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With the 2022 NFL season finally wrapped up after the conclusion of the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVII, people are already looking for their next football fix. The XFL is coming back just in time.
Superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has brought XFL back this year, after the league had not just one but two collapses since it was initially founded in 2001 by WWF head Vince McMahon.
The new version of the XFL kicks off on Saturday, February 18th. The league consists of eight teams: Seattle, DC, St. Louis, Vegas, Arlington, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando.
Thank you @Chiefs & @Eagles for that phenomenal game!
Huge congrats to KC – #SuperBowl champions! Football doesn’t end as we kick off our @XFL2023 season next week
League of grit and hunger and I can’t wait to maybe see one of our XFL players live that @NFL Super Bowl dream too🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/DhjasaLpRx— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 13, 2023
Familiar Names From The NFL
NFL fans will recognize some of the names on those XFL rosters, including former Browns star receiver Josh Gordon and former Falcons 1st round pick and Sack leader Vic Beasley.
.@TheRock new XFL league will include former NFL players such as:
Former #Browns WR Josh Gordon
Former #Bengals QB AJ McCarron
Former #Falcons DE Vic Beasley
Former #Broncos QB Paxton Lynch
Former #Steelers WR Martavis Bryant
Former #Cowboys QB Ben DiNucci pic.twitter.com/TCyiBMsUVI— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 10, 2023
XFL Highlights
While the original XFL didn’t last long, it did provide some amazing moments, such as “I still have a pulse, let’s play football!”
I still have a pulse… pic.twitter.com/YCleuOEyC1
— Jeff Brohm (@JeffBrohm) January 25, 2018
And the unforgettable “He Hate me.”
DEAR @XFL2023
Please bring back Nick Name jerseys. Even if it's only for one week.
There are still people trying to find a "HE HATE ME" jersey.
-Signed
The Football Fans(Come on big cuz @TheRock ) #xfl #xfl2023 pic.twitter.com/i1gNLmbnAB
— The People's Choice #heelturn (@DangersVoice_) January 5, 2023
Background
Despite a strong early going in 2001, the league suffered poor ratings which ultimately lead to the original league folding after only one season.
The XFL returned in 2020, but had to be shutdown again, this time after only five weeks, due to COVID-19. That version of the XFL filed for bankruptcy and ended getting sold.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joined a group that bought the XFL out of bankruptcy for $15 million.
How You Can Watch
The XFL games will be aired on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. WIth each game also streaming on ESPN+.