On Thursday afternoon, WWE Chairman-CEO Vince McMahon announced the relaunch of the XFL, his short-lived football league which was last seen in 2001, and the subject of a ESPN 30 For 30 documentary last year.
Seemingly learning from the mistakes he made 17 years ago, McMahon has decided to keep the WWE & XFL separate this time. No crossovers, meaning you won't see Jerry Lawler, Jesse Ventura, or Jim Ross in the booth, although two of the three had experience as football announcers prior to 2001. No cheerleaders, which might be a mistake unto itself, and McMahon is even throwing out the idea of no halftime, in order to get the games to a 2 hour time frame that he has suggested.
Otherwise, the structure remains the same. 8 teams. 10 week regular season. Top 4 teams advance to the playoffs. Maximum 13 week schedule. One important caveat is that there will be no players with arrest records, not even a DUI on their record, on any of the rosters. Yes, it again is meant to be an alternative to the NFL, and the goal is to relaunch the league in 2020, right before the Super Bowl.
That itself might not be a good idea, and by the time 2020 rolls around, McMahon will be 74, and have probably forgotten and have been reminded a zillion times over in order to stay on point.
Now, let's listen to what he had to say on Thursday:
Of course, the media weighed in. We'll start with Michael Kay on the Yes Network. Peter Rosenberg, one of Kay's co-hosts, is also on the WWE payroll.
TMZ Sports interviewed ex-WWE & ESPN commentator Jonathan Coachman, who said he won't be a part of XFL 2.0, which goes back to what I noted above. Announcer Matt Vasgersian may not be available, either, as busy as he is these days, but then, if WWE bolts USA Network again next year when their current contract runs out, and takes Fox's money, that may change.
Do I think this will work the 2nd time around? No. Given McMahon's age and history with non-WWE projects works against him here, I'd say it's another one and done. It wouldn't hurt to try, but don't say I didn't warn you.
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