Dwayne Johnson Describes XFL Reopening As Unforgettable And 'Humbling Experience'

Dwayne Johnson is feeling grateful!

The actor bought the American Football league, "XFL," for an estimated 15 million dollars in 2020 alongside other partners, including his ex-wife, Danny Garcia. Three years later, the league is set to reopen, and he recently shared his thoughts on how he feels about it. 

Circumstances beyond its control thwarted the XFL's attempt to relaunch in 2020. The outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in an abbreviated season, and the league faced financial struggles due to a lack of revenue.

In the aftermath of the season's cancellation, the XFL filed for bankruptcy, and the rights to the league were slated for auction in August 2020, where Johnson intervened by purchasing the league. 

As the league is set to begin playing, the former WWE star expressed in a post to his Instagram how unforgettable and humbling the experience was. In the pictures, the "Jumanji" star stood on the field wearing his team's jersey as he spoke into the microphone.

Other slides saw him getting cheered by the crowd gathered in their seats and taking a camera from a fan for a picture. In the caption, he wrote:

"By the grace of blessings, life has come full circle ⭕️💫🙏🏾An incredible opening weekend for our @XFL! Atmosphere was electric at every stadium 🔥🏟️🏈 Our players left it all out on the field and wore their last name and their X with pride. Humbling experience all weekend, that I will never forget. ~ 54 #xfl #owner 📸 @thisisamandaw" 

Fans took to the comments to express their excitement at his comeback to football, like this person who wrote, "Finally The Rock has come back…. To Football!!!" Another noted, "It's amazing how far you have come. Always be a fan forever 🤞❤️." 

While a third person stated, "I love this on so many levels. My son, who loves football, is a huge fan 💙. The imprint you leave behind for the youth is amazing! Blessings always." A fourth fan gushed, "The rock is so inspirational man 😩." 

With this relaunch, football fans can now prepare for another season of professional football. According to NBCSports, the team makes a return for the third time with a new ownership group, updated rules, fresh teams, and a roster of new players and coaches. 

Four games kicked off across the country during the league's opening weekend, with two games on Saturday, February 18, and two on Sunday, February 19. The XFL's regular season will consist of 10 weeks of action in 2023, starting on February 18 and running through April 22.

After the 40-game regular season, fans can look forward to three playoff games: two semifinals that will be held on April 29 and 30, followed by the championship game on May 13.

The XFL is a total of eight teams divided into two divisions – North and South, with their home stadiums and head coaches. The North Division consists of the DC Defenders (Audi Field, Reggie Barlow), Seattle Sea Dragons (Lumen Field, Jim Haslett), St. Louis Battlehawks (The Dome at America's Center, Anthony Becht), and Vegas Viper (Cashman Field, Rod Woodson). 

While the South Division consists of the Arlington Renegades (Choctaw Stadium, Bob Stoops), Houston Roughnecks (TDECU Stadium, Wade Phillips), Orlando Guardians (Camping World Stadium, Terrell Buckley), and San Antonio Brahmas (Alamodome, Hines Ward). 

The young wrestler, who began training at the WWE Performance Center, has a lot to live up to, seeing as her parents are none other than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and professional bodybuilder Danny Garcia. 

Per The Blast, after two years of hard work, Simone, using the professional name Ava Raine, signed a contract with the company. In her highly-anticipated debut, Simone was revealed as the newest member of a prominent wrestling group, stepping into the ring in style.

She made her momentous WWE debut during a live broadcast of WWE NXT, where she was introduced as one of the newest members of The Schism stable. As the other group members were announced, Simone stood in the background, wearing a yellow smiley face mask and a red hoodie.

As her identity was revealed, the audience erupted in cheers of surprise and excitement while she pledged her loyalty to her team. She said, "The love and acceptance the Schism has given me defies any preconceived notions of who I'm supposed to be. This family completes me."