09/13/2026
🗓️ ON THIS DAY IN WRESTLING HISTORY — SEPTEMBER 13, 2001
🇺🇸 25 years ago today, WWE made its return to television just two days after the tragic events of September 11.
The episode of SmackDown had originally been scheduled to be taped two days earlier, but the show was postponed following the attacks. Instead, WWE presented the episode live from the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas.
It became the first live televised sporting event in the United States following 9/11.
Vince McMahon addressed the crowd at the beginning of the broadcast, followed by Lilian Garcia performing the national anthem.
For one night, WWE's normal storylines took a backseat as the company recognized the incredibly difficult circumstances facing the country.
Still, the show went on.
💥 The Hardy Boyz defeated The Hurricane & Lance Storm.
💥 Rob Van Dam defeated Spike Dudley.
💥 Chris Jericho defeated Christian.
💥 The Rock defeated Shawn Stasiak in just three seconds.
💥 Booker T defeated The Big Show.
💥 Kurt Angle defeated Rhyno.
And after the televised broadcast, The Rock defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin by disqualification in a dark match.
It was much more than a typical episode of SmackDown.
It represented WWE's return to live television at a time when the entire country was still trying to process an unimaginable tragedy.
🇺🇸 September 13, 2001 — a night that remains an important part of WWE and American television history.
Do you remember watching this episode of SmackDown?
#911
