WWE chief Vince McMahon considers astonishing move to bring back the XFL

Vince McMahon is reportedly considering reviving the failed American football league, the XFL.

In 1999, American broadcaster NBC and the WWE got together to create the professional league but its only season took place during the winter and spring of 2001.

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The league featured eight teams that played 10 games each, and the Los Angeles Xtreme defeated the San Francisco Demons to win the first title.

On Friday, a journalist and wrestling fan named Brad Shepherd tweeted that McMahon could announce the potential return of the XFL on January 25 2018.

At the end of ESPN’s recent “30 for 30” documentary on the league former NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol and the WWE owner – the men who spearheaded the failed rival to the NFL – spoke about giving the XFL another go.

“Do you ever have any thoughts about trying again?” Ebersol asks McMahon, according Pro Football Talk’s transcription.

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“Yes, I do,” McMahon said.

“I don’t know what it would be. I don’t know if it’s going to be another XFL or what it may be or how different I would make it.

“It seems like in some way it would tie in either with the NFL itself or the owners.”

On Saturday, Deadspin’s David Bixenspan got in touch with the WWE regarding the rumours, though the wrestling company neither confirmed or denied the speculation.

The statement read: “Vince McMahon has established and is personally funding a separate entity from WWE, Alpha Entertainment, to explore investment opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscapes, including professional football.

“Mr. McMahon has nothing further to announce at this time.”