WWE remembers 9/11/2001

September 11, 2001. The day that changed everything – our perceptions, our priorities, even the way we travel our world.

A decade later, the United States will rightly reflect on the tragedy of that day and remember the lives lost. For many, 9/11 is more than an event, it’s a seminal moment in history, a turning point that has forever altered our collective psyche.

In the chaotic and terrifying days following 9/11, WWE SmackDown was the first public assembly of its size, taking place live from Houston on Sept. 13, 2001. It proved to be a gathering not only in defiance of terrorism but also a reminder that the United States and its citizens remain resilient. The following WWE employees offered their reflections on the events of that day and the days to follow.

Booker T, current trainer on “WWE Tough Enough”: “Of course it was a trying time after the towers went down. It was a somber moment for the United States. SmackDown was actually canceled or postponed, and then the big decision was made to go on, and I think it was one of the best decisions WWE ever made. It gave not just us performers a chance to escape for a minute but also the fans. It was all about the U.S. that night. It let everybody know that we’re going to go on, America is still going to be strong, no matter what.”

Harvey Wippleman, former Superstar and current WWE employee: “We were all happy to be there to stand up for the country. We were all nervous. We didn’t know what our future held. Were we ever going to be able to fly again? For some of the Superstars and staff who were from the New York area, I’m sure they had some very sad moments wondering if their family was OK. We were just like ‘God Bless America.’”

Sheamus, WWE Superstar: “I remember it was around two in the afternoon in Ireland. I was working for an American company at the time. We all went into a big conference room and watched the TV in shock and horror as we saw the first building on fire and watched live as the second plane struck. I can’t really describe the feeling – one of shock and fear. You’ve got to try and do whatever you can to help people get over a tragedy like that, take their minds off it. If we [Superstars] can help people take their minds off it for a couple of hours, that’s a responsibility we have.”

Brooklyn Brawler, former Superstar and current WWE employee: “9/11 hit very close to home for me because a lot of my friends had friends who were killed on 9/11. Having the show on just after 9/11 showed [the terrorists] that they could knock us down, but we’re going to get up again. All I can say is, [the terrorists] didn’t accomplish what they wanted to accomplish. We’re still free.”

Matt Striker, host of “WWE NXT”: “My father and I were sitting on the couch [watching SmackDown], and I remember it was one of the first times I saw the human side of a lot of my favorites Superstars. I remember seeing – and he won’t like this – but I remember seeing Mr. McMahon cry. As impactful as that was, when I looked over, I saw my dad was crying, too. That’s when it all really hit me. I think WWE embodied the spirit and the message that the U.S. sent the world, that we will not back down, and we will not close up shop.”

Bill DeMott, current trainer on “WWE Tough Enough”: “I was getting ready to go to the arena. I saw the first plane hit on TV when I woke up and thought it was a movie. There was guys consoling other guys, making sure families were OK. The saving grace – it sounds corny – but the saving grace of the tragedy was we were with the people you spend most of your time and life with. That was your family, not your immediate family, but you were with family trying to figure it out together.

If I understand the story right, it was brought to Vince McMahon and the WWE that [government officials] thought the best thing for the country was to take their mind off it. You know that old saying, The Show Must Go On. I can’t speak for the McMahons, but I think it was a hard decision to look their people in the eyes and say, “We’re staying, and we’re gonna do what we came here to do.” And I don’t think anybody thought, “These guys are out of their minds.” If anybody can take the country’s mind off of what’s going on, it’s us. As a collective decision, it was awesome. I have a brother who’s a firefighter in New Jersey, he still doesn’t talk about The Towers and what he saw to this day. As a group, when we got on that stage that night, it was emotional.

After that, when we got on a flight, people looked at us differently. They knew, you see a bunch of big men and goofy looking characters from TV. If we were on their flight, they knew they were safe. One of my favorite photos, it’s up in my den, it’s that group shot of everyone on stage holding up their American flags. We weren’t holding them up for the show, we were holding them up for the country.”

Michael “P.S.” Hayes, former Superstar and current WWE employee: “Did we have concerns and apprehensions [on the post-9/11 SmackDown]? Yes, but by God, we were so mad, so angry, we were gonna get back to business. While everybody was nervous backstage, hoping nothing catastrophic would happen, the feeling of unity and patriotism was overwhelming. I just remember how proud everyone was to be a part of this show, starting with the boss, Vince McMahon. It was time to give America back to America.”