Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Confirms The XFL Will Return in Spring 2022

Written by Liam Stewart • Published 4th November 2020
2000's photo of fan at XFL match holding sign stating

In early August, 2020, an investor group including WWE legend Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson agreed 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 is, of course, not the first time McMahon has had to admit defeat with the XFL. Famously in 2001, following the first league championship final game (which Los Angeles Xtreme won over San Francisco Demons), the league folded netting both NBC and the WWF a $35 million dollar loss on their initial $100 million dollar investments.

Today on social media, Dwayne Johnson announced the return date for the XFL as Spring 2022, in an announcement video that acknowledged the uphill battle and previous failures of the brand but also restating the purpose and ideology behind the XFL:

“A league of culture, passion and purpose.”

Since the leagues dissolution earlier this year several notable players have gone on to join the NFL. Talent such as QBs P.J Walker and Jordan Ta’amu, now plying their trade at Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs respectively.

Although the XFL has a troubled past, the future for the league looks promising. The first week of the relaunched product earlier this year had an average of 3.12 million viewers over the four games and despite a drop off week two held it’s own with an average of around 2.2 million viewers.

The XFL is set to return Spring of 2022, full coverage of any and all major news relating to the XFL will be available on site at ITRWrestling.com