Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia have conquered movies and tequila. Is the XFL next?

The 2023 XFL season is here.

The newest spring football league is looking to fill the void left by the end of the NFL season.

The new XFL shares little in common with its 2001 and ‘20 iterations, both of which did not make it to their second season. The ‘01 variation was hampered by low television viewership and ‘20 by the Covid-19 pandemic.

This iteration has a new ownership team looking to create something that will last.

The XFL was acquired from bankruptcy by an ownership group consisting of WWE superstar and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, producer Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners.

Johnson and Garcia were married for 10 years before divorcing in 2008 and have a relationship dating back to their undergraduate years at the University of Miami.

Ready to begin the next phase in his career, Johnson choose Garcia as his business partner The two have achieved massive amounts of success.

Some of their successful ventures have been Seven Bucks Productions, a production company whose movies have grossed over $4 billion; Teremana Tequila, which has amassed over $300 million in retail sales; and Zoa Energy, which is one of the fastest-growing energy drinks in the U.S.

Can Johnson and Garcia bring similar success to a professional sports league?

Russ Brandon, XFL President and former CEO of the Buffalo Bills, believes they can because he has seen what good ownership can help create.

“We have incredible owners that have given us great latitude and resources to build this the right way,” said Brandon “We’re in this for the long haul from the ownership group down and that’s what gives me the confidence that we’re gonna build a really good successful league.”

The XFL ownership shared Brandon’s confidence when they spoke with the media prior to the league’s season opener between the Arlington Renegades and the Vegas Vipers.

Johnson and Garcia know that running the XFL will be a challenging undergoing and are leaning on their past successes to guide them.

“We took our time, we wanted to do it right, we’re well aware this is the third shot with this thing you don’t know how this shakes our fingers are crossed we got everything crossed,” Johnson said, “it feels like we’re creating something pretty cool.”

“Dwayne and I we’ve been so fortunate to have such a varied portfolio between film, wrestling, Teremana and Zoa,” Garcia said, “this project for us calls for us to bring every skill set we have so we are utilizing every experience for this moment.”

One of those skill sets has been successful collaborations like the one between the XFL and the city of Arlington.

“To have partnership and leadership in Arlington who says yes what else do you need,” Garcia said, “Arlington has been an absolute delight.”

Another focus was getting quality play on the field, the duo has achieved that by partnering with NFL Alumni academy to ensure NFL quality players are in the XFL.

Johnson is focused on what the XFL can be for the players still chasing their professional football dreams.

“We are a league of second chances, we’re a league of grit and passion,” Johnson said, “ I wish I had the XFL around back when I was playing, back when Jesus was alive, we take a lot of pride in that second chance for players.”

The common saying goes ‘third time’s the charm,’ but only time will tell if that holds true for Johnson and Garcia as they attempt to bring their success to the XFL.

Season Opener

The Arlington Renegades beat the Vegas Vipers 22-20 in the XFL season opener at Choctaw Stadium.

Vipers defense dominates

The first half was dominated by the Vipers’ defense, which only allowed three points. The Renegades were unable to get consistent offense only picking up four first downs in the entire first half all of which came on their opening drive.

The Renegades picked up some momentum in the second quarter but still struggled to put up points relying on their stingy defense to set them up in advantageous positions.

Renegades offense can’t find the endzone

After a slow start in the first half the offense finally was able to move the ball in the second half but they couldn’t convert their drives into touchdowns instead settling for three field goals.

The Renegades offense had their best opportunity in the fourth quarter with multiple attempts from the goal line but failed to convert. Despite their offensive struggles, their defense came up huge in the second half.

Renegades defense rebounds in the second half

After allowing two touchdowns in the first half and letting the Vipers find success moving the ball the Renegades defense came to play in the second half. With their offense struggling the Renegades defense took over the game to start the third quarter forcing two turnovers on consecutive possessions.

The Renegades held the Vipers offense scoreless in the second half until the last eight seconds of regulation.

With the game on the line and the Vipers going for a two-point conversion to tie the game, the Renegades defense stood stout one last time to secure the victory.

The defense even took scoring into their own hands, netting two defensive touchdowns via interceptions in the second half. Those defensive scores won the game for the Renegades.

The Renegades next play on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. CT(ESPN 2) against the Houston Roughnecks at TDECU Stadium. The Vipers next play on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. CT(FX and ESPN Deportes) against the DC Defenders at Cashman Field.