XFL Return Date Video Released Featuring The Rock
With many sports seeing their seasons halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the XFL appeared it was done after a reboot. However, a big purchase ahead of bankruptcy by Dwayne Johnson and partners seems to have kept it afloat. Now fans are learning when it will be back. An XFL return date video has been revealed featuring Dwayne The Rock Johnson announcing when fans can expect their brand of football.
The Rock narrates XFL return date video
A new XFL trailer arrived on Thursday, October 1 featuring two of the league’s proud new owners. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and business partner Dany Garcia each exchange parts of the narration. In the video, they hype up the return of the league, letting fans know what to expect.
“To build a league of culture, passion, and purpose…Our work is cut out for us, but we wouldn’t have it any other way,” Johnson says in part of the video.
“For stories untold, for potentials unrealized, we are hungry, we are humble,” Johnson and Garcia said, exchanging lines as narrators.
“The XFL is back, back for the love…of football,” Johnson and Garcia say in another exchange of words to close things out.
That’s followed by the XFL logo appearing on-screen with an XFL return date. The words “Kicking off 2022” and “For the Love of Football” also appear.
The date pushes the league’s return past 2021, presumably to give more time for Johnson, Garcia, and others associated with the XFL to plan things out. The coronavirus pandemic, could reportedly last into mid-to-late 2021 before a vaccine is available and the infection rate is reduced considerably.
With recent news of members of the Tennessee Titans team testing positive for COVID-19 and postponing an NFL game with the Steelers, it appears health and safety are a major part of the XFL’s return.
Johnson, Garcia rescued XFL before bankruptcy
The league made its big return under the ownership of WWE head honcho Vince McMahon in 2020. Despite getting a number of games in, it eventually became a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic. Professional sports began to shut down or postpone their schedules. The XFL ended their reboot prematurely and without a champion. From there, employees were let go and it appeared the league may cease to exist.
However, August 2 brought the surprise news that former WWE star and current Hollywood box office draw, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, was part of a group of buyers who chose to purchase the league. He was joined by ex-wife and longtime business partner Dany Garcia. They paid just $15 million with Gerry Cardinal’s RedBird Capital also involved in the purchase.
The Rock has since posted a number of times on his Instagram or other social media to let fans know he’s devoted to bringing XFL football back in a way they’ll enjoy.
The XFL 2020 league featured two conferences with four teams apiece. The XFL’s West Division included the Dallas Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, Los Angeles Wildcats, and Seattle Dragons. In the East Division, it was the DC Defenders, New York Guardians, St. Louis BattleHawks, and Tampa Bay Vipers.
It’s unknown if there are plans to add expansion teams to the mix. However, with a year before the XFL return date, one has to wonder what changes, subtractions, and additions The Rock and company have in store.
Either way, many dedicated fans are likely to welcome the league back, after a bit of a wait.
