Chazz 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2005 I was just curious for some odd reason If anybody ever went to a game of Vince McMahon's short lived Football League, and If you enjoyed your experience? Even though It's been over 4 years, The XFL still remains my favorite Post NFL Alternative to satisfy my Football craving. I've tried The Arena Football League but I just can't get Into It. It's too bad about It tanking, because there was talk of actually bringing a team to my hometown of Pittsburgh,PA. Oh well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2005 The AFL had at least one Pittsburgh team, the Gladiators, when the league started. I think there was also another team that tried to exist here but failed (this one I'm not sure of). I didn't go to an XFL game because I was in Ohio at the time (now I'm back in Pittsburgh, or at least the suburbs of that shithole), but I always watched them on NBC and TNN (didn't get UPN at the time) and I enjoyed the games. Quite a few XFL'ers got jobs in the NFL afterward... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted February 26, 2005 The AFL is pretty fun shit. Go Avengers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2005 I've heard some people goof on the league, but how long has the AFL been in existence now?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MillenniumMan831 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2005 Has to be since around the late 1980s/early 1990s. I remember the Cleveland Thunderbolts used to play at the Richfield Coliseum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2005 I went to that Million Dollar Game in XFL (the title game where Tommy Maddox won for his team). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2005 Wasn't much of a game, and I didn't like the fact they had two teams from the same division play each other. Should have been an East v. West (or whatever the divisions were named) contest... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2005 Wasn't much of a game, and I didn't like the fact they had two teams from the same division play each other. Should have been an East v. West (or whatever the divisions were named) contest... It was best vs best. But I agree with you, it should have been East vs West. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2005 Problem was LA killed SF two or three weeks prior. I think Orlando would have been a better challenge to LA, but those bitches choked the week before. Oh, yeah. The Gladiators lost in the first AFL championship game. (How do I remember this shit?...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve J. Rogers 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2005 Has to be since around the late 1980s/early 1990s. I remember the Cleveland Thunderbolts used to play at the Richfield Coliseum. I wonder how much different the XFL would have been if they just shot for the Arena league at first. Nothing fancy (well in terms of gunning for the NFL) just trying to be better than the AFL All parties just gave up too quickly Though I love it when people try to remeber it as a "Failed TV Show" as opposed to a "Failed Sports League" such as TV Guide last year (or so) put it on the list of worse TV shows of all time. If that was the case, the failed "Baseball Network" from MLB was a far worse experiment than what the XFL tried to push. Heck "Monday Night Baseball" an ABC spinoff of "Monday Night Football" deserves listing Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted February 27, 2005 Since this year is Arena Bowl XIX, it's at least 19 years old. I've never been to an XFL game, but I enjoyed most of them on TV, except for the bits where McMahon tried mixing wrestling into it (storylines...bait and switches...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest eppeedancer Report post Posted February 28, 2005 trust me, in the right arena the AFL is just as exciting as WWE,TNA or UFC. DEpends on the home to. Albany had a AFL team (the Firebirds, they now have an equally good AFL2 team, the Conquest) and I saw many games back when I worked out there. The last game I managed to see live Kurt Warner scored an accross arena pass through a pile of six players in the last second to give Iowa a win and a playoff berth. Great game By The Way, XFL trademarks were re-registered by the WWE the other day so they might make another attempt. So: If anyone there will read this or send this to them heres a few suggestion. 1)Most football fans do not like wrestling so keep the wrestling tie ins to a mimimum 2)Dont change the rules on a weekly basis, this isnt sandlot league 3)People watch games, not cheerleaders so keep it to a minimum, this isnt the lingerie bowl. 4)Hire real football analysts and commentators. The king and JR hardly qualify and the rest were worse. 5)Sign on with fox, UPN, Spike, USA and other independaents for tv games. They have more flexibility (remember, some rule changes came about becuase Saturday night live was delayed 15 minutes becuase of the game). 6)As much as Vince hates to, he needs to strike a deal simular to the AFL deal with the NFL and work as a partner in player development. Lets face it, the best go to the NFL direct and the rest goes to NFL Europe, AFL,CFL and NIPFL so he shouldnt expect the best and should market it as hard hitting football by the players who really want to play instead of competing with players who already have the big paycheck. 7)If he wants to incorporate WWE into it (you know he will want to ) the best way is have a ring which can travel and put on a free (write it off as a promotional expense) set of matches after atleast one home game per team. That will draw people who like both and might get some converts to the WWE. 8)promote more than on the WWE shows. I dont even remember that much promotion of the leage on NBC and they were a partner. 9)get communities involved. pledge ticket donations, get players to visit hospitals, etc. It gets the name out there, thats why the AFL really got a fire built under them. 10)atmosphere, treat each game before and after like a major event. Run special promos and firework nights, and tail gate family safe parties before them game. In albany which is our state capital, they shut everthing down around the arena and hold massive block parties. You get some local bars and the biggest radio station and the biggest tv station in town and use them to consponser it the first year and then after that ween yourself out. once a tradition starts, sponser will come running if they see lots of potential customers. 11)get rid of the scramble. Yeah, its unique but it comes down to usually the fast gets it and thats it. If you dont want a kick off, do a scrum like rugby or do a throw down like Austratilian Rules Football. Trust me, it would improve the image if you want to go along the lines of hard core. 12) dont run out after the first season. some times a leage loses money the first couple of seasons. you cant bolt, you gotta hang tough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2005 The last game I managed to see live Kurt Warner scored an accross arena pass through a pile of six players in the last second to give Iowa a win and a playoff berth. Yeah but what's that, like 80 feet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2005 The last game I managed to see live Kurt Warner scored an accross arena pass through a pile of six players in the last second to give Iowa a win and a playoff berth. Yeah but what's that, like 80 feet? Right. It's harder this way. It's practically a jumpball. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted February 28, 2005 Yup, it's basically how Warner said he was able to handle the speed of the game in the NFL and greatly imrpvoed his accuracy when he got there. Might also explain why the Rams happened to be the "Greatest Show on Turf" but quite average on natural grass.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2005 I went to the last Hitmen game at Giants Stadium. Second row seats on the corner of the endzone, a $25 ticket. Had a pretty good time with some friends, and was spotted on camera Place was barely 1/4 full. (If you didn't know, Giants Stadium holds about 75,000 people) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2005 What were the differences in rules between the XFL and NFL? And I suppose the players weren't as talented as the NFL at all were they? Oh and what the hell was the wrestling tie in? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ISportsFan 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2005 I went to the Chicago team's home opener. The problem was that the home opener wasn't until week 4, so much of the league's luster was gone by then. But, the crowd was still, I would guess, 35,000 in Soldier Field that day. The biggest problem the league had was week 1, in my opinion, when they had a dud of a game. Week 2's game in LA with Chicago v. LA was a phenominal, close game. It wasn't the best in terms of talent (obviously, since it's a secondary pro league), but it was really exciting, had some huge hits, and went into double overtime. If week 1 had a great game then the league might have been in better shape. If I remember correctly, the Chicago/Orlando game in week 1 with JR and the King commentating was shown in its entirety in 0% of the United States. Unfortunately for Vince, it was a good, close game (if I remember correctly). The Las Vegas game that was shown to everyone in the country with Vasgersian and Ventura commentating sucked, seemed long, and had no real energy. Jason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2005 The last game I managed to see live Kurt Warner scored an accross arena pass through a pile of six players in the last second to give Iowa a win and a playoff berth. Yeah but what's that, like 80 feet? Right. It's harder this way. It's practically a jumpball. My point is that arena football is stupid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest eppeedancer Report post Posted March 1, 2005 Arena you either love or hate, there is no middle ground and consider this , an almost across the arena pin point pass (this wasnt a jump ball like someone else put it) through 6 guys on a smaller field is alot harder than on a larger, wider field where people can spread out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 If I remember correctly, the Chicago/Orlando game in week 1 with JR and the King commentating was shown in its entirety in 0% of the United States. I think it was being aired in the markets of the two teams that were playing. Let me see if I can remember all the teams... LA Xtreme SF Demons LV Outlaws Chicago Enforcers New York Hitmen Memphis Maniax Birmingham Bolts Orlando something-or-other Did I miss any?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 Orlando something-or-other RAGE~! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ISportsFan 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 If I remember correctly, the Chicago/Orlando game in week 1 with JR and the King commentating was shown in its entirety in 0% of the United States. I think it was being aired in the markets of the two teams that were playing. I believe they started doing local airings in week 2, after they realized how incredibly dumb it was to have Chicago and Orlando have teams playing in a game not on TV while they're watching a Las Vegas game. Jason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 Arena you either love or hate, there is no middle ground and consider this , an almost across the arena pin point pass (this wasnt a jump ball like someone else put it) through 6 guys on a smaller field is alot harder than on a larger, wider field where people can spread out. Yes it is. Kurt Warner, when interviewed in the NFL after making a splashy debut as a Ram in 1999, said "The fields here in the NFL is so wide and long. How can anyone miss?" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 So back to what I asked. What made it so different than any other football? And what was the wrestling tie-in? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ISportsFan 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 Differences (off the top of my head): -Instead of a coin toss, they had a "fumble drill" scramble where the person who gained possession of the ball earned choices for the game. -Cameramen were on the field, players wore microphones. -No extra points: 1 point to go for it from the 3, 2 points from the 5, 3 points from the 10 (or something similar; this rule changed multiple times during the season). -No fair catches, but a halo existed I believe to prevent someone from getting killed. There are more differences, but I can't think of anything else right now. Wrestling tie-ins: -Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were announcers. -The Rock showed up at halftime of a game in Los Angeles I believe. -They ran a storyline where Jesse Ventura and Rusty Tillman (NY coach) were in a feud. Again, more stuff I can't think of off the top of my head. Jason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 -They ran a storyline where Jesse Ventura and Rusty Tillman (NY coach) were in a feud. They should have had an Empty Stadium Match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dobbs 3K 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 I think they started the first broadcast with Steve Austin making a speech...also, every week on RAW Jim Ross would be shilling the XFL, and telling people to beg their newspapers to carry XFL box scores (this was by middle of the season when it was obvious the league was tanking). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slickster 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 Indeed, after further review the WWE has renewed the trademarks on the XFL name (but nothing else). This keeps my XFL flag football league safe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2005 They ran a storyline where Jesse Ventura and Rusty Tillman (NY coach) were in a feud. Which Tillman refused to cooperate with, so it was one-sided on Ventura's part Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
