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Fanhouse article brought back some not so found memories of Vince McMahon's pet project. Some say the disaster helped end the wrestling boom because clearly, Vince's attentions to the wrestling side had to be hurting somewhat with him trying to get the league off the ground.
The league debuted ten years ago this week and although first week ratings were great on NBC, Spike and UPN....they declined every new week. Ultimately, NBC decided to pull the plug at the end of the first season and Vince had to come to terms that his idea failed. Could it have gone on and be something of a success? Possibly, but damn. It's remembered to this day as one of the all-time great failures for NBC and Vince even pokes fun at it when he gets a chance to.
What were your memories of the XFL?
Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Jesse Ventura, Jonathan Coachman each acted as color commentators for some of the games. Other names included Matt Vasgersian (MLB Network/MLB The Show), Mike Adamle (Americna Gladiators/WWE infamy), Dick Butkus, Bob Golic, Brian Bosworth, Chris Wragge (local news guy) and Craig Minervini (aka Craig DeGeorge of WWE fame).
The introduction of the sky cam which the NFL took.
No coin tosses. Instead, they had two players run 20-yards to get the ball at the 50-yard line. Player who gained possession gave their team the option of receiving or deferring. Ironically, the first week saw one of the players involved separate his shoulder, missing the rest of the season (the players had no health insurance...although I have to think injuries on the field were covered).
Tommy Maddox led the LA team to the championship (he led the league with a 62.6 completion percentage and 18 TDs).
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