One of WWE’s greatest entertainment claims to fame is being the first sports-entertainment event (or large gathering of people, really) to happen after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. It began with a speech from Vince McMahon and one of the most emotionally stirring performances of the Star-Spangled Banner ever. Thirteen years later it still kinda gets to me.
We’ve moved so far beyond how we felt on 9/11 and the weeks and months after it that it’s impossible to get back, but it’s important to go back and remember sometimes, even if it’s just for the opening of a Smackdown.
