• ON THIS DAY IN WWF HISTORY (April 19, 2001) – WWF SmackDown!
On this day in 2001, the World Wrestling Federation aired an episode of their weekly TV show ‘WWF SmackDown!’.
It was broadcasted from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee and featured pre-taped matches & storyline segments on the road to the ‘WWF Backlash 2001’ PPV.
Here’s the card:
1. WWF Hardcore Title: Kane vs. Rhyno
2. Bradshaw, Faarooq, Funaki & TAKA Michinoku vs. Right To Censor
3. WWF European Title: Eddie Guerrero vs. Brian Christopher
4. Tables Match: Dudley Boyz vs. Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit
5. WWF Women’s Title: Chyna vs. Molly Holly
6. WWF Tag Team Titles – No DQ: Edge & Christian vs. The Undertaker & Kane
• Stone Cold Steve Austin Issues Statement On Howard Finkel’s Death
WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin issued the following statement on the death of “The Fink” Howard Finkel on Instagram:
“Howard Finkel and myself at MSG in New York and in Houston where we were both inducted into the 2009 WWE Hall Of Fame class. As you can see in the second picture it was a very strong class. Legendary.
I always told Howard I knew I had arrived in the Big League when he announced my name as I made my way to the ring in Madison Square Garden. I had been a fan of his for many years prior to my arrival in WWE.
Howard had a class and dignity about him when he was doing his job. His booming voice and credibility helped myself and countless others find an identity in each of our own personal wrestling journeys.
I was caught off guard when I saw him for the last time at MSG. Clearly, he was not doing well. As we passed by each other on our way out I told him I loved him. Everybody loved Howard. And that’s the bottom line.
Thanks to J for the picture.”
Also Read: Chris Jericho & Roman Reigns React To Howard Finkel’s Death