Current:Home > FinanceWWE apologizes for using image of Auschwitz concentration camp in a promo video -Intelligent Capital Compass
WWE apologizes for using image of Auschwitz concentration camp in a promo video
Chainkeen View
Date:2025-04-10 10:01:29
The wrestling entertainment giant WWE has apologized for its use of an image of the Auschwitz concentration camp to promote a match.
The image appeared in a five-minute video introducing a WrestleMania 39 contest between stars Dominik and Rey Mysterio. The shot, which appeared in the pre-show last weekend ahead of the live broadcast this past Saturday, was used as b-roll accompanying Dominik's comments about being a hardened criminal.
WWE drew backlash after fans recognized the image as a photo of the concentration camp located in Oświęcim, Poland.
"We had no knowledge of what was depicted. As soon as we learned, it was removed immediately. We apologize for this error," the WWE said in a statement to NPR on Sunday.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was built by Germans in occupied Poland in 1940 and quickly became one of World War II's largest extermination centers. More than 1.1 million men, women and children were murdered at Auschwitz before the camp was liberated in 1945.
Two days before the apology was issued, the Auschwitz Memorial called the WWE "shameless" in a statement on Twitter.
"The fact that [an] Auschwitz image was used to promote a WWE match is hard to call 'an editing mistake,' " the museum wrote. "Exploiting the site that became a symbol of enormous human tragedy is shameless and insults the memory of all victims of Auschwitz."
The shot of the Polish museum appeared to have been removed from an otherwise identical version during the official broadcast, according to WWE blogs and fans. It does not appear in replays of WrestleMania Night 1, replaced by generic footage of barbed wire and an empty, unidentifiable jail cell.
The WWE storyline goes that Dominik turned against his father, the WWE Hall-of-Famer Rey, after being influenced by Judgement Day, a villainous stable of wrestlers.
After a failed attempt to entice his father to a fight, Dominik landed in jail, which only added to the tough-guy persona he uses to mask his true spoiled-brat essence. (Dominik arrived at the mat on Saturday in a cop van. His father was chauffeured by Snoop Dogg in a lowrider.)
The storyline was one of several hits for WrestleMania fans. The show delivered its exclusive streamer, NBC's Peacock, most hours watched of any live event except the Super Bowl.
The in-person event also made history, setting an attendance record at SoFi Stadium. WWE sold over 161,000 tickets for two nights of matches.
Fans took to social media during the broadcast to confirm their suspicions about the Auschwitz stock footage.
"100% Auschwitz. Went there last year. Can never forget it," one Reddit user wrote. "Hoo boy, to be a fly on the wall in the next production meeting," came another reply.
veryGood! (39698)
Related
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Alabama coaches don’t want players watching film on tablets out of fear of sign stealing
- In 2023 fentanyl overdoses ravaged the U.S. and fueled a new culture war fight
- Powerball grows to $760 million ahead of the Dec. 27 drawing. See winning numbers
- British golfer Charley Hull blames injury, not lack of cigarettes, for poor Olympic start
- Indonesia’s navy pushes a boat suspected of carrying Rohingya refugees out of its waters
- Fox News Mourns Deaths of Colleagues Matt Napolitano and Adam Petlin
- School bus camera captures reckless truck driver in Minnesota nearly hit children
- Messi injury update: Ankle 'better every day' but Inter Miami star yet to play Leagues Cup
- Ex-gang leader’s own words are strong evidence to deny bail in Tupac Shakur killing, prosecutors say
Ranking
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Two teenagers shot and killed Wednesday in Lynn, Massachusetts
- Stigma against gay men could worsen Congo’s biggest mpox outbreak, scientists warn
- The Most-Shopped Celeb Picks in 2023— Shay Mitchell, Oprah Winfrey, Kendall Jenner, Sofia Richie & More
- Olympic men's basketball bracket: Results of the 5x5 tournament
- NYC, long a sanctuary city, will restrict buses carrying migrants from Texas
- In 2023 fentanyl overdoses ravaged the U.S. and fueled a new culture war fight
- Bills player Von Miller calls domestic abuse allegations made against him ‘100% false’
Recommendation
Illinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting
We Dare You Not to Get Baby Fever Looking at All of These Adorable 2023 Celebrity Babies
Wisconsin university chancellor says he was fired for producing and appearing in porn videos
These Coach Bags Are Up To $300 Off & Totally Worth Spending Your Gift Card On
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun found dead in South Korea, officials say
How to split screen in Mac: Multitask and amp productivity with this easy hack.
We Dare You Not to Get Baby Fever Looking at All of These Adorable 2023 Celebrity Babies