The XFL was first introduced back in 2001 as an alternative to the NFL. Created by Vince McMahon, the XFL (Xtreme Football League) lasted for only one season before its cancelation. The original league consisted of eight teams: Eastern Division Birmingham Thunderbolts, Chicago Enforcers, New York/New Jersey Hitmen, Orlando Rage. Western Division: Las Vegas Outlaws, Los Angeles Xtreme, Memphis Maniax, San Francisco Demons. The league at the time was criticized for being boring, other critics question if the XFL used the same type of predetermined storytelling as the WWF, and it is viewed as one of the biggest disasters in WWE history.
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Rumors started back in 2017 that WWE was planning to bring the league back. The rumors started after the NFL was criticized over kneeling players and other controversies. According to rumors, Vince McMahon saw current events as an opportunity to bring back the XFL as a ‘traditional’ alternative to the NFL. According to reports, Vince McMahon was starting a shell corporation with his own money to protect WWE shareholders on a potential XFL revival.
On January 25, 2018, Alpha Entertainment announced a new incarnation of the XFL to begin the season in 2020. Commercials for the XFL started to air for live audiences before officially appearing on broadcast television. On February 8, the first games aired, with a planned ten-week season. However, after five weeks, the season was put on halt after the outbreak of the Coronavirus. The players were still getting paid with the hope that the season would pick right back after the outbreak ended. However, after the financial impact that WWE took after almost canceling their biggest event of the year Wrestlemania, it was announced that instead of halting the season, the XFL would officially get canceled, with no plans to return in 2021.
Unlike the first iteration of the league, XFL 2020 received positive reviews. Viewership for the first games were mildly high, with the viewership decreasing as the weeks continued. Despite the decline in viewership, it is not clear if the XFL was going to fail. However, with the impact that canceling Wrestlemania had on WWE, it was not worth it to keep the league going. This move also left every player without a source of income.
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed wide receiver Saeed Blacknall. Blacknall was formerly employed by the XFL.
We have signed WR Saeed Blacknall.@BordasLaw TRANSACTION: https://t.co/C7nBDVxHK8 pic.twitter.com/17u0Dh4asl
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 13, 2020
The legacy of the XFL will always be seen as one of failure. The original incarnation, despite the height of the WWF at the time, could not last more than one season. As for the latest incarnation, the league was shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak. While it is good to see some players getting picked up by the NFL, the latest failure of the XFL is another example of the times that we are living.