10 Times You Were Proud To Be A WWE Fan

3. SmackDown: An Tribute To America (September 13, 2001)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4NFIBaHnl4 The tragedy of the September 11 terrorist attacks shook the entire United States to its core. Not since the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor had an enemy carried out such a calculated and devastating attack on the homeland. Still rattled from the visceral images and heart-breaking news reports, the men and women of World Wrestling Entertainment made the decision that the show must go on, that the only way to help America live their lives was to present a special live episode of SmackDown on UPN. The first public gathering of its size since the attacks two days earlier, fans and wrestlers alike paid tribute to the country with a night of action and reflection. Vince McMahon stood in the center of the ring, delivered an impassioned speech the likes of which are typically reserved for the nation€™s leaders and then did his best to present a show that momentarily put smiles on faces and gave viewers a reprieve from the sadness and despair that were felt in the wake of the tragedy. As a young fan of 14, this writer felt a great sense of relief when it was revealed that WWE would present SmackDown on September 13. After days of watching the same coverage nonstop, across every network and cable television channel, it was nice to have a reprieve. That there were so many men and women that I had looked up to, idolized even, were as clearly shaken as I was helped me feel less alone and, in the process, assisted the healing process.