10 Things WWE Fans Need To Know About The XFL

7. Cheerleaders Are Out

XFL Cheerleaders
WWE

Here's another reason why Jerry Lawler wouldn't enjoy himself at XFL games.

Back in 2001, Vince McMahon leaned hard on gratuitous shots of cheerleaders in skimpy clothing to sell his league. Wild extras, such as a behind-the-scenes tour of the women's dressing room, were offered up to horny fans like the NFL were missing a trick by not showing more skin. It was all very kitsch, albeit also distracting from the actual sport.

The world has changed a lot over the past 19 years. WWE would catch a ton of flak if they treated boobs and short skirts like the only reason to tune in, and they themselves treat women with more respect in 2020. That's why, ass-shaking and Girls Gone Wild-style vignettes be damned, cheerleaders have been given the heave-ho.

It's unclear if WWE will reintroduce (male and female) dancers on the sidelines to gee up fans at some stage, but the days of in-your-face sexism are very much gone for the XFL. That's wise. It'd be weird to see siliconed valley girls flirting with everyone one minute, then see Becky Lynch progress her division over on Raw the next.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.