-american-national-anthem-at-wwe-crown-jewel-event-in-perth-c-20321844