10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Dec 22)

3. XFL Players Found Out The League Was Folding Via TV

Xfl Rod Smart
NBC

There wouldn't be interviews with guys like Rod Smart on wrestling websites in 2017, if rumours weren't rife that the XFL was coming back. Smart was one of the star players in WWE's upstart American football league in 2001, and has since been very complimentary about working with Vince McMahon on the project.

Backed by McMahon's millions, Smart believed the XFL just needed time to bed in and show fans of the sport how good the product could be. Imagine his shock, then, as he enjoyed beers and food in a local bar, only to see news reports flash up on TV that the entire idea had been scrapped.

On the Pancakes and Powerslams show, the ex-Las Vegas Outlaws running back said none of the players were told in person that the XFL was doomed. Instead, they all found out via second hand news reports and word of mouth.

Ouch.

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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.