Ranking the 2001 XFL Team Names

As we continue to wait for the 2020 XFL team names we thought we would take a stroll down ol’ memory lane. We’re going back to 2001 for the first (and of course the only…until next year) season of the XFL. 

Now in 2001, Vince McMahon promised that the XFL would be New! Innovative! Xtreme! So what better way than to name the team’s something extreme also. Thus they came up with some, somewhat extreme names. The emphasis of the XFL at that time was Xtreme, which I’ve always felt that is what the X stands for and not for “Xtra-fun league” and thought Vince used that as a joke only and never meant for it to be known as that, but that’s just my opinion. 

Once again, like my “Ranking the XFL Head Coaches”, I will not be basing my rankings off any sites or votes these are simply my opinions and thoughts. I like keeping it simple, so let’s just jump right in.

First off…

8 – San Francisco Demons

I guess I just don’t really like the name “Demons” or think it’s very clever. I would’ve rather seen the name “Bandits” over Demons. The logo was pretty plain and looks like a low budget horror movie prop. The uniforms were plain yet somewhat alright but just didn’t work for me.

7 – New York-New Jersey Hitmen

Even though this one is more clever than Demons it still ranks as one of the worst in my opinion. It just doesn’t really say New York, I understand they were going for a mob vibe but still it just doesn’t do it for me! I kinda liked how they did the H in the logo, that looked pretty cool. Once again the uniforms were just too plain.

6 – Birmingham Thunderbolts

The Thunderbolts? Really? I’m sorry but this probably should’ve been ranked the worst but like I said I really don’t like the name Demons! I mean, the name’s not terrible but it doesn’t fit with the “Xtreme” names. I suppose they were aiming to say something like, “Birmingham is as tough as Zeus when he hurls thunderbolts down when he gets pissed off and wants to cause havoc”? For me, this looks too much like the “Chargers” for me and really throws it off as it resembles the look and logo way too much.

5 – Los Angeles Xtreme

What better way to say extreme than to name a team Xtreme? This almost works for me but it’s kinda redundant! But hey, they are still the Champs! The logos kinda cook, looks like a ninja star. Uniforms look like plain…once again.

4 – Memphis Maniax

I really am not too impressed with this name but after knowing some people from Memphis, they kinda are maniacs! Not really, just joking! I did think this was one of the best names that said extreme in the whole league so to me, they nailed it on this one! The Maniax dude always cracks me up, looks like an addict waiting for his next fix! I do like the way the focused on the AX in the name more than Maniax, that’s why they rank higher for me. Plus I think to this point they put a little bit of thought into the uniforms.

3 – Orlando Rage

Yes, this is the simplest one but it still does enough to warrant #3. Orlando did seem to have the rage in the XFL as they had the best overall record and seemed like the sure champs. But they seemed to lose that rage somewhere in their first and only playoff appearance! The logo was cool up to the letters and the outline, and for the second time, they put a little thought into the uniforms.

2 – Las Vegas Outlaws

Outlaws! I love it. I always think of Billy the Kid, Jesse James, Butch Cassidy, and Josey Wales. Just pure badasses! It was a shame they really sucked and had the second-worst record, well tied for second! But anyway, this name screams extreme to me and was one of the best names! The logo for the LV was cool but I really wasn’t feeling that skull tho. Uniforms too plain but the LV saves them…

1 – Chicago Enforcers

I really got to say I loved the name “The Enforcers”! It really sounds great and this too sounds badass. Chicago did enforce the defenses as they put up the 3rd most points in XFL’s history with 186, but then they allowed the most with 184 points. They did go to the playoffs so that’s saying something! Right? The fist coming out making the E is clever. And even though the uniforms were simple, it was slick…perhaps it’s the colors but they just looked really good to me!

So, do you agree or not? Let us know in the comments what you would’ve done differently!