H Jenkins on March 1, 2025
WWE Elimination Chamber kicked off at the Rogers Centre in Toronto with a moment that instantly grabbed attention—but not for the reasons WWE may have expected.
Canadian singer-songwriter Elizabeth Irving was given the task of opening the show with The Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada, but the crowd’s reaction couldn’t have been more different. The moment Irving started singing the U.S. national anthem, loud boos echoed throughout the arena. However, as soon as she transitioned into O Canada, the energy shifted, and the entire crowd erupted in cheers, proudly singing along.
Following the performance, chants of “Canada!” broke out across the Rogers Centre, further emphasizing the crowd’s overwhelming home-country pride. But not everyone ignored the reaction—Pat McAfee made sure to call it out on commentary, pointing out how the Toronto crowd didn’t hold back their feelings during the anthem.
While some chalked it up to passionate Canadian fans supporting their own, others speculated that the reaction may have had deeper roots. With tensions always present in international relations, some believe outside factors may have influenced the loud rejection of the American anthem.
Regardless of the reason, the night was only getting started, and the energy inside the Rogers Centre was already through the roof.
What’s your take on the Star Spangled Banner getting booed in Canada? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
March 1, 2025 7:09 pm
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