JBL has reflected on WWE’s decision to hold an episode of SmackDown just two days after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
WWE staged the September 13 episode in Houston, Texas, after the attacks on the United States postponed its originally scheduled Tuesday taping. The event became one of the first major public gatherings in the country following 9/11, with WWE presenting a tribute show that included wrestlers addressing the audience throughout the night.
Speaking on Something to Wrestle, JBL recalled watching the attacks unfold from his hotel room and explained how Vince McMahon ultimately decided the company should go ahead with the rescheduled show. According to JBL, however, McMahon made it clear that nobody was obligated to participate.
“Vince made it very clear nobody has to be here, nobody has to be a part of the show, you know?” he said. “What we’re going to do is we’re going to do something for America.”
JBL Recalls WWE’s 9/11 Tribute SmackDown
JBL said WWE talent understood there was little they could personally do in response to what had happened, but felt putting on a show provided an opportunity to support those watching and demonstrate the country’s resilience.
“From my perspective and from the perspective of everybody I talked to, that was our way of saying ‘We’re behind you America,’ and that’s all it was,” he said. “We want to do something that we believe in. We didn’t know if no one would show up or if the place would be packed, we had no idea.”
The September 13, 2001 episode featured numerous WWE wrestlers delivering messages about the attacks, including JBL. The show took place at Houston’s Compaq Center and marked WWE’s return to television following the cancellation of its originally scheduled SmackDown taping two days earlier.
