It’s been 25 years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, a day etched in the memories of many who recall where they were when they witnessed the attacks on the World Trade Center. In the wake of the tragedy, the United States grappled with shock and fear, yet just two days later, WWE took a stand by holding the September 13 episode of “WWE SmackDown” in Houston, Texas. This marked the first large-scale public event in the country since that day. On that night, numerous WWE Superstars delivered heartfelt promos, including WWE Hall of Famer JBL. He recently reflected on that “SmackDown” episode during his appearance on the “Something To Wrestle” podcast, sharing that he had initially been watching the events unfold from a hotel room and that the original taping was canceled. However, Vince McMahon insisted on moving forward with the show to unite the nation, emphasizing that participation was optional but the goal was to do something meaningful for America.
According to JBL, everyone in WWE understood that while they couldn’t fight back physically, they could provide a sense of hope and entertainment during a difficult time while demonstrating the enduring strength of the nation. He described the event as a collective show of support, saying, “From my perspective and from the perspective of everybody I talked to, that was our way of saying ‘We’re behind you America,'” despite uncertainty over attendance.
An Emotional Night for All
Among the many impactful promos aired that night, one moment stood out as truly unforgettable. The entire WWE roster assembled on the entrance ramp as the sold-out crowd rose to their feet, and ring announcer Lilian Garcia performed the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” JBL compared Garcia’s performance to Whitney Houston’s iconic rendition, saying he would never forget the profound experience. He recalled, “The entire crowd, I mean people were chanting USA, people were crying, people had their flags, it was an unbelievable moment to be a part of. I hate to say proud because it was a terrible event and a terrible week, but I’m proud that we were able to do something.”
JBL also revealed how he reached out to WWE’s headquarters asking how he could assist and requested permission to visit Ground Zero to support firefighters and first responders. Vince McMahon approved and arranged for the entire WWE roster to make the trip—especially after an NBA team initially scheduled to go withdrew due to anthrax concerns at the site. Once the threat was ruled out, JBL and fellow WWE members traveled to Ground Zero to express their gratitude and lend support. Reflecting on that time, JBL expressed gratitude for being part of the first large public gathering post-9/11 and for personally thanking the heroes on the ground.
Please credit “Something To Wrestle” when using quotes from this article, and H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Fan Take: This moment highlights how wrestling, often seen as pure entertainment, can serve as a powerful platform for unity and healing during national crises. For fighting sports fans, it’s a reminder that the community’s strength goes beyond the ring—showing resilience and solidarity can inspire both athletes and fans in times of hardship.
Source: www.wrestlinginc.com
