In early August 2020, an investor group including WWE legend Dwayne Johnson agreed on terms to purchase American Football league the XFL for an estimated 15 million dollars from Alpha Entertainment LLC owned by WWE chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon.
The purchase followed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy announcement in April of the same year, as a result of league suspension due to COVID-19 complications.
This was already the second attempt at establishing the league, with the XFL originally launching back in 2001, only to be closed after one season due to huge financial losses.
Fast forward to February 18th, 2022 and the XFL is back.
Posting on social media following the final game of the weekend, Johnson said that it was a weekend that he’ll never forget.
How Did Dwayne Johnson’s XFL Measure Up?
The XFL features eight teams, split into North and South divisions. The top two teams at the end of the 10-week season will advance to the postseason, with two semi-finals leading to a championship game.
Back in February 2022, XFL President Russ Brando announced that the league had reached a deal with the NFL that would see them act as a “petri-dish” for the more established league. During its first incarnation in 2001, the XFL was praised for a number of innovations that eventually made their way to the NFL.
On the opening weekend, fans were quick to praise the league’s video review system, calling for it to be adopted by the NFL.
XFL Results – Week One
- Arlington Renegades 22-20 Vegas Vipers
- Houston Roughnecks 33-12 Orlando Guardians
- St Louis Battlehawks 18-15 San Antonio Brahmas
- D.C Defenders 22-18 Seattle Sea Dragons