Things started weirdly for WWE at Crown Jewel 2025. As fans waited to get things started at the RAC Arena in Perth, a surprise moment arose when the first song of the two sung by Sophie Foster was met with heavy booing from the Australian audience before the event.
The song happens to be the Star Spangled Banner, the US National Anthem. Interestingly, the Australian National Anthem, which succeeded the Star-Spangled Banner, did not meet the same fate.
The situation has greatly irked fans and wrestling enthusiasts back in the US. To that effect, Metroplex Wrestling ring announcer Kody Kox shared an interesting post on his X account where he criticized the Triple H-led brand for playing the American National Anthem in Australia in the first place.
Why Did the WWE Decide to Play the US National Anthem at RAC Arena in Perth
In keeping with its long-standing practice of opening major shows with the anthem, especially when showcasing top American talent or airing the event to international audiences. Sophie Foster performed the U.S. national anthem at RAC Arena in Perth to honor its American roots and highlight the global reach of its brand, even while staging events overseas.
Playing the Star-Spangled Banner in Perth might have also been a diplomatic gesture, recognizing the American performers and production team while celebrating the worldwide unity of WWE fans, even though it is not required for international shows. But clearly, that did not sit well with the Australian crowd. The WWE universe in Perth saw no point in playing the American Anthem first.
The Stamford-based promotion has historically played the Star-Spangled Banner first, particularly at international events. This is not the first time that the WWE universe has been antagonistic to the idea and subsequently booed the American National Anthem.
Other WWE PLE Events Where Fans Booed the Star-Spangled Banner
WWE fans made headlines for all the wrong reasons at the 2025 Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event in Toronto. The event, which took place at the Rogers Center on March 1, started with Canadian singer Elizabeth Irving singing The Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States, before switching to O Canada.
A startling moment swiftly went viral when the crowd burst into loud jeers rather than applause as the opening notes were played. Both online and within the WWE community, the backlash was swift.
Commentator Pat McAfee, taken aback by the reaction, addressed the incident live on air, calling out the disrespect and standing firm in defense of the anthem throughout the show. The moment sparked widespread discussion, raising questions about national pride, fan conduct, and the balance WWE tries to strike as a global brand rooted in American tradition.
With a second such incident, this time at the RAC Arena in Perth, the big question is whether the company should think and discuss within its hierarchy about whether to play the Star-Spangled Banner at international PLE events.
What are your thoughts on this controversial incident at Crown Jewel 2025? Share with us in the comments below.
Crown Jewel 2025 is currently streaming live on ESPN in the United States and Netflix everywhere else.
