XFL known as X-treme Failure

by Vince DeFruscio assistant news editor

After only one season of play, Vince McMahon's football creation, the XFL folded in May of 2001 after suffering $36.2 million dollars in losses after tax charges.

The XFL was toted as not being for "pantywaists or sissies," by McMahon. Shareholders in World WrestlingFederation Entertainment, the parent company of the XFL lost 28 cents per share in the companies stock. Fourth quarter losses for WWFE were in excess of $20.4 million dollars.

The XFL enjoyed record-setting ratings during their first week of play, shortly after the NFLs sea- son ended with the Super Bowl. Over 10 percent of American households had tuned in to witness a player named "He Hate Me" (Rod Smart, now with the Philadelphia Eagles) and his Las Vegas Outlaws beat the New YorkNew Jersey Hitmen 9-0.

McMahon and Dick Ebersol, Chairman of NBC Sports, were both quick to gloat over the instant success of the league, which was thrown together in under a year. That success didn't last long, as ratings steadily dwindled down throughout the two month season of play.

McMahon retooled his product several different times before finally deciding to "discontinue" the XFL in the ''best interest of our shareholders and our partners."

The XFL tried many gimmicks during its only season, including allowing cameras into the cheerleaders locker rooms. They also instituted dizzying camera angles and omnipresent microphones that picked up sounds all around the field.

McMahon assembled a cast of commentators plucked from within the World Wrestling Federation, including former Atlanta Falcon commentator, Jim Ross. He also added Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura to the booth. Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus was also involved in commentating