Americans have expressed anger after Australian wrestling fans booed the US national anthem at a World Wrestling Entertainment event in Perth, with footage of the incident going viral online.
Sophie Foster was greeted with loud booing when she performed the Star-Spangled Banner at the WWE Crown Jewel event on Saturday night, local time.
The reaction occurred shortly before John Cena and several other wrestling stars entertained the audience, with Foster proceeding to perform Australia’s national anthem, Advance Australia Fair, which received a singalong and widespread applause from the crowd.
Fans took to social media to express their anger over the booing, while also strongly criticizing the decision to play the American anthem Down Under in the first place.
‘If you hate USA leave or dont ask for our help,’ one commenter wrote on X.
‘As they took out loans for tickets to see an American product. The self-awareness is lacking on Criminal Island,’ another commented, referring to Australia’s history as a convict colony.
Pictured: Sophie Foster performs the Star-Spangled Banner at the WWE Crown Jewel event in Perth, where the anthem was met with loud booing by Australian fans.
Pictured: Some of the reactions from angry American fans who lashed out online
‘Well, they can boo all they want… doesn’t change the fact America is 1000000% better than Australia,’ wrote a third.
‘Sickening for the WWE fans in Australia (who are some of the most restricted “free” people in the world) to BOO the GREAT AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM. WWE should go on a multi-year hiatus from touring there,’ another fan complained.
‘They [the WWE] shouldn’t go back. Only go to countries that like us. We have a lot in common with Australia. It doesn’t make sense,’ added another.
And an Australian fan chimed in with, ‘As an Aussie, that’s embarrassing. Generally speaking, before international matches, our crowds are respectful of the opponent and their national anthem. For whatever reason, this wrestling crowd went the other way. Disappointing to say the least given the USA are an important ally for us.’
However, many commenters felt the Star-Spangled Banner was out of place at the event.
‘Lmao why’s there a U.S. national anthem in Australia in the first place,’ one said.
‘Had it been a US Olympian winning gold in Brisbane 2032 then yeah no worries but for it to be done at a WWE event in Australia is silly. When the NRL went to America earlier this year Americans cheered their anthem but as soon as the Aussie one started they all went dead quiet,’ another commented.
‘I’m not anti American by any means but it seems weird to me that they start a show in a foreign country with their national anthem,’ another said.
‘Yeah the booing might come across as disrespectful on face value, however keep in mind the environment – a wrestling ‘show’ where crowd participation is encouraged in the form of ‘cheers’ and ‘boos’. Don’t dig too deep, no harm or disrespect was intended. Just a bit of fun,’ another fan wrote.
The booing took place just before stars like John Cena (pictured, top) wowed the crowd on Saturday night, local time
Australia’s Rhea Ripley (right) is pictured in action against Kairi Sane in Perth
West Australian Premier Roger Cook lashed out at the booing fans after the event.
‘It is not alright, it is never alright, to comment or make noises negatively about another country,’ he said.
Australian WWE star Grayson Waller said the crowd booed because it’s trendy to insult the American anthem at the moment.
‘It’s just, like, an in thing right now to boo the US national anthem,’ he told the West Australian.
‘It didn’t mean anything. People are making it bigger than it is.
‘It was just a situation where it was cool to boo the anthem at the time.
‘I’m just more proud that I got to hear the Australian national anthem at a WWE show.’
