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On this date in WWF history: Smackdown! becomes the first public assembly of its size held in the wake of 9/11

On September 13, 2011, just two days after the tragedy in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., World Wrestling Federation (WWF) held the first public assembly of its kind with a live edition of Smackdown! in Houston, Texas.

It is not my intention to turn this post into some sort of half-assed eulogy for the people who perished on 9/11, but I applaud Vince for his "show must go on" attitude, which at the time, brought him considerable heat from a nation in mourning.

While I'm not naive enough to believe this wasn't an opportunistic promoter seizing the moment, I'm also not cynical enough to believe Vince McMahon's tear curtain-jerking speech wasn't authentic and from the heart.

Two of my favorite segments from this date in WWF history, after the jump.

Any Cagesiders out there remember this broadcast?

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